I want your opinion on this

[ghetofabu]

I just wanted know what you all think of this. I heard about it on the way to work on like 3 different radio stations and it seems to be a big thing. No pun intended seriously.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/NEWS/06/19/southwest.passengers/index.html

 

[spinninghead77]

Ouch!! That's a tough one..... I feel bad for larger people who will be out so much money know, but on the same hand why should the airline be losing money from seats that they can't sell!!!!

I am very interested to know what everyone else thinks of this....

 

[Angel]

Ouch! and I just posted a silly 'I need to lose 5lbs' thread. I feel bad for very overweight people. They get judged, and now they are being alienated by the airlines.
I imagine though, the people in question must be extremely obese people... I dunno, I can totally see the airlines point of view, yet at the same time... that's pretty harsh.

Tough call.

 

[daisybean]

I think it is horrible

yes, I can understand the airlines view, but making someone buy an extra ticket because they are overweight is embarassing and insulting!!!!!!

 

[elevatedmole]

I read this earlier.

 

[ABEL]

I heard about this on CNN yesterday morning. I've got mixed feelings on this one.

I agree with spinninghead that while I feel bad for the people who have to go through this, I can see how the airlines have to do something if they are losing $ if someone is taking up two seats. I really wasn't shocked when I hard about the charges though.

Look at it this way, and I'm not saying this to be mean or anything...but even larger size clothes usually cost more than regular size clothes, should larger size people have to pay more for their clothes? Most things that come in larger sizes do cost more, not just clothes.

Perhaps it's just a matter of the airline's approach to this matter could have been different, I dunno.

 

[DrTeeth]

To me it seems like it is the logical thing to do. If you need two seats (for whatever the reason is), then you'd have to pay for them.

 

[Angel]

Look at it this way, and I'm not saying this to be mean or anything...but even larger size clothes usually cost more than regular size clothes, should larger size people have to pay more for their clothes?

Well... more fabric is involved.

I dunno. It's such a hard subject. I dont want to say something that will make me sound incompassionate, because I am so not like that, but how does one get to be so large? Now this is coming from someone who has struggled with her weight her whole life. I have never been what one can say large, or even overweight really, but I have to be really careful as I have the ability to gain easily. However, because I am aware, I can catch it before it gets out of control. I feel bad for people who's weight has gotten out of control because as I said earlier, they get judged by others, but I just find it hard to understand how one gets to be so large? And I am not talking about 30-40 lbs here, I am talking obesity. The kind of people that are the subject of that article.
I feel sad for their health.

 

[Sicy]

Yeah I'd have to agree with Dr. Teeth on that one. Sure its embarrassing and probly makes them feel bad but they were not born overweight. And I dont think they shouldnt get a free seat because of it.

 

[ghetofabu]

Thanks for all the good points of view. I can see both side to. I keep going back and forth on the fence about what I think. I think that the seats are two small regardless of this subject. I fit into a seat perfectly fine with room to spare and I am girl. I feel bad for the guys who are like 6' 3" and have no leg room. Or guys who are built like body builders. I think that are some larger people who have do have real medical problems though that should not be punished for their illness. My mom is a good example. She has a thyroid condition. She does not have any problems though fitting into a airline seat, so it is not really an issue for her. Then there is my other side. The side that had to ride on a 12 plane ride next to someone that was considerably larger and the uncomfort I had to endure. I had like half my seat and that person had the other half plus their own. Then there is the thought "well how do you think they felt being all uncomfortable in their seat" I would think "why should I be punished because of them." I think if the seats were just larger then this would not be a problem, BUT we all know this is not going to happen anytime in the near future. Then there is the issue of how big would you make the seats. There is always going to be someone out there to big for the seat. You can see how I am going back and forth on this. I think I would have been good if I had taken a debate class in high school. I could argue both points about topics, even ones I don't agree with. I really just don't know about this one.

 

[Rono]

Yeah I'd have to agree with Dr. Teeth on that one. Sure its embarrassing and probly makes them feel bad but they were not born overweight. And I dont think they shouldnt get a free seat because of it.

And when you are got overweight from using medication ? Ore you had parents that not take care for a healty lifestile. I mean, if you got fatcells in your youth they will always be there ( they do not disapeare ) so you always have the chance to grow fat. And people with mental eating disorder ?



Is it still going bad with the American air industry ? This is a nice way to sell some extra seats.

 

[spinninghead77]

Another problem with this issue is where to draw the line.... Are overweight people going to have to start buying two tickets at the movie theatre, and paying two admission prices at an amusment parK???

 

[JessicaAnn]

Whether you're skinny or not, airplane seats are just too damn small. Especially on Southwest ... or as I call them Southworst. I have flown with them once in my life and never again. Yes, they're cheap, but I felt like I the passengers were cattle being herded onto the plane. The flight attendants were rude and cranky.

I am not sure if I agree with them paying for another full fare ... that seems to be somewhat discriminatory. Maybe airlines are trying to recoup losses in the wake of Sept. 11. four flights I have been on since Sept. 11, they planes have not been full at all ... hopefully other airlines will not follow this trend.

 

[Lemonite]

A lot of people who are in their mind thinking 'That's only fair for them to pay for what they use'.. won't say it because then they'll feel bad about themselves, But it is only fair.. Otherwise.. If you don't want to pay for another seat.. Then Don't fly.

Sure people have a liberty to be fat, skinny, smoke, or do whatever the hell they want, but when other people have to take up on their burden as in this airline issue in regards to seats, Then the individual who is fat in this case must take their consequences in stride.

I mean, If we're going to be sensitive.. don't tall girls feel 'discriminated against' due to all the 'petite' fashions out there and very few 'tall styles' (Firsthand account of my mother shopping).. Don't short kids feel 'discriminated against' if they're under that line to ride a roller coaster ( A line which in my youth prevented me from getting on Thunder Mountain.. or maybe it was the Cowboy enforcing that line.. i mean.. geezus.. that guy has a pistol.. two of em.) Is that Fair?.. I'll quote someone from a racism post a while back .. 'Get Over It'.. I'd prefer 'Deal with It'


L.Unplugged

 

[Angel]

Ok, so my boss had a good point--> they could fly first class. The seats are bigger up there, and it would probably be cheaper in the long run then buying two economy seats. But then, what do I know? I am just a peasant and only fly first class when I get Bumped.
She also suggested that they have a row or a small section where there were a few larger seats for obese people, but then there is the question of segregation.

It really is a tough call and a no win situation. Quite an interesting discussion.

 

[ghetofabu]

Maybe airlines are trying to recoup losses in the wake of Sept. 11.

Actually, they are the only ones who have not reported losses since then. Not immediate of course but later up to recently.

 

[JessicaAnn]

Ok ... so Southwest is going to implement this policy for heavy people. Well what are they going to do about a disabled person who needs a little extra room? Or a pregnant woman? Or an elderly person?

Will they all be charged?

It seems that this policy is a slippery slope ... if you're going to charge for one type of person, you have to charge everyone based on the same standards in order to be fair.

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

it seems like they will enforce this to anyone who needs more room. if a tall person needs an extra seat (i dunno why, but i think the article mentioned this), they'd have to pay for one. it makes sense, it's not discriminatory since it applies to ANYONE needing two seats, but the problem is, is that most of the people who will fall under needing two seats are overweight people.

 

[U2Bama]

...and also, Southwest doesn't have "first class;" their theme is no-frills and all of the seats are the same. I have never had a bad experience flying with thtem though.

~U2Alabama

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

i should mention that i've never flown southwest. at my airport, northwest all but has a monopoly on it. three terminals and they take up one and a half!!! so i've mostly flown with them. i've also flown with delta, american airlines, and umm is there one called united airlines? lol i don't remember cuz most of the flights i went on when it wasn't through northwest were when i was in florida flying to BWI airport when i was six!

 

[ghetofabu]

Ok ... so Southwest is going to implement this policy for heavy people. Well what are they going to do about a disabled person who needs a little extra room? Or a pregnant woman? Or an elderly person?

Will they all be charged?

Actually no. They can't do that. They have procedures for those people in play. I did a little bit of research on this. I do not mean to sound like I am shooting all your comments down. It is my intention and I can see where you are coming from. They are valid points.

 

[BAW]

Other airlines also have this policy and use it at their discretion..some charge half the regular fare for the second seat.

I don't like seeing anyone embarrased because they are overweight but an airline is a business and business need to make money...their job is to get a passenger from point A to point B and they charge by the seat. Why should someone take up 2 seats and not pay for it?

 

[ghetofabu]

Other airlines also have this policy and use it at their discretion..some charge half the regular fare for the second seat.

I don't like seeing anyone embarrased because they are overweight but an airline is a business and business need to make money...their job is to get a passenger from point A to point B and they charge by the seat. Why should someone take up 2 seats and not pay for it?

That is a very good short and to the point answer.

 

[foray]

Big people aren't just paying extra for the space. They're also paying for the weight. Doesn't that make it fair, since we agree to pay extra for extra baggage?

foray

 

[ghetofabu]

uuuuuuuhhhhhh. I don't really know if you could use that one as a valid point.

 

[Stories for Boys]

this is a real tough issue. so, i can't exactly say...i mean, you say you aren't born overweight, but there are genes that make metabolism slow...i'm not fat (and i don't think i am), but i am a big person...i'm not "petit" and it's not my fault...i eat reasonably healthy and i exercise tons...i mean, if someone were like me, i think it's unfair...it depends on the case, i guess...

 

[ghetofabu]

I think that is what it is with me. I can't really see it as cut and dry. I think there are too many variables involved and that is what is keeping me from picking a side.

 

[MissZooropa]

My personal opinion about this is not made up yet, it's tough.

But a thought that occured to me after reading a a thread in Free your mind about American Freedom is that alot of people in there meant that for example health care wasn't a right because that means that someone else has to help pay for those who can't pay for themselves, via taxes and that was to increase someones personal freedom.

If you transfer that thought to this. If big people won't have to pay for two seats if they need it it means that the airline has to get the money for that lost seat from somewhere else, most likely on the price on the rest of the tickets which is pretty much the same as charge more tax from everyone to be able to give everyone health care.
So is it a right to take a flight?

I don't say that this is my opinion, just something that I came to think of after what was said in that thread and that can be compared to this. Specially since alot of people say that you not always can help being big, which I agree on, partly. Just like you can't help if you get sick. Should you be given "help" in both cases, none or in one of them, if so which one and for what reasons?

I have no idea if anyone who has answered here also participated in that thread, if so, what your opinion were, so I'm not picking on anyone, just thinking.

 

[Kieran McConville]

There is an absurdity at work here, but I cannot quite place my finger on it.

Lemonite, I wonder what you have had to deal with in your time. Really. It's easy to be righteous, straight shootin', no-bullshit. After all, everyone who disagrees with you is simply a PC, lilly-livered pinko socialist, right? Yeah, I thought so.

Don't mind me, I'm just drunk. Flame away.

 

[Lemonite]

But a thought that occured to me after reading a a thread in Free your mind about American Freedom is that alot of people in there meant that for example health care wasn't a right because that means that someone else has to help pay for those who can't pay for themselves, via taxes and that was to increase someones personal freedom.

If you transfer that thought to this. If big people won't have to pay for two seats if they need it it means that the airline has to get the money for that lost seat from somewhere else, most likely on the price on the rest of the tickets which is pretty much the same as charge more tax from everyone to be able to give everyone health care.

This is exactly right... It's your body to do with as you wish.. Hell, for all I care you can be 800 pounds, Buuuut, when your 800 pounds becomes a burden that I have to take up the consequences for your 800 pounds, that's where arguments begin, and My Personal liberties are being compromised.

Kieran.. Ah yes.. the drunk post.. There are times for discretion, and there are times for 'straight shootin' as you put it.. The key is to be straight shootin' at all times, but know when to use discretion.. That's all I'm advocating.. I just don't want to see people acting like d@mned fools all the time.. Many people just want to feel good about themselves.. and THAT is WronG. See you on the way up?..

L.Unplugged