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Fat people on planes

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Milanos, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. Tricia

    Tricia Level IV

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    It is discrimination. Doesn't matter if you have a choice about being fat; it's still discrimination if you're treated in a negative way because of it. Otherwise, we could all be derogatory about religious people, people who wear different clothes to us, people who listen to different music, etc. and say "Hey, it's not discrimination because they can change those things if they want to!"

    Some people have genuine medical problems that cause them to be fat. Are you going to screen everyone to make sure it's not one of these people you are discriminating against then?

    If we're going to start this, why not ban kids as well? Or make them pay more so the cost puts them off? In my experience, annoying little brats cause far more discomfort to far more people than 'fat' passengers do.
     
  2. PrinceErik

    PrinceErik Level IV

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    It is not discrimination because they are taking up the extra space. Why couldn't an airline charge by the amount of space taken up?
     
  3. Spit

    Spit Level II

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    I agree.
    it is really discriminating.
    I for one really dont like fat ppl.
    They are gross to look at.
    Eat horrible and never excersize which is key to looking good and feeling young.

    They say some ppl get fat cause food helps them feel better.
    I understand this since im a smoker.
    But at least excersize or eat alot of healthy food XD

    I think we could fix this if we could just get mcdonalds and other fastfood places to get better food in.
    Plus stuff in the grocery store. Its really hard nowadays to buy food that really is good for you with nothing bad in it.
     
  4. Naff

    Naff Level II

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    I agree that they should have to pay for two seats. My dad is in the airline business and we fly non-rev all the time which basically means we get all of the open seats left on the plane. Ive sat next to many..interesting people, including obese people. It is very uncomfortable for me, so i agree that if you are over a certain weight, just like luggage, you either have to pay more for it, or buy two seats if you are the size of two people.
     
  5. Lightning

    Lightning Administrator
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    Well, I find it that this is very mean, but it is necessary for business. Yeah, they take up two seats, but I'd find it kinda hard to break it to them that they are obese and need to pay for two seats. I'm neutral on it, so...
     
  6. Phee

    Phee Moderator
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    Yes. If they have a medical condition, insurance should cover the extra charge (should, not would). Charge based on BMI, or on waist/height measurement proportions. It's unfair to both the airlines and to other passengers, who have to to pay extra on their tickets to offset the extra cost of bigger people. And if you "spill over" your seat, you should have to buy two seats.

    Harsh but true. It's the same with boutiques that charge more for bigger sizes, because the bigger sizes require more fabric (though in that case, it's usually ridiculous because the extra inches of fabric cost only a few cents extra).
     
  7. Attempt

    Attempt Level II

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    believe it or not but In the future we all will be fat. I think it would be fair, but as soon as you do that your "Singling out" one group of people and you know the Race Card will be used and Cruelty to overweight people will be thrown around. The Simple fix is never Simple.

    Though it would be fair to charge them for the extra seat they are taking and the fuel that they are burning, But lets look at this in a differnt light.


    Airlines Suited for Larger people, The Price Will be More Expensive BUT! you will bury it in "Fee's" =) Seats will be larger, charge for food in the air (fattys gotta eat)


    ok im done rambling XD
     
  8. jhedra

    jhedra Level I

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    I think it's kinda unfair, honestly. It really depends though, I mean you'll probably only get max two or three fat people like that on this plane, and I've never seen a fat person that can walk/move around that would take up two seats so.. :/ Why make them pay more?

    That's like charging anorexic people half the price because they don't take up all the seat. :S
     
  9. llnight

    llnight Level I

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    I'm not sure, because I think there should have "Fat People Sits"
    Pay more, but not 2x the normal one..
     
  10. NeoLisa

    NeoLisa Level I

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    I can see both sides - paying double is a bit rediculous considering some of the prices of flights these days...

    but I agree with it. It's also a motivator for overweight people to get their butts into gear and lose some weight.
     
  11. casraecal

    casraecal Level I

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    I think that "larger" people should have to buy 2 seat if they don't fit. Its just like everywhere else. Theme parks you have to be able to fit properly in the seat to get on the ride. And everything from Bed frames to Bicycles have weight limits on them, and these weight limits apply to people without offending them. So why should they not have a weight or size limit on airplane seat? They should either make them buy two seats or perhaps the airlines could provide seat that are a bit larger in the coach class specifically for there "heavier set" passengers
     
  12. BlazinDivah

    BlazinDivah Level III

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    ahh, Id have to say I STRONGLY agree with those who think obese ppl should have to pay a larger ticket price. I once (on a trip to europe which is 8ish hours) was seated in "window seat" which I frist thought (and usually assume) was GREAT. Intil, of course I realized I was sharing an 8 hour flight with a friendly but in deed obese lady. Getting up just to use the washroom or stretch was a hassle for me on its own. Ohh boy. Absoloutly, something should be done about this :D
     
  13. Ofek

    Ofek Level I

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    This thread is mean XD

    I don't think they have to pay for an extra seat...I think the people sitting next to them just have to "suck it up".
    They're people too you know :p
     
  14. eloisesa

    eloisesa Level II

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    i dont feel that over weight people should pay for two seats, tht can just be degrading, but i also agree that the person next to them will have to suffer, but then its olny a plane journey, as long as the person comfortable when they get to their destination
     
  15. Similius

    Similius Level II

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    All I know is that it can be pretty disturbing when you are seated next to truly "fat people" in a plane. Its just a fact, I have experienced it twice :| .

    Since you pay a good deal of money for a ticket, you should be able to sit comfortable during a flight, since its part of the service the airlinecompany is providing. Should this not be the case, the employees ought to solve the problem in a creative way but alas..
     
  16. draze

    draze Level II

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    I have been stuck beside a large person before, they may not have been able to help, or they could have over eaten, it doesn't really matter. Airlines aren't designed for the morbidly obese type, and they do try to fill as many seats as possible for each flight. If 2 seats are taken up by one person, does it matter if the plane is not full, if there are extra seats? I don't think so. But I do think the airlines should have the right to charge extra for a person that is above a certain girth to allow for the extra space taken up if it is a flight that is usually full, and they could lose a space on the plane because of one person.

    If you go to the carnival / fair and try to get on a kiddy ride, but can't because you are over 3-4 feet tall, you are technically being discriminated against, but it's for your own good. Maybe there is just as good a reason for the larger people to pay for the extra seat, maybe it's safety related. I mean, you have to be able to open the emergency exit to sit by the Emergency Exit door, aren't those unable to open the door being discriminated against? You can argue view points all day, it's going to come down to business (and hopefully safety regulations) before someone's feelings. I for one have never seen a racial minority charged double just for being a minority.

    As for the fat being a choice or not. Does it really matter? I know there is possibly genes that can make certain people more capable of being over weight than others, and make it harder for them to lose weight, but have you ever watch Biggest Loser? If you eat right and work hard enough, you can lower your weight, maybe not to be super skinny, but you can make yourself more healthy if you really want to. It may just be harder for you than it is for the next guy, but hey, you have something to brag about, because you actually worked to get healthy and care enough about yourself to do so. And I'm talking about excess fat here, I'm not talking about people with large tumors, because I know there is no way to work those off with exercise...