"Customers of Size"
 

Hey,

How do you all feel about airlines making "customers of size" buy 2 seats on an airplane? Do you think they should provide a few larger seats in the back for these people? Or is it fair that they have to buy 2?

I mean I see both sides. While they are only 1 person...the airline could potentially lose a lot of money if they only made them pay for 1 seat. Imagine that an air craft has 100 seats and half of them were taken by larger people (I know it's a stretch..but for example) That airline wouldlose 25% of the money. It may be discriminatory though. Does anyone know if there are laws or anything. I actually think it's fair to charge them for 2 seats, if they are occuping 2 seats.

I've heard of airlines requiring "larger" passengers to pay for two seats or upgrade to first class because they can't fit in a regular coach-class seat.

On the one hand, I don't like the idea of heavier passengers being forced to pay double, especially if they're overweight through no fault of their own (hormone imbalance etc), and/or if the flight isn't full.

On the other hand, I've been in the middle seat between two heavy passengers on more than one occasion. It is most unpleasant! Especially if the one in the aisle seat falls asleep and you have to use the restroom...!

What the airlines should do, is make the darn coach seats bigger. But then, they'd be able to fit fewer seats in each aircraft, and that would bring in less revenue... it's all about the almighty dollar...

I also see both sides to this, but...

I was on the way to Chicago, and in a row with 3 seats. I always sit on the aisle (personal preference). An absolutely huge woman who was flying standby took the window seat. The armrest had to be raised, and two of the extenders for the seat belt also helped her - and she still was rubbed up against me!

Granted, this is an extreme case, as she had to weigh at least 400 pounds (I have clients over 400 pounds, I know what it looks like), but if the passenger can fly without extenders or raising the armrest, I don't think they should have to pay extra.

Unless it's a small plane, like a 12 seater. Then, all bets are off!

Good. It should be done. It's the same thing as a tax and you tax people who gamble, who smoke, who drink, you tax larger cars - so why tax not those who eat more?

However, if there is a legitimate health reason that adds weight onto your body, I am in favor of tax deductions.

-Rudey
--And now I'm back to eating thai and working

There should be a couple bench seats available. There could maybe be a small extra charge for these seats, like maybe $40, but not a full fare. I'm guessing that even if everyone on the flight was Lara Flynn Boyle size, the bench seats would be full, because some people have MAJOR issues with personal space.

This is probably the most reasonable proposition I've seen thus far!!

And how would these bench seats work? where would the seatbelts be?

-Rudey

They would be big adjustable seatbelts Rudith. :) Like we had on our 1966 Plymouth.

Re: "Customers of Size"
 

It depends on whether i have to sit right next to them :)

A better analogy would be a hamburger value meal. You get the same thing no matter which size you order...but you pay MORE the bigger the value meal gets (quatity wise).

I can see the airline's point. A bigger person that takes up two seats is therefore getting more "bang for their buck"...or in this case buying the supersized value meal. No, I don't believe it's fair or right, but that is the airline's choice. There has to be some happy medium.

ETA!!!!!
Now that I posted I have a better, more perplexing question. I assume that those who are in wheelchairs cannot fly in regular coach (due to lack of room). So, because of their disability and requirements to fly (possibly) first class, how is that fair? I do know that the first row of coach in some planes are more roomy, but what if?!?!?! Hope this makes sense!

In an airplane, what you're paying for is space. If you take up two seats, you should pay for two seats.

To be fair though, if they buy two seats, they definitely should get two bags of peanuts.

No my system works better. It's a sin tax. Those that aren't sinning and have health issues would be protected through deductions.

-Rudey
--Thus wheelchair bound people would be able to take deductions just as certain handicaps allow on your taxes

A sin tax huh? Well then we'd all better be taxed because I don't know a single person that hasn't sinned...

Haha!!

Isn't that just perpetuating the problem?

Kitso
KS 361

HAHAHA at all the "2 bags of peanuts" comments! :D

And regarding the wheelchair thing, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that they take the person out of the wheelchair, put them in the airplane seat, buckle them in, and fold up the wheelchair and store it. They're not just rolling around the aisles in their wheelchair - the safest spot for everyone is in the airplane seats. So, no, they don't automatically get first class.

Admittedly, I haven't flown very much, but I've never seen anywhere they could buckle down a wheelchair safely (you know, like the brackets they have on buses).

No that's what they're called - taxes on gambling, liquor, tobacco, etc. are considered sin taxes.

-Rudey

I understand that they're called that for a reason...
Maybe we should tax condoms or birth control for single people cuz that's a sin. You know what I mean?

They heavily tax those things already...

Some people are on birth control to regulate their periods so I guess that wouldn't be considered a sin.

Of course sometimes I wonder if thoese people are lying. ;)

Yes, that's how wheelchair bound are handled. I once brought a great aunt into town that way.

Rudith, I like your idea of a sin tax. I truthfully don't know why some airlines don't just have another range of seats - there could be first class, middle class, and coach, or something.

My very favorite place to sit on a plane is in the last row - you get a little bit more room and get to board first. :)

EWWWW that's gross. You're in the back with the gross people, the bathrooms, the area where they have all the flight attendant crap.

I choose emergency aisle seats or front row. I don't care about boarding. I always walk right up even when they don't call my row. If they say anything about not calling my row, I come up with some BS like how I have asthma and need more time to walk on, etc.

I also try and convince anyone sitting next to me to move if I see another open seat - unless I find them amusing. Also, any shared property, like arm rests, is mine.

-Rudey
--Really, I'm fun to fly with.

that's exactly how i am. although i do prefer seats towards the front of the plane since that means i can get off the plane that much faster.

Exactly. Tell them you've sprained your ankle and walk on first. Then just walk normally out the door since the first row leaves before the others.

-Rudey
--Oh and always ask for drinks after they've been served during the flight, just to get your money's worth.

I dunno,

i prefer to be anywhere not directly next to the turbines. In my warped sense of thinking i figure that increases my chance of survival should the turbine explode or something.

Seriously, i never used to be nervous about flying until my trip to State College last fall.

That being said, i'm a window guy, with no row preference.

Kitso
KS 361

I have GOT to have a window. This summer when I flew down South I picked a flight that left early in the morning and gave me a looong layover just because it was the only one with window seats left.

Re: "Customers of Size"
 

Speaking as a *former* "customer of size", I can see both points of view, but how do you determine whether or not that person will *need* two seats (especially if they book their ticket online, as more and more people are doing)? At my heaviest, I was over three hundred pounds, yet I still was able to fit just fine in one seat with the armrests down. Most people that book their ticket online aren't required to check something about needing extra room, so it wouldn't be determined that this is someone who needs *2 seats* until they check in before the flight, and by that time usually the entire flight is full and there'd be no 2nd seat for the person.

Just my personal .02 :)

But someone who is quite large, and flies a lot knows how much room they need.
If I knew I needed the extra space I sure as hell wouldn't want to be uncomfortable on a long flight.

Hijack...
I was originally put on them because of that very reason. Unless I am on them, I still have whack cycles. :rolleyes:
The only time I will get off of them is if I TTC (try to conceive)

BC Pills are expensive if you don't have insurance but they are not taxed...

End Hijack

Back OT:

How do you rule if a person is too big for one seat? Do ya have a scale next to the ticket counter? I see the point but it could be bordering on discrimination, ya know?

SO VERY WRONG.

How many of us have been SMUSHED against the window due to a ginormous person?

All that means is that ginormous person is in denial about their size.

I've been smushed by very large people. And come on, you know how big you are, you don't need to have someone tell you, so why do you insist and making everyone else uncomfortable.
In that case I'll make my opinion known.

Ok as far as buying online, what about something to the effect of:
# of Seats: Please keep in mind that CattleCar Airlines puts its customers' comfort first. If you feel that the size of our chairs may inhibit your personal comfort or the people around you, please consider buying two, with the second being 25% off. Flight attendants reserve the right to request you purchase two seats if they deem necessary. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Gheyness, but I'm sorry, it might not be your fault you're "of size", but it's not mine either. Flying into O'Hare last year, this guy next to me was so big (and only in the middle, it was weird) that I couldn't even get my tray table down. I'm not kidding. I waited to eat until after he went to the bathroom. Fun times.

i think they should have to pay extra, but definitely not full fare.

i like the idea of several larger seats on a plane and having those be more expensive.

Make them pay double, I fly quite a few times a year and its a pain in the butt to sit next to these porkers christ. Would it kill them to exercise?

would it kill you to use some tact?

Why don't they just make chair that will accomodate "customers of size" instead of making them pay for two seats. Does anyone see the wrong in this or is it just me?

The companies see something wrong with it and I think that's why this hasn't already been put into gear. Making the bigger seats means taking up more space on the plane which means that less seats and less paying customers can be serviced on each flight.