"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!!