Comments on: Should the obese pay more for seats?

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:38:30 +0000

Americans need to get in shape! NOWHERE else in the world are there such large people.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:35:06 +0000

Absolutely! It is not fair to others sitting next to a person who is overweight. I pay for my own seat and don’t expect to have to share it with someone else. If a person doesn’t fit comfortably into a single seat then they should buy two seats. If it embarrasses the overweight person… perhaps they’ll get motivated to get some help with their condition.

By: ingrid

ingrid — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:29:18 +0000

Why don’t we just change the size of the seats, that are really small and uncomfortable?

By: ingrid

ingrid — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:27:07 +0000

And what happens with the people who smell too much? and those too tall? are we going to put taxes on people for physical problems or illnesses? because we musn’t forget that obesity is an illness.
I am fed up with those comments like “he/she is fat because he/she wants to”. And those who smoke?
Eating, like smoking or drinking is not just a question of will….they need help and comprehension, and not bad words.

By: 5280 High

5280 High — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:48:59 +0000

This problem copuld be solved by manufacturing armrests that do not move up and down. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of sitting next to a morbidly obese person on a transcontinental flight and she wanted to raise the armrest between the seats. Although I understood why, I could not allow her to encroach into “my” space. I felt bad that I had to deny her that option and push the armrest back down. As a customer, I should not have to make that decision,nor should the flight crew. Planes are flown with cargo as well as passengers and the weight and balance are very important in calculating the amount of fuel the plane can carry. Airlines are losing money by not charging overwieght people for the extra room they need.

Those who consume more resources should pay for them….like families with 19 children who expect the rest of us to pay more taxes that allow their 19 kids to attend school. If people are going to complain about the national debt and taxes, then everyone will need to be willing to pay more for things they want.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:37:42 +0000

I am curious if the author is overweight,as the article seems to be weighted (sorry bias) in defense of overweight folks.
Obesity is not normal, and the less socially acceptable it is the more people will take action and change their lifestyle to minimize it. Additionally, those who demomstate physical responsibility should not have to bare the burden financially, or otherwise of those who do not.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:12:07 +0000

This is not a weight issue (the aircraft can handle the load) but, it is a VOLUME issue as there is a limited volume, hence passenger capacity n the aircraft cabin. So charge customers accordingly, if a passenger requires 2 seats volumetrically, then I should be charged for 2 seats. Think of the weight loss incentive here, saving americans millions in excessive health care costs.

By: George

George — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:47:51 +0000

The airlines should give them the option of paying extra to sit in the passenger section or flying in the cargo hold as air freight.

By: Straight_Up

Straight_Up — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:22:47 +0000

It is this simple: Airlines are a private business and should implement any policy they want or need to operate a profitable business…within the legal limits of the law.

If an airline makes certain I am not inconvenienced or made uncomfortable by one of these foodies, then I am more likely to fly their airline (Southwest). If an airline doesn’t have a policy and places me next to a bulging blob, then I have the ability to request a seat change, request a refund or simply suck it up and ride next to this person. I personally have done all three and do not recommend the third…

Let the market decide

Straight Up

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:07:39 +0000

Yes, flat tax or surcharge for obese people taking up space in adjoining seats. Avoid the tax, loose weight!