markbyte said:I think United is justified in this practice because United is forced to expend more resources to accommodate an obese person. More weight = more jet fuel used. This is a simple matter of physics.Conversely, when I fly with my 7yo, should he pay a fare relative to his weight (< 50lbs) as well? I'm all for that!

squirrelproductions said:markbyte said:I think United is justified in this practice because United is forced to expend more resources to accommodate an obese person. More weight = more jet fuel used. This is a simple matter of physics.Conversely, when I fly with my 7yo, should he pay a fare relative to his weight (< 50lbs) as well? I'm all for that!

I wish it worked that way so that I could take my dog on a trip at a fraction of the cost. But, in the case of your 7 year old, they have to reserver a full seat for him thus the full charge.

Hope the other transportation systems (buses, subways, and taxis) follow the change as well.

"Weigh yourself before getting on!"

LOL!

What'll be more funny is that watching all those fatsos with pickets "Human rights! Human rights! All men/women are equal!!"

Now.
The potential problem is that once most of the airlines begin to charge for fatsos, the ones that don't charge will be literally PACKED with fatsos!
And with a bad/ignorant luck, one of us, a "normal" human being, books the flight...
Ugh!

qcumber98 said:I had to sit next to a heavyset dude on a United flight once. He sat in the middle seat between me and someone else. The armrests were up but he looked more uncomfortable than I was. During the entire flight, he sat leaning slightly forward with his arms in front and his hands on his lap. For 1.5 hours, he never moved until we arrived at the gate. I like to think that he was being considerate and did us a favor that day by not leaning back.

unfortunately this seems to be the exception rather than norm in my flying experiences.

International flights are better since I usually pick 2-5-2 config planes and my wife is always traveling with me. But for domestic it's hard to avoid 3-3 config and I am bound to have someone sticking his/her elbow or fat on my stomach for the whole flight

This hits home for me. I am not what you would call small. I stand 6'6" tall and weigh in at 380 lbs. Size 15 shoe. I hate flying. There is no room for me. Its not the width, but the leg room. I can buckle in without the extension, so I guess I will not get charged extra. But what's next. I know to most it's ok attack fat people, smokers, etc. But what comes next. The airlines need to take a hard look at their business plan. I don’t think this will work out for them in the end.

SimpleCypher said:It is about time. I fly almost every week and absolutely hate it when I get stuck next to someone who pushes up the armrests b/c they can't fit and infringe upon my space. I hope all airlines follow suit.

? I also fly weekly (I love my consulting job), and have yet to sit next to a hugely fat person.

That is the reason I lost my weight in the first place. I weighed 429 and faced a long flight back from Salt Lake City. I was that guy imposing on the little lady next to me. After that day, I swore I was going to do something, and lost 211 pounds in the next 15 months. That was 5 years ago.

I can see the need, but what a horrible position to be in both from the clerk at the gate to the guy or gal being told.

tedmales said:This hits home for me. I am not what you would call small. I stand 6'6" tall and weigh in at 380 lbs. Size 15 shoe. I hate flying. There is no room for me. Its not the width, but the leg room. I can buckle in without the extension, so I guess I will not get charged extra. But what's next. I know to most it's ok attack fat people, smokers, etc. But what comes next. The airlines need to take a hard look at their business plan. I don’t think this will work out for them in the end.

So maybe you shouldn't fly if it's that unpleasant for you.
Just imagine how unpleasant it must be for the person who has sit next toy you, with you spilling onto them.

Everyone talks about their "space" being invaded.... Can we charge more for those "skinny/normal" people who have B.O. or bad breath? Cuz really... that "invades" my space too... hmmm

I personally am shocked at some of the responses on here... I assumed most members were adults but dang... Most of these replies sound like they are coming from high schoolers. I have bigger family members and bigger friends and think it's rather offensive when we have to call each other names.

There is no NORMAL... If you think your normal I bet I can find someone who thinks your fat... SO get over yourselfs already! Argh ok off the soapbox... Walking away from this thread... Shaking my head...

It's about time! I have sat next to very obese people before or should I say that they partially sat on me. Very uncomfortable for those stuck next to them.