Dianna59 said:You know, this is going to cause those people who are charged with this to sue not only the airlines but against the united states for discrimination or who knows what. I am not defending them because I don't have to worry about this, but it just seems like anyone and everyone yell discrimination whenever something changes. Not sure what will happen with this.

Of course, anyone can sue anyone else in the USA. The courts will decide if they are successful. However, obeseity is not a protected class so they can't really sue for discrimination. If they can somehow show their obesity qualifies as a disability (as defined by the discrimination laws), maybe they would at least have an arguement. I just don't see that anyone will be sucessful with such a lawsuit. That means that a lawyer would want to be paid a retainer to take the case - lawyers rarely take cases on a contingency basis unless they are fairly certain they'l win.

Did anyone successfully sue Southwest when they implemented the policy years ago? I'm guessing not since Southwest has maintained a similar policy for years.

That being said, I'd love to see one of these lawsuits on Judge Judy or the People's Court....

bippie said:Dianna59 said:You know, this is going to cause those people who are charged with this to sue not only the airlines but against the united states for discrimination or who knows what. I am not defending them because I don't have to worry about this, but it just seems like anyone and everyone yell discrimination whenever something changes. Not sure what will happen with this.

Of course, anyone can sue anyone else in the USA. The courts will decide if they are successful. However, obeseity is not a protected class so they can't really sue for discrimination. If they can somehow show their obesity qualifies as a disability (as defined by the discrimination laws), maybe they would at least have an arguement. I just don't see that anyone will be sucessful with such a lawsuit. That means that a lawyer would want to be paid a retainer to take the case - lawyers rarely take cases on a contingency basis unless they are fairly certain they'l win.

Did anyone successfully sue Southwest when they implemented the policy years ago? I'm guessing not since Southwest has maintained a similar policy for years.

That being said, I'd love to see one of these lawsuits on Judge Judy or the People's Court....

Obesity isn't deemed a protected class but with moves like this I'm not sure it will stay that way. I'm also not sure why I'm surprised but the level of vehemence here towards overweight and obese people has surprised me. I only read the 1st page of replies but don't think I want or need to read more. If we're going to keep "fat" people off planes or charge them extra then I'd also like to see those a$$holes who invade your space by taking both arm rests, or sitting with their legs spread such that you have to keep yours squeezed together or rub up against the person for X hours of the flight charged more as well. While you're at it why not add all the other stupid prejudices against fat people. In addition to being overweight, fat people are dumber, duller, dirtier, etc than people who are height/weight proportional. I've learned that I can never walk in another man's (or woman's) shoes and since I'm not able to do that I can't judge them based on what I see on the outside. If we were all Buddhists I suspect that the majority of people posting to this thread would come back as dung beetles in their next life. My $0.02. No charge!

Longhorn

Since they buy two tickets they are allowed for two portions of food and munchies (if they serve!)
Sweeten the deal.

Mickie3 said:jaideemak said:Mickie3 said:markbyte said: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.


Apparently, you are talking out your @$$ on this topic as I have flown my pets numerous times and have never been charged full fare or even anything close to it for them. If they will fit in a carrier that will go under a seat, there is one rate. If they are too large for that, they pay the cargo rate and go into a special area of the cargo holds.

Prices for travelling with pets have gone up drastically since about Oct or Nov of last year. There are also numerous restrictions (how many pets per flight, where you can sit, size of carrier of course etc.) and your pet takes the place of your carry on luggage, forcing you to check luggage. Southwest doesn't even accept pets in the cabin. United you're looking at at least $250 return, $500 return checked in cargo, and cargo rates for unaccompanied dogs. That's domestic of course. Way more for international.

Sorry for the off topic rant but I guess my point is maybe you are the one talking out of your ass. Maybe it's been a few years since you've flown with your pets, or maybe your pets are hamsters or rabbits.


Well, a check of Delta (don't do Southwest) still shows:
$150 for in-cabin (in cabin rates for Delta)

and

$178.25 and up, depending on size and weight for checked baggage option for pets
(Pets as checked baggage on Delta)

United has a charge of $175 (in cabin and 175 & up as cargo) per their web page United Pet Travel Info

You numbers of $250 & 500 are way higher than 150, 175, 178, so not sure where you came up with those numbers, but due to the content of your other posts, guess you just made them up.

My numbers were RETURN and noted so. Will you shut up now?

how about a fee for those who bring their babies or punk kid on a flight and they won't shutup. we had a woman shaking a dam rattle on a transatlantic flight last october on multiple occasions to try and get her 2 month old to be quiet. never wanted to punch someone that bad before in my life.

tedmales said:

I think the airlines need to come up with a business/semi first class layout with a little more room for more money. First class tickets are way out of reach for most people, but a 25% charge for more room would be great. And with less people, they would need less staff, and could carry more cargo and generate income that route.

United has this. They call it Economy plus!

bamadad said:Will they charge for length ..... (tall people) as well, who have knees that stick in my back. They have to rent the seat in front. LOL.

Hahaha, yeah, those darn tall people who... who... do whatever they did to get tall too much. They should... do less of that thing that made them tall... you know...

It's all the 'tall you can eat' buffets.

As one of the fatties you all seem to enjoy complaining about, please note that we are as uncomfortable about the situation as you are. I personally am more uncomfortable about YOUR discomfort than I am my own. While, according to the regulations listed here, I wouldn't have to pay for 2 seats (because I only need a single extension),I am aware of the perception of others because of my size (5'10" 380#). It was mentioned above that if obesity was due to a medical condition it should be free per ADA requirements. Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is a medical condition in itself. There is no standard way to determine whether it was due to hormonal imbalances or just because a person overeats.

I gained much of my weight following a severe auto accident 20 years ago that left me unable to walk without significant pain. While many may see me get out of my car and walk, parked legally in a handicapped space, they cannot see the pain that it causes me and would incorrectly assume that I received my handicapped placard because of my obesity (or that I am too lazy to walk further).

It seems obesity is the last 'legal' form of discrimination; however, for the same reason it was wrong to stereotype people based on their race, it is also wrong to stereotype the obese. We are cognizant of our 'abnormality' and your discomfort and most of us try to minimize that on your behalf. While it is possible to lose weight, you can see how it is extremely difficult to do so for people with conditions like my own that limit our ability to exercise. Before you mention how EASY it should be to get weight loss surgery, please know that it is not a harmless procedure. I have had 4 (out of 5) friends who have had gastric bypass die as a result of the complications that follow the surgery. Even successful surgery results in malnutrition (that is after all how the weight comes off)which stresses the body to the point that it may risk the person's health more so than their original obesity did.

I post this not as an excuse for me and the other obese persons you may have encountered while traveling, but as a way to demonstrate the other side of the story. If I ever need to fly again, I will definitely try to get an Economy Plus seat (I wasn't aware of that) since, as a graduate student, First Class fares are far above my ability to pay.

If you have any questions or non-spiteful comments, feel free to email me and I will respond as soon as possible. Spiteful emails will be returned in kind!

Bottom line for me (no pun intended) is that if you're so large you will infringe on someone else's space then you need to pay for extra room so that a normally sized person isn't made uncomfortable and has space THEY HAVE PAID FOR stolen from them.
I can't see how anyone can defend or support taking something from another person who has paid for it.

This issue isn't about discrimination, it's about people having room they've paid for stolen from them by someone who can't fit into the space they've paid for.

Any business where people pay for a seat should have similar policies, be it recreation, travel or whatever.

As I have gotten older (approaching 50), my metabolism began to slow, and found myself gaining weight. While I try to get enough exercise, there was a simple solution - EAT LESS AND BETTER FOOD. Specifically, better portion control, cut out most of the starch, avoid junk and fast foods, and stop eating after 9 pm. Not only has this cut back on our grocery bills, but I feel better, sleep better, and have lost weight.

We could put a BIG dent in obesity if schools would start teaching kids at an early age how to read food labels, and put together a decent diet.

Americans are quick to find excuses and expect sympathy when life happens, instead of taking personal responsibility. The obesity epidemic is just another example of this, and I personally have little in the way of patience for those unwilling to help themselves, or expect those who exercise good judgement to make concessions for those that don't.