Fat flyers

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

have my eyes deceived me, or have Virgin slimmed their seats??

 

[ausi ski bum]

I am no light weight but I easily fit into my dash 8 or economy seat but the worst experience I had was LAX to NYC with this Monster next to me, I never worked out if it was male or female but it sat on top of the arm rests not fitting at all and leaned on the back of the chair in front almost hitting their head on the roof. Hostie gave them multiple extensions and when I complained I had no room I was completely ignored. I ended up sitting on the floor and when I was told to sit in my chair I said, I will, find me one as by this time it had disapeared completely. I was made to squeeze back in and the giant again sat on the arm rests. Seriously they looked just like that famous large passenger photo you see on the net from Time to time.

A few years back I boarded a flight SYD to WW and again the person in the seat was already 50% over my seat with the arm rest up. I was told there was no more seats and I invited the hostie to show me exactly how I was going to fit. I ended up returning to the terminal and catching the next flight as they had to admit there was no safe way to sit down. I always thought the wrong person had to wait.

 

[jetlagger]

have my eyes deceived me, or have Virgin slimmed their seats??

View attachment 6417

Perhaps Virgin are ahead of us on this one & have reconfigured the a/c already.. Looks favorable if your in the 'midget" class:mrgreen:

 

[Archphoto]

. . . . . . . . . I invited the hostie to show me exactly how I was going to fit. I ended up returning to the terminal and catching the next flight as they had to admit there was no safe way to sit down. I always thought the wrong person had to wait.

I agree, but I'd bet that if they'd unloaded the larger person, it would have hit the headlines almost instantly and NoNews would have sensationalised "discrimination etc by xx_ airline against overweight passengers." whilst, totally ignoring the safety concerns that meant you had to give up your seat (paid for just like the other person) and waiting to catch the next flight.

 

[dfcatch]

Were you compensated at all?

 

[rechoboam]

I think this is the core of the problem and I also think given the immense costs that we all bear for others' laziness and or stupidity, this kind of mindset will switch in the next two or so decades. I'm certainly not a slimmy either and could never go past my mom's home-cooked German meals but I still managed to train off around 30 kilos in less than a year through hard exercise and leaving behind those crunchy fries (unless in the Flounge or on special occasions that is ). Bootcamp three times a week at 5am hasn't been easy, I tell you but no one said it would be.

To the point: I really think the mindset will move from a PC-kinda you cannot discriminate attitude towards a more smoking-like "Their fault, if they just eat what they please- as long as it's not my health cover paying for it!" attitude in our society. And that's not a bad thing in my eyes as like with quitting smoking, there's something every single individual can do if they so want. And if after all that, you still become diabetic or what ever else, then I'm more than happy to pay for that as much as I'd pay for someone getting some cancer totally innocently.

27% of over 65s have diabetes now and by the time I'm that old the prevalence will be perhaps 40% or similar. While 43% of over-60 males encounter prostate disease.

It's not like these are rare events. People with jobs and income should be saving for this likely scenario out of their own resources rather than expecting you to pay for it. Just the way we save superannuation because of the high probability that we may live past retirement age. Buying insurance against getting a cancer that occurs in one in 10000 people an which requires 5million bucks of drugs is one thing. Buying so-called private insurance or expecting other taxpayers to pay for things that are going to occur makes no sense. Its like buying insurance to pay for next years supply of sliced bread!

 

[Canny man]

This topic came up at a work function recently. We all fly a lot and the curse of the over sized monster is a favourite moan. What came out was how many of us ended up suffering sore backs, aches and pains etc from having to sit in a constrained and un-natural position when wedged by a fatty.

It may take some compensation suits to get the airlines to take this seriously.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Would you support 'fat' people being given priority in the upgrade queue? People seem to agree that they should have more space, this would make it more accessible for a lot of people who need that extra space but can't afford it.

No, because that would be discriminating against everyone else who doesn't fall into the oversize bracket & would be upgraded on merit using their points before the also rans.

You then have the scenario where people with their PC hat on are so busy trying to avoid 'offending' larger folk & they end up not being fair to the rest.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I really don't understand this PC cough.

If an economy seat has dimensions of A * B * C and a person cannot safely fit in those dimensions, well the options are they have to pay for an extra seat, or they don't fly.

I suppose it's too much for IATA to take a stand and force the issue with the various regulators.

My flight to Mexico in 2010 from LAX scared me when a number of passengers had to go down the isle sideways. I honestly don't think they would have fit through a wing side exit, yet that was their closest. What happens if in the panic of an emergency they get stuck, blocking dozens of other passengers escape???

Maybe the issue is that so many people are obese - i think "fat" lets the PC come out to play - that soon having a healthy weight will be considered abnormal. I think Wal-E was on to something.

 

[chrisb]

What happens if in the panic of an emergency they get stuck, blocking dozens of other passengers escape???

I think evac standards are based on half the exits being blocked. (by fire)

I think airlines should make it easier and more obvious if this is a big issues. Booking for 2 pax. How many seats would you like? I'd consider paying for an extra seat (making a block of three for 2 people) if it was easier to do.

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Fat flyers - stupid question time

What would happen if you attempted to take a photo of said over-large passenger where the evidence of the "overflow" into your seat space would be obvious? :shock:

My only experience was where the pax was sitting in front of me and while he fit into seat, the seat did appear to recline an extra couple of inches and he needed a seat belt extension. Alas I didn't want to give up my forward aisle seat and it appeared he was OW Emerald (as I was at the time). BA MCT-DXB-LHR before the sale of upgraded seats became "normal"

My conclusion: There needs to be a sample Y seat at check in. An economy pax needs to be able to sit within it without a seat belt extension or have purchased a companion seat or have (an agreeable) additional person on the PNR

The only satisfactory resolution would be one that was consistently applied.

Fred

 

[Pushka]

Re: Fat flyers - stupid question time

Fat has become a Disability issue. A human rights issue. And now that has happened it is basically impossible to say or do anything without raising a storm of protests. Large sizes in women's clothing are called " real women's clothes". I just returned from a Queen Mary 2 cruise and the sizes of people onboard was staggering.

I had to laugh one time. The lifts were crowded and there was a small space at the entrance. The obese lady wanting to get in said " good, space for one more" and walked in. Everyone looked at each other and had to suck in to let her in. She had no idea of her size. We were totally squashed in thanks to her lack of awareness.

By the way, it's not just women.... The size of bottoms these days is staggering.

 

[Canny man]

Re: Fat flyers - stupid question time

Think positively. Two seats = two meals. Win-win for the fatty!

 

[juddles]

Re: Fat flyers - stupid question time

Think positively. Two seats = two meals. Win-win for the fatty!

Funny you say that - my flight was a shortish domestic all-Y flight, but due to some Happy Hour that Air New Zealand has, they had a quick service of free grog, with a snack. I chose, as did the large lady, the ¨seasonal cheese platter¨ as the snack. I requested a glass of red to accompany it, she chose some water. They did the snacks first, but as per habit I patiently waited and didnt touch the cheese until I had some red to go with it. My fellow passenger downed the cheeses in less than thirty seconds. Some days it is hard not to stereotype

 

[drron]

Re: Fat flyers - stupid question time

Reminds me of the time we were eating at a lobster restaurant in Conneticut.A lady of considerable size sat at the next table(on 2 chairs as she could not fit in a booth).She then ordered the special of 3 lobsters and a fried seafood platter for her daughter who she kept telling the waiter would be there soon.She finished both meals in about 30 minutes and ordered the same to go to take home to her daughter and husband.I of course believed her story.
Of course in Canada this matter has gone to the courts that ruled that obesity is a disability and so the obese can not be discriminated against.So Canadian airlines cant charge for a second seat.Also can not charge for a carer's seat if the disabled pax needs one-
Obesity as a Disability | Canadian Obesity Network

Of course this lead to other actions such as a fellow who is 6 foot 7 suing Air canada for charging him extra for extra leg room seats-He lost as being tall is not a disability-
Canada News: Edmonton man accuses airlines of discriminating against tall people - thestar.com

And if you really want to read some PC nonsense this is from an obese networker in good ole LOTFAP-
Discrimination against the obese by airlines

And I write as a person who often has a BMI>30.But I know what to do when i hit that mark-exercise more and eat less.Simple KISS principle.However I fit easily into a Crash 8 seat.

 

[AVC]

I think airlines should make it easier and more obvious if this is a big issue.

BIG issue? LMAO

Maybe the airlines could have some bariatric seats. Or seat two fatties in 3 seats and either charge said fatty for 1.5 seats or just write the cost off, but not sell the seat to some other sucker.

Hell, the health dept are addressing this issue on an increasingly regular basis. The ASNSW has 4 Bariatric ambualnces just in Sydney alone (AKA the Megalift, or the Fat Truck). And a normal ambulance stretcher can hold 190kgs. The hospitals have special wide beds too. It's getting out of hand.

 

[mr_osborne]

I guess the main problem is picking where to draw the line. there are height issues and weight issues. People have no control over height, but if you're unable to fit into an economy row, tough luck, try an exit row or business class. There is no expectation on the airline to upgrade passengers, and I don't think Tall people in any way expect this.

However, when it comes to larger people, The issue I have is when they have a detrimental effect on my experience. Some people have suggesting giving them priority for upgrading, I think a better plan is to upgrade the two people either side of them. But basically, you shouldn't reward people for being fat. I think the airlines should introduce policy, saying if you can't fit into the seat, you should have to buy two seats. I think that when it is official policy it would make it easier for staff to deal with, and if said fat person gets upset, the staff can blame policy. As for the people who argue discrimination, fat people who take up more than one seat do consume more. Also, they don't complain when they can get a sale fare in a cheaper booking class (fare code), which is also discrimination.

 

[AVC]

drron's links are quite an interesting read. Especially the tall one. I mean, some vocations have height restrictions (not as many as years ago), and so do amusement park rides. Why don't the airlines say "you need to be this tall to get an exit row"? Why? Because they worked out they can squeeze more money out of people that's why.

I don't think they should upgrade the larger PAX, though. But to expect another paying passenger to put with half a seat is unreasonable.

Either the airlines need to get tough, or forfeit a seat or two for larger PAX

 

[dfcatch]

I saw a rather large fellow at LAS today - he was huge - at least 2 seats worth if not more.

THEN - I saw him in the A/C at LAX chatting to the QF rep - my only thought was - I really hope he's not a QF whY customer!!

 

[Balwyn3103]

Nothing will change until someone who loses a portion of their seat to a large neighbour sues the airline and a court adjudicates the matter.