Get Fat - Get Upgraded

[Groundfeeder]

Eg those disabled are provided for to a certain extent. You could argue that some disabled are being subsidised by abled bodied - extra baggage allowance (for chair/crutches/etc) plus other extra costs being incurred by the airline.

There's some good sayings coming through here.
I thought most of us coming out of the QP could at least be offered wheel chairs, although we usually make our own way to the departure lounge in a generally straight track, plus we're self-subsidised.

 

[cabbage74]

Personally speaking, I have a problem with views such as these. Is it reasonable for the public to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars treating children with rare diseases who may not survive? I have a godson and a nephew both with CF. Who knows how long they will live? Should we stop treating their symptoms and let them go as early as possible because we don't want to waste taxpayer's money?

I actually think that not only is it reasonable it is an obligation. There is also a big difference between people who are unlucky to have rare and difficult to treat conditions and those who put theirself in a very likely position to develop problems.

Mal.

 

[ozstamps]

From an aussie IT forum.. I don't know the people involved, just the story:

Get fat and travel in luxury. - The Green Room - Forums - www.atomicmpc.com.au

"My wife’s cousin is a big boy; even for a Maori he’s big.

He and his wife just got back from a trip to Germany and England flying air emirates, with an overnight stop over in Dubai.

They had just taken off from Sydney and were just 15 minutes into the flight when the guy in front put his seat back just a little, but just enough to stop the cousin from been able to put his tray down to eat or play cards that he had brought with him.

He called the flight attendant over and told her the problem; she said she would be right back. She returned a little while later and asked him to go with her.

He had been gone for half an hour before his wife asked a attendant where he had going, the attendant told her to follow him, she did.

All the way to first class where he was laid out in his bed drinking Champaign and eating prawn sandwiches watching a movie.

He flew all the way to Germany, then on to England and back to Germany, and then all the way back to Australia in first class.

All that for cattle class prices.

I could say more but I’m on my way to McDonalds."

I do not believe a single word of this.

Talk about a third rate urban myth from a board where they have not a clue about regular flying and how airlines work.

Anyone who believes any major airline will upgrade a fatty and his wife by 2 classes on 4 long haul segments simply as he could not play cards, (Emirates have IFE on all seats AFAIK) needs psychiatric help.

In fact airlines like SQ and CX will allow a plane to take off with totally EMPTY first class rather than upgrade even a paying Biz passenger.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Talk about a third rate urban myth from a board where they have not a clue about regular flying and how airlines work.

oz, you've just thwarted a great insight into the strong and sometimes misguided feelings of QFF'ers.
As I previously posted, this is great fodder until some fool substantiates the URBAN MYTH.
We have awakened the odd skeletal anorexic to confirm this (JohnK where art thou?).
I'll have the large Black Forest cake please and just put the armrest up if thats OK. :mrgreen:

 

[ozstamps]

Heck the many on these boards who have met me KNOW I for sure am no skeletal anorexic.

But if I thought for a moment any stoopid airline would upgrade me to a $15.000 RT to Europe, plus my partner, just coz I couldn't play cards all night .............

Just the fact the idiot posted he was allegedly wolfing down "prawn sandwiches" in It'l First shows he was never up there.

 

[Groundfeeder]

I used to dream of prawn sangers - Golden Whinge where are you??

 

[ozstamps]

The "champaign" note probably sums up the IQ of original poster I guess.

 

[pauly7]

Personally speaking, I have a problem with views such as these. Is it reasonable for the public to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars treating children with rare diseases who may not survive? I have a godson and a nephew both with CF. Who knows how long they will live? Should we stop treating their symptoms and let them go as early as possible because we don't want to waste taxpayer's money?

I guess it all boils down to the fact that we are living in a society, not an economy, so if we want to enjoy all the benefits of a society then we have certain obligations and can't be too selfish about where our tax dollars are being spent, especially when it goes to help those who are in need.

Thats awful about your nephew and godson. And they certainly didn't ask for it and certainly didn't act in a manner that would increase their chances of having CF. An overwhelming % of obese people are themselves responsible for their condition.

No one is forcing them to eat. If people contracted CF by eating badly and not exercising instead of just becoming fat and looking like hell then I guarantee overnight everyone would eat healthily and exercise instantly.

BTW, I know an overweight person who is not like that because of choice or lack of discipline. It is a genetic disposition not at all related to over-eating.

These unfortunate people have a terrible disability - no disputing that. But they represent a very very small minority of all overweight people.

I agree that sitting next to a very overweight person in Y is not fun. However I would blame the airlines. They have made economy seats way too small for the average size of the population. I am 185cm tall and approx 96kg. While I'd like to lose some weight I am not actually overweight and am in proportion for my height. However if there are two others like me sitting in 3-across seating in economy, it's bloody squishy! Economy seats these days are just not made for guys with broad shoulders.

Um, I'm not sure how to break this to you, but 185 and 96kg is classified as overweight and is enough for you to be considered at increased risk of obesity related illnesses. Your BMI is 28, anything over 25 is considered overweight and anything over 29.9 is obese.

Only limitation of a BMI is that it can be skewed by professional athletes and those who have a large amount of muscle and low body fat (e.g. rugby players). Obviously I have no idea if this applies to you. Hope this helps.

 

[acampbel]

That is so good , its going straight to the pool room!!!

OK - here is a seating map of a Qantas 747-400

SeatGuru Seat Map Qantas Airways Boeing 747-400 3-class (744)

If you look at rows 70-73 you can see that the narrowing tail of the aircraft has reduced the configuration from 3-4-3 to 2-4-2 with quite a gap from the "window" seat to the side of the cabin. Now I have never sat in these rows so there could be a reason preventing a wider seat being installed, but it seems like wasted space to me.

It was just an idea to solve a problem .... not much use if you would prefer to abuse the less fortunate.


Cheers,

Andrew

.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

<snip> ... Anyone that buys business class or 2 economy seats, due to their size, is contributing more to revenue and profits than someone who buys 1 economy seat. <rest snipped>

I'm sorry about that, but at least some of the problem could easily be alleviated by the airline.

Has anyone had any experience trying to buy two econ seats next to each other for themselves? It doesn't appear to be as easy as one would think.

[Anecdote] During one of my previous employer's legendary 'temporary' restrictions on business class travel, our group VP was required to travel to meet a customer at short notice. Said VP was HUGE, and not a man to be told something isn't possible.

He also followed policy to the letter (doesn't look good for VPs to breaking the rules - or so I'm told), so he booked two econ seats next to each other. Got to the airport late, flight was full and he was told that "he and his brother couldn't sit next to each other".

As the story goes, much arguing then took place about the right for someone to book two tickets and then be able to dictate that the seat next to them be left vacant.
[/Anecdote]

Our VP ended up winning his argument. But I wouldn't think that they'd do it for everybody.

mt

 

[ozstamps]

BTW, I know an overweight person who is not like that because of choice or lack of discipline. It is a genetic disposition not at all related to over-eating.

A well known medico responded to that general (and more and more widely expressed) comment recently this way:

It is curious there were no persons with "genetic dispositions to be overweight" that were liberated after a few years in Belsen, Auschwitz, Changi etc. There were NONE.

Curious how a meagre minus diet managed to suppress that alleged gene. :idea:

 

[aus_flyer]

Has anyone had any experience trying to buy two econ seats next to each other for themselves? It doesn't appear to be as easy as one would think.

Actually, it's quite easy...
Answer

 

[jaxjax]

I'm angry.

My gripe is, if you don't want to get wedged next to a fat guy then move to business class where you've got room to move. Why should it be the responsibility of the person that you have an issue with to move elsewhere on the plane when they have exactly the same right to passage as you?

I'm technically classed as "morbidly obese" which equals huge, and my size isn't a disability other than I can only just wedge my posterior into a Y seat (and I can't use the tray tables).

This is not a "lifestyle choice" I make to be this size, nor do I have the choice when on business but to fly in Y. I've never been upgraded or expect to be upgraded, but some very helpful and kind FAs have found me a seat elsewhere on the plane where possible - and I've always happily moved to the rear of the plane so I don't crowd in fellow passengers.

The next time you fly, remember that fat people are not just there to piss you off. We're trying to get from A to B as well and with lot less room to move.

Cheers,

jaX

 

[jakeseven7]

I agree that sitting next to a very overweight person in Y is not fun. However I would blame the airlines. They have made economy seats way too small for the average size of the population. I am 185cm tall and approx 96kg. While I'd like to lose some weight I am not actually overweight and am in proportion for my height. However if there are two others like me sitting in 3-across seating in economy, it's bloody squishy! Economy seats these days are just not made for guys with broad shoulders.

Um, I'm not sure how to break this to you, but 185 and 96kg is classified as overweight and is enough for you to be considered at increased risk of obesity related illnesses. Your BMI is 28, anything over 25 is considered overweight and anything over 29.9 is obese.

Only limitation of a BMI is that it can be skewed by professional athletes and those who have a large amount of muscle and low body fat (e.g. rugby players). Obviously I have no idea if this applies to you. Hope this helps.

Lol, well I think you broke it fairly bluntly!

The question is though, would Yada Yada prefer a slightly wider seat on JQ? or slightly more leg space on DJ ?

Can only guess the answer

 

[aus_flyer]

That's like saying that non-smokers can't complain because people are smoking around them

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm angry.

My gripe is, if you don't want to get wedged next to a fat guy then move to business class where you've got room to move. Why should it be the responsibility of the person that you have an issue with to move elsewhere on the plane when they have exactly the same right to passage as you?

Um, we all reserve and pay for an allotted space on an aircraft. I take up 1 seat, how is it fair that a fatty takes up 1.5 seats by spilling over the handrests and taking up my space - to the point where I am uncomfortable?

I don't mind the ritual psyching out your seat mate for the arm rest with a;; the harried Sydney siders on a CityFlyer, but when I have to deal with rolls of fat leaning on me, thats when I get pissed off.

 

[ozstamps]

I'm technically classed as "morbidly obese" which equals huge, and my size isn't a disability other than I can only just wedge my posterior into a Y seat (and I can't use the tray tables).

This is not a "lifestyle choice" I make to be this size

Sadly, it is. See my post 4 or 5 above.

When we eat less (me included - and I should) we lose weight. simple as that.

Eat a lot less and you become skeletal. FACT.

So do not get "angry" at those you inconvenince.

 

[kelpie]

I'm not fat, I'm just big boned...

 

[JohnK]

We have awakened the odd skeletal anorexic to confirm this (JohnK where art thou?).

What can you say to a comment like this?

You know nothing about me yet you think this is funny? Ha ha ha! The best advice for you is to get on with your meaningless life and worry about whether the Rockhampton QP is open for your next trip.

For the rest of you poor misguided fools, you have no idea. I am 5' 9" and weigh 110kgs. I am classed as obese yet I can fit into an economy class seat without any major dramas and do not spill over onto the other seat. I lean towards the aisle throughout the flight to ensure that the person sitting next to me is not inconvenienced in the slightest. I never hog the armrest yet the scrawny skinny person next to me feels the need to spread their wings and is constantly jolting me in the ribs throughout the flight. I do not recline especially during meal times. Most of the problems I have encountered on flights have been from selfish scrawny people who think they are God's gift to humanity.

For all you would be doctors on this forum, most of you have no absolutely no idea. I eat less than the average person yet I am classed as obese. I exercise and play golf regularly yet my weight fluctuates by as much as 2-3 kilos from day to day.

There are medical reasons why some people are overweight/obese. For me, I was diagnosed with arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis as a teenager, it is to do with the amount of drugs that are pumped into my system just so I can wake every morning and have some quality of life. These drugs cause so much fluid retention in the body some days my shoes do not fit as my legs and feet are swollen beyond belief.

But you know what, I am just grateful for being able to wake up every day without too much pain. You can all laugh and giggle at the misfortune of others but that is your downfall not mine.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

What can you say to a comment like this?
blah blah blah blah..... You can all laugh and giggle at the misfortune of others but that is your downfall not mine.

John it's great you're making an effort to keep other passengers around you in their comfort zone. A lot of larger people just don't seem to care and that's what I think most people dislike.

There are a small % of people that can't lose weight, just as there is a small % of people that can't GAIN weight. When I say small, this doesn't include the lazy people (exercising for 30min+ , 3 days/week - every week ABSOLUTELY MINIMUM)

Just as children get discounts for taking less space/food onboard I would like to see AU airlines take the flipside approach by forcing large passengers to purchase multiple seats.