Obese Guy on Plane

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

These days you never know what’s real and what isn’t, but the story does raise an interesting question. If you’re sitting next to somebody that is so obese that their fat rolls into your space, do you have the right to complain?

Originally Posted by superdog

I think that ultimately yes. You do.

But even with the “right”, I’m not sure I would.

I’d ask for another seat . Space is already too confined,
No need to limit it even more .

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

I’m not concerned with the mentioning of the overweight person needing two seats. But, asking the guy for $150?! That is beyond gross. Give me a break “ i paid for this comfort”. No, you paid to be on a public flight because your too broke to fly private or even first class. For the record, me too. So i deal with the hell that can be economy.

I don’t think i could have said anything to the person. I would unfortunately sacrifice my comfort for a few hours to make a person not feel bad about themselves. That must be humiliating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, I totally agree with you. It was totally opportunistic to ask for and take the guy's money. That was my point.

[FiftyTwoEighty]

I was on a short hop and had a similar situation. The guy next to me was in the window seat and in my aisle. Luckily, I’m not that big. His solution...he bought drinks for me/us the entire flight.

With that said, as someone that flies almost every week, only short-hop planes, with no First Class, have the two-on-one-side (window/aisle) and three-on-the other-side (aisle/center/window) configuration.

Most planes than can fly five hours, coast to coast, do not have the seating configuration mentioned in the article — unless it’s first class.

[ArtNouveau]

Pretty sure almost all airlines have an obesity/2 seats policy, they just don't want to be the bad guy who has to enforce it. Same for the pax who boards with more than their allowed carryon and personal item. Or the "carryon" that could carry a body.
On a positive note I have seen a few large passengers boarded early who did purchase two seats for themselves.

[tritium8]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I think people should pay by the pound: the heavier you are the more you pay. Because it costs more fuel to move more pounds through space. Simple physics.

Works for FedEx/UPS/USPS, why not the airlines?!?

Or at least a fuel surcharge for people over a certain "average" weight....even though we all know it would be down to like 75lbs the way the airlines work.

[DLRIDES]

By the pound, problem solved ...................

[Old Geezer]

The last several years I've flown an average of 250K actual miles per year, not including all the bonus miles. My employer pays for business class on international trips and long haul domestic and with the status I have because I fly so much, I almost always get upgraded on domestic flights.
That said, I've sat in economy or economy plus enough to have sat next to large people, little people, stinky people, crying babies, scared passengers, sick passengers, elderly, you name it.
Unless the situation is absolutely unbearable, I grin and bear it. Planes already have everyone on edge as it is. A little compassion goes a long way for all involved. As long as no one pulls out a race card or entitlement card or really wants to be an ahole, I try to play nice and just get where I'm going.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by tritium8

Works for FedEx/UPS/USPS, why not the airlines?!?

Or at least a fuel surcharge for people over a certain "average" weight....even though we all know it would be down to like 75lbs the way the airlines work.

Taller people are naturally heavier, but not necessarily wider. Should they pay more? Can those of us below the average pay less?

[DJRikki]

[kulak]

I’m not obese but have wide shoulders and already ‘spill’ into the other seat. Being quite tall I don’t fit in today’s economy seats length wise. Although my employer doesn’t pay for domestic business class I make every effort to upgrade one way or another on flights longer than 2 hours.

[Runnin' Rebel]

How about fleas ! 2 months ago after a 3 hour flight when I got home I was itching badly. Sure enough there was flee bites on my upper body. I was itching prior to landing and ask the flight attendant who sat there last and it was a passenger with a dog since it was the same crew continuing on the the flight and she knew about it.

That’s coming to halt soon enough🤬 These emotional support animals need to be kept in cargo area or certified as ready to fly without having bugs on them. If you wanna bring your animals and have them jump on the seats infected with flees fly Spirit Airlines instead. FYI I was in business class too. It’s getting out of control with these people.. dog poop.. pee yuck 🤢

[timedate]

i had it at a football match a few years ago, it was ridiculous, laughable if you were looking on at it.

Why should people who have tried to live a life of self control have to tolerate people with none, or have to put up with other types of selfishness because 'thats the way it is'.

Flying has to be the most unappealing form of travel.

[BisonHead]

I think if you encroach onto another passengers seat then you should have to book 2 seats.

I have had this happen a few times flying from the middle east, i discretely asked the flight attendant if i could be moved and pointed out the problem.

Flight attendant moved me job done, turned to the 2 obese people in my row of 3 and smiled and said i think you will be more comfortable now. They thanked me.

[Rashid.bk]

I'm sorry to be an a-hole here but I absolutely freaking hate obese people that over flow into my space on a plane. I do all that is demanded of me in life to not burden society. I live quietly, I have a well maintained vehicle that doesn't drip oil, I raise my children with manners and sending them to college, I take care of my wife and the house has food and is warm or cool depending on climate.

I go to work on time, I pay my taxes....and finally I keep myself healthy and clean. This is a social issue as well. If I just decide to fly internationally to France on a 12 hour flight but decide hey I just want a quick workout before I head on vacation. Is it ok for me to show up all sweaty and smelly...or to not wear deodorant, or to take off my shoes and feet smell horrid....that is not right, neither is being obese and inconveniencing me on my flight. Sorry obese people but you really need to cough up money for two seats if you want to be two people.
Just as I care for myself to not be smelly, overweight, have screaming children, etc, well neither should you.
I even always select isle seats so I don't ever have to bother anyone if I need to get up, and don't mind getting up for others, just give me my space please.

I can actually understand if you're disabled, or even if you're sick and sneezing all over the place(getting sick and traveling isn't usually a choice), also if you're elderly falling asleep all over me(not problem, I respect my elders)....but when you break a social norm, I have no tolerance, I'm usually polite but I just can't..sorry everyone, but I can't. Some of you know how hard it is to stay thin and at 47 I put in a lot of hours at the gym to stay fit and trim.

I can however guarantee this, from me, I'm the best neighbor, cleanest passenger and most respectable and agreeable guest you could have in your home or seat mate during a long trip.

I really need to just start to set myself up for business class flying instead of spending all my money on watches and flying like a peasant.

-end rant

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by DJRikki

LMAO!!!!!!
That is hilarious.
Reminds me...yeah I think this story is fake.
Something you read in the back of readers digest...

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

How about fleas ! 2 months ago after a 3 hour flight when I got home I was itching badly. Sure enough there was flee bites on my upper body. I was itching prior to landing and ask the flight attendant who sat there last and it was a passenger with a dog since it was the same crew continuing on the the flight and she knew about it.

That’s coming to halt soon enough🤬 These emotional support animals need to be kept in cargo area or certified as ready to fly without having bugs on them. If you wanna bring your animals and have them jump on the seats infected with flees fly Spirit Airlines instead. FYI I was in business class too. It’s getting out of control with these people.. dog poop.. pee yuck 🤢

See, this is the type of $h@& I'm talking about. That is a health hazard. Or what if the other passengers are allergic to dogs...what about that person. People are so sensitive to everything nowadays and are readily raising the butthurt flag, yet somehow in the same context people are socially selfish.

I want to bring my cute dog all over whole foods, I want my bread from the back, fresh, so please stop and go to the back and get it while everyone waits, I want my frappamachiato peanut butter chocochino made with fresh coffee and please use this sugar that I brought from home, I'ma go to the gym and do eight reps and then sit on the machine for five minutes between sets to check facebook or pass a candy crush board, let me wait until the last minute at security because I don't want to take off my watch or didn't think a certain security standards were for me because I have super VIP/bypass/blue gold/precheck/super hero status...police yourselves folks, you are not alone, it's not just you out here, a little situational awareness goes a long way.

Sorry guys, as you can see, I've been flying a lot.

[Keadog]

It was said above. Weigh passengers and all the crap they drag along. If over a predetermined number, pay extra, by the pound (or KG).
And I think they all have it backwards - they should check bags for free and charge to bring a roll aboard, giant purse and bag of smelly food on board the plane. We were forced to fly Southwest recently since they were the only nonstop and their free checked bag standard didn't seem to help much. More people checked luggage but seemed to bring just as much crap on the plane. It wastes so much time boarding and deplaning IMO.
I detest flying, in case that wasn't clear. If it's 12 hours or less, I don't even consider going by air.

[Brew]

I really can't complain too much. Air travel gives me gas . . . .

[Abdullah71601]

You guys are funny.

You're not paying for a seat. You're paying to be transported from point A to point B. If you choose to be transported in cattle class, you get what you pay for... cattle. Either pony up the coin for Business or First, or quit whining that you have to cozy up to the herd.

[austinp]

I would rather sit next to a large person than someone that brings stinky food on the plane. At 6'2" 224lbs i fill up every inch of my coach area.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You guys are funny.

You're not paying for a seat. You're paying to be transported from point A to point B. If you choose to be transported in cattle class, you get what you pay for... cattle. Either pony up the coin for Business or First, or quit whining that you have to cozy up to the herd.

you are correct. I tried once to buy two extra seats on a transatlantic flight in economy so it would be empty because i didn't want a seat mate with the kids and my wife wanting to spread out. If there isn't a physical body in it they can't guarantee it and can sell it to another customer. Flew first class instead. we tried.

[Beo3]

I call Bravo Sierra on the story.....
I have been there stuck next to a very large man, crying kids, the elderly and my favorite, the incisive talker......
My solution is earbuds in, dream of where I'm going to and try and get some sleep.

[SN13]

Originally Posted by Jojoshop

You can’t charge a person extra because of obesity

I disagree. If I can be charged for a bag over 50lbs for Weight concerns on the flight, why can't Adults be charged over a certain weight? or over a total weight for Passenger + Luggage?

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You guys are funny.

You're not paying for a seat. You're paying to be transported from point A to point B. If you choose to be transported in cattle class, you get what you pay for... cattle. Either pony up the coin for Business or First, or quit whining that you have to cozy up to the herd.

Well, that's the attitude of the airlines. But they are selling seats and advertising the dimensions of the seats. They should market the product as "Point A to Point B" if that's what it really is.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You guys are funny.

You're not paying for a seat. You're paying to be transported from point A to point B. If you choose to be transported in cattle class, you get what you pay for... cattle. Either pony up the coin for Business or First, or quit whining that you have to cozy up to the herd.

Completely wrong in what you mostly posted and below figures are pretty accurate on BA and the main big 3 in the US

Let’s say a round trip on a B777 LHR to DCA with 224 seats which 122 seats in the miain cabin cost each US884.00. The total cost is about US107,000

40 premium economy seats cost US 2600.00 each which is a total of about US 105,000 about 1/3 less seats then in main cabin but amost exceeds main cabin revenue

Business class has 48 business class seats at US6725.00 which totals approx US 322,700, over 3x revenue in business vs main that has over 4x more seats

Tourist class tickets bought way in advance we’re always cheaper due to people weren’t going to change anything. (Discounted) Businesses ( full fare) buying tickets for their employees usually don’t care about purchases and buy pretty close to date of flying. 45% revenue from premium economy, business and first class. 55% from main cabin

After deregulation, the 747 coming on line and the Concord, airlines experimented with different seating and pricing because they could. Miain cabin now is just there to fill seats. A vast majority of the revenue come from a minority of the passengers now, at least from the big 3 US carriers. Rarely now though, you won’t see first class seats on flights 8 hours or less so lots more business class seats at way higher prices.

B777 First class has in most cases depending on airline configuration 14 seats at US 8715.00 or US 122,000 revenue. So the 14 seats in first class make more then the 122 in main cabin. So all 3 premium classes make over US 550,000 vs US 105,000 From main cabin. So almost 2/3 revenue come from 3 sections of premium seating.

These numbers are close to what it really is trascon flights non stop. (LHR to JFK)
Flights from Middle East to NY are even greater in revenue for premium passengers due to flight time non stop.

Now add in exit row seats in main that’s usually 50-70 each more due to extra leg room, more revenue from certain seats. So saying a seat doesn’t matter is not true. It takes basically the same amount of fuel if the plane is all main cabin or a mixture of 4 separate cabins. In most cases, very little variation.

Yes, you could snuggle up to strangers in the back of the plane for a lot less but let’s not say you’re not paying for a seat, at least 45% of passengers are though making the carrier much more money.

[Tha Baron]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

I’m not concerned with the mentioning of the overweight person needing two seats. But, asking the guy for $150?! That is beyond gross. Give me a break “ i paid for this comfort”. No, you paid to be on a public flight because your too broke to fly private or even first class. For the record, me too. So i deal with the hell that can be economy.

I don’t think i could have said anything to the person. I would unfortunately sacrifice my comfort for a few hours to make a person not feel bad about themselves. That must be humiliating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No - you paid for a seat...

If you go to a restaurant some large dude comes by and takes a handful of fries off your plate, would you be pissed? Yes you sure would. You paid for the fries in the restaurant - not the privilege of being inside the restaurant.

[Brew]

The worst is when they get in the bathtub with you!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Tha Baron

No - you paid for a seat...

If you go to a restaurant some large dude comes by and takes a handful of fries off your plate, would you be pissed? Yes you sure would. You paid for the fries in the restaurant - not the privilege of being inside the restaurant.

are they stealing your airplane food now too? I just thought they were large, but so large they now can't help themselves?

[Ruud Van Driver]

I'm 5'13", 196lb and 33" waist; big enough but nothing special. If a dude sits next to me and is 300lb, why shouldn't he be made to pay extra?

If your baggage allowance is 80lb and you rock up at check-in with 100lb, most airlines will charge you an extortionate amount of excess baggage charges.*



*I was way over my allowance when repatriating to the UK from Asia. I was in business class, have a gold card and the flight was half empty so I assume no-one cared because I didn't get charged. However, if the flight was full I expect it would have been a different story. On another occasion, Mrs Van D was asked to take 6lb of gear out of her suitcase to put in her hand luggage as it was overweight and thus avoid the charges; we were flying business class from London to the US. My point here is that there are always exceptions but most airlines typically charge for excess baggage (or ask if you can shift something to your hand luggage), particularly if the plane is full.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

I'm 5'13", 196lb and 33" waist; big enough but nothing special. If a dude sits next to me and is 300lb, why shouldn't he be made to pay extra?

If your baggage allowance is 80lb and you rock up at check-in with 100lb, most airlines will charge you an extortionate amount of excess baggage charges.*



*I was way over my allowance when repatriating to the UK from Asia. I was in business class, have a gold card and the flight was half empty so I assume no-one cared because I didn't get charged. However, if the flight was full I expect it would have been a different story. On another occasion, Mrs Van D was asked to take 6lb of gear out of her suitcase to put in her hand luggage as it was overweight and thus avoid the charges; we were flying business class from London to the US. My point here is that there are always exceptions but most airlines typically charge for excess baggage (or ask if you can shift something to your hand luggage), particularly if the plane is full.

i agree. I think if you dont fit in the seat you should have to pay for the space you take up. Bargin pricing is why seats get smaller. Airlines would happily fly with less seats if people paid the difference. Low cost carriers force a race to the bottom. Airfare is historically cheap and yet, squeezing in a few more rows to cut prices even more is what customers want.

Im 6'5 and honestly haven't flown economy for years. I dont fit and fly business or first. I tried once as i mentioned earlier but because of airline rules i couldn't even guarantee the extra seats next to me if the flight was oversold in which case they would refund my money and put someone in the seat.

No im not fat.