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Should overweight people pay extra? Canada says no.
Many airlines in the US state that passengers "needing an extra seat to maintain comfort" must pay for an adjacent seat. Their thought is that since they can't sell that seat to another person, the passenger occupying part of that seat needs to foot the bill. And this mode of thought has prevailed through to the current age of air travel.Some overweight members of the community disagree with that policy, however, suggesting that obesity is a disease and citing discrimination against the disabled. This makes carriers' policy a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and technically illegal. So far, the US government has not interceded in this debate.
The Canadian government, on the other hand, has. Earlier this month the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) mandated that national carriers cannot charge an overweight passenger extra if he or she requires extra seats. The airlines now have a year to accommodate and integrate these changes into their systems.
What do you think? Should we do the same thing in the states?
Filed under: Canada, Airlines, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Cheyenne Apr 8th 2008 7:04PM
Every day I live in the USA is a day I find reasons for Americans to start doing as their northern neighbors are doing.....I mean after all........you don't have to be wealthy in order to get insurance there.....or an immigrant or whatever.........everyone has insurance or so I am told but I suppose I could have been mislead.......... and all receive the same level of health care.......now you tell me the USA can't measure up to Canada in that regard if it so desired?????
It is shameful how America treats it's natives but then it always has been hasn't it? How many of our ancestors, regardless of race or religion, etc., has flown to Canada for safe harbor?? I am inclined to believe if our higher echelons thought more like the Canadian government we would be home free. Canadians sure have it altogether in the most important issues. Of course that's JHMO.
Oh......... and nooooooooooooo overweight people should not have to pay extra I mean come on now......where is it written that the majority of people are thin????? I am in agreement with the poster that said they should redesign their seats. They are much too small and cramped too close together in any event much less for a larger person to be comfortable in. That's the trouble America has always had. They base everything on THIN. The seats in diners, restrooms, waiting rooms, etc. Everywhere you look is evidence of the bias in America. Sometimes I swear i am sooooooooooo tempted to move to Canada you have no idea. America caters to thin people. Shame on you America. I love you but YOU REALLY NEED to change some major stuff.
A disgruntled American
Tom Apr 8th 2008 8:03PM
I have diabetes. Type 2, the cause being fat, lazy and over 40. Me, myself and I have caused this problem. It is very hard to lose weight being a diabetic. But guess what I lost 21 pounds so far and have paid for a first class seat to make sure my fellow passangers are not disturbed. I also hardly believe being 5' 9" tall and 235 pounds is just over the line but not by much. I believe anyone who has "let themselves go" needs to pay the price or get on the f":%!!@# treadmill!!! Plain and simple you are fat because you eat to much and sit on your butt way to much!!
Anne Apr 8th 2008 8:15PM
Seats in airplanes are small however they are designed to fit an individual with a normal body weight. An individual that suffers from obesity and/or morbid obesity understands that they will not fit into 1 airline seat therefore they should pay for the space they use. I know that when I fly I don't expect to share the seat I paid for because the customer next to me can't fit into his/hers. I'm not being compensated for this only inconvinienced and when your paying 400.00 and up for airline tickets you should be entitled to your seat. It hinders the relationship between the airline and the consumer that's for sure.
Tom Apr 8th 2008 8:17PM
I have type 2 diabetes. The cause being fat, lazy and over 40! Me myself and I HAVE SINGLEHANDEDLY caused this problem. It is now very hard to lose weight being a diabetic. BUT GUESS WHAT? I have lost 30 pounds and never felt better! I paid for first class seats to make sure my fellow travelers are not disturbed! I know I would not like some fat sweathog cramming me for space! I am 5' 9" tall and 215 pounds. I believe anyone that has "let themselves go" needs to pay the price or get on the @#%!@ treadmill!! Bottom line you are fat because you eat way to much and sit on your butt way to much!!! Get up and move!! Before you die very young!!
David Mills Jan 10th 2009 7:08PM
The question is not one of obesity or the reasons therefore. The question is one of reimbursing the provider for your share of the costs plus your share of the contribution to profits.
I don't care if you need the extra seat because of your weight, your desire for a place to put your elbow, or your desire for a place to put your teddy bear. If you consume more than your allotted space, you should be prepared to pay for the increment.
If you're the only fatty in the row, then you should pay for one extra seat. If you can convince another fatty to share the row equally, then you should pay for one-half an extra seat.
Simple math, presuming you made the 4th grade.
Maeve Feb 11th 2009 5:42PM
NO, other airlines shouldn't let them not pay for a second. If they are occupying that seat they should be paying for it. If anther person was sitting in that seat and the other person wasn't fat they would be making more money. Airline companies are loosing money if they let obese people have two seats without paying for two.
mandiee Apr 15th 2009 11:04PM
so i will say it i am fat and yes mine is due to a disorder i have extream hypothyroidism i take the highest dose of synthroid that is out there and i clean the pool walk to classes swim and chase after a 4 yearold and still dont loose weight and i to an extent agree with the decision to charge over weight people more but what i dont agree with is if i paid a full price fair for 1 full seat for my son and one for me most airlines will still request me to pay for an additional seat but wont give me half price for the half a seat my kid uses which is discrimination and wrong and also i can lower both arm rests and buckle my seat belt without an extender and because my weight is mostly in the front i dont "spill" in to the next seat over but because of the weight the airlines still want me to pay for more seat i got so sick and tiard of the way i was treated at arlines i will never fly again
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