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Airline Madness: Baggage fees vs. Obese people who take up two seats
This Airline Madness first round match-up is sure to spark plenty of debate. The #4 seed, Baggage fees, ticks off just about everyone. On the other hand, #13 seed Obese people who take up two seats is too big to be ignored. If we're traveling, we need luggage. However, airlines seem to punish us for packing even a normal amount of clothing by charging us exorbitant fees just to check a bag. Meanwhile, the limited space we do have for ourselves on the plane is being infringed upon by overweight passengers overflowing into our seats. If you're too heavy to fit in one seat, shouldn't you have to purchase a second?
Only one of these airline annoyances can advance to the second round. Learn more about them and then vote for the one that you simply can't stand.
#4 Baggage fees
We understand that some people overpack and attempt to bring way too much crap onto the plane. But, what about the people who just want to pack properly for their two week business trip or family vacation? How can the price of a single bag not be included in your airline ticket? Are we all supposed to fly with one change of clothes in our carry-on bags? Let us pack like normal human beings and travel with some personal belongings without shelling out an additional $50!
#13 Obese people who take up two seats
Not all obese people are created equally. Some overeat, others have genetic disorders, while many suffer from crippling medical issues. Regardless of the reason, however, there is no excuse for taking up someone else's space. I paid for my seat and only I get to use it. If you can't fit in one seat, shouldn't you have to pay for the space that you do need? It's not a punishment; it's just common sense. Once a child becomes too large to sit on his parent's lap, he needs his own seat. Shouldn't the same hold true once your waistline is too large to fit in a single seat?
Only one pet peeve can advance. Will it be Baggage fees or Obese people who take up two seats. Vote for the one that pisses you off the most and then share your feelings in the comments!
| Baggage fees | |
|---|---|
| Obese people who take up two seats |
First round voting ends at 11:59PM EDT on Friday, March 16.
More Airline Madness:
#1 Annoying passengers vs. #16 Disgusting bathrooms
#2 Legroom vs. #15 Inefficient boarding procedures
#3 Lack of free food/prices for food vs. #14 Cold cabin/no blankets
#5 Lack of overhead space vs. Inattentive parents of crying babies
#6 Change fees/no free standby vs. #11 Lack of personal entertainment/charging for entertainment
#7 Rude airline staff vs. #10 Having to turn off electronic devices during takeoff & landing
#8 People who recline their seats vs. #9 People who get mad at people who recline their seats
Hotel Madness: Gadling's tournament of airline annoyances
Catch up on all the Airline Madness here.
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
colpuck Mar 12th 2012 4:35PM
You can get the airline branded CC to get out of the bag fees. There is no getting out having a huge person sit next to you.
LisaK Mar 12th 2012 7:24PM
Why don't they weigh the person plus luggage; a combined weight under a certain amount pays nothing and fees graduate upwards? It's the weight the airlines care about. I'm not very big and even non-obese people think they should have part of my seat. I hate paying fees AND giving up part of my seat when I contribute less weight in total than most people on the plane. At least I would feel better that the person encroaching on my seat had to pay more....
Howie Mar 12th 2012 10:51PM
been A guy who is 6'4" and is 205 ( not overweight) its very difficult to fit in most airline seats. But what is even more difficult is to buy that second seat. Which I have done more often that not. The Airline gives you a run around. I think I have figured it out. They might even lose money on that seat. No extra checked bag fees, no extra food for purchase fee. In fact its difficult to even get the reward miles for that extra seat.
So before you blame the oversize person next to you, ask the airlines why they make it so difficult to buy that middle seat.
Chris Mar 13th 2012 9:02AM
Howie, I look at it this way... you tall buggers have better luck with women, jobs, etc... several studies show that you get at least a little bit of an edge in several aspects of life just because of your height. Short people like me get to be comfortable in an airline seat. Let us have our brief moment of happiness and quit yer whinin' :)