Pooh sized people beware!

[torsie24]

Plenty of things I wouldn't be in favor of with something like that but in my eyes, it leans way more on the appropriate side than not and disgusting and appalling are not words I would use to describe it at all. I've sifted through this thread and cannot find where anyone has suggested that 'fat people get on their nerves' The only person who used those words was you

+1

 

[royal99]

I have to say that although it will be hard to implement I agree with it.

I do not discriminate against anyone weight/gender/race but as already mentioned for a lot of people being overweight is a choice because you eat to much. I am sure most people want to lose a bit of weight but when we talking about stupidly overweight why shouldn't someone pay extra. Fuel costs are high and its unfair against the person sat next to you.

It goes without saying people with medical issues and pregnant ladies would be excused

 

[maznorm]

Thank you. I realise I was the only one that used those words. However, I felt that was the general tone that was being set. As for your opinion on larger people and the government. I hate to tell you this but what people do is their own business, not the governments. The government's job is to make decision on behalf of the people, for the people. It is not to nanny people and tell them what they can and can't eat or drink or anything else. If those larger people posting that it would help them lose weight can't find the motivation without being forced to do it by an airline then you will never do it. The only way to motivate is positively and the only person that can do it is yourself.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thank you. I realise I was the only one that used those words. However, I felt that was the general tone that was being set. As for your opinion on larger people and the government. I hate to tell you this but what people do is their own business, not the governments. The government's job is to make decision on behalf of the people, for the people. It is not to nanny people and tell them what they can and can't eat or drink or anything else. If those larger people posting that it would help them lose weight can't find the motivation without being forced to do it by an airline then you will never do it. The only way to motivate is positively and the only person that can do it is yourself.

I don't disagree with everything you posted. And neither do I agree with everything you posted. That wasn't the issue at all.

But since you raise a further point, I will add my 2 cents. I believe that because the government has 'nannied' people for so long, people want the freedom to do what they want to, but when it comes to sucking up the consequences, they want to blame the government or any other body except themselves.

We are responsible for each and every decision we make. We are equally responsible to live with and / or address the consequences. As a matter of interest, what did you 'interpret though the tone of my message' that gave you some clear indication on my view of people and the government?

I agree with you that it would not be an incentive on a large enough scale to have a significant positive impact. Would it have some impact? I'm sure it would.

What I DID take issue with in your post is assuming that other posters here had either referred or intended to refer to anyone outwith the so-called ideal weight as FAT. I can assure you I'm not alone here when I say that 'fat' is not a word in my everyday vocabulary unless I'm referring to a pile of documents on my desk perhaps. I am not in the habit of referring to people as 'fat'

Your suggestion that most people on here implied it by their tone is quite frankly insulting.

 

[marcgiu]

I have to say that although it will be hard to implement I agree with it.

I do not discriminate against anyone weight/gender/race but as already mentioned for a lot of people being overweight is a choice because you eat to much. I am sure most people want to lose a bit of weight but when we talking about stupidly overweight why shouldn't someone pay extra. Fuel costs are high and its unfair against the person sat next to you.

It goes without saying people with medical issues and pregnant ladies would be excused

I think the main problem is that Air Travel is so driven by Weight/ Fuel balance.
Because of this I can’t see how (if a fair system can be agreed) it won’t happen!!

You couldn’t have a plane that has twice the passenger weight of another – Health and Safety needs to be taken into account. However I am sure that Airlines have a safe “buffer” at the moment to take this into account but this costs money – money which is (in theory) evenly distributed amongst all the passengers.

The more fuel prices go up the more likely some regulation will come in. I believe it will be driven (rightly or wrongly) by Health and Safety rules though.

 

[maznorm]

I am so sorry if you misunderstood. By suggesting that you felt "fat people were getting on your nerves", I was referring to my opinion of how the tone of this thread was set. I was not referring you personally, nor was I saying that anyone had said such a thing.

On another note, if I am fat then I take responsibility for that. I do not expect the government or the airlines, for that matter, to sort it out.

On that, I think we agree

 

[Ciorsdah]

There are very very few things that cause obesity other than bad diet/bad lifestyle choices and lack of exercises.

Medically speaking Cushings (very rare) and having an under active thyroid can cause weight gain, and Prader- Willi syndrome (again very rare genetic issue) has a direct link to obesity.

Pregnant women are only able to fly up to certain stages in the pregancy depending on which airline they fly with, and whilst they gain weight - being pregant should not make you gain an inordinate ammount of weight (I have been informed that in general a healthy pregancy should gain up to 30lbs) and most of the weight is gained post week 20.

Governments have a responsibility for public health and whilst its another fine line between implementation and meddling, the obesity epidemic has started to cost the public money and something does need to be done to stop various health care outlets spilling money into a very preventable issue. Airlines implementing a policy such as an excess weight charge may go a small way to help this, however it may also stand that people affected by the new policy will simply chose not to travel, thus reducing airline profits.


I do think (as I said before) that the overarching idea is a good one, but implementing it without it being discrimination is going to be tough.

 

[DCLMan]

I'm appalled by this and I'm appalled by the people in agreement with it!! Who do these airlines think they are? We all pay the same (ish) for seats. If you are smaller then hey you are more comfy.

What about that poor girl with the 17stone legs? What about pregnant women? What about people with serious medical conditions that increase weight gain? This is absolutely ridiculous!! Even if I was a scrawny little 6 stone nothing I would disagree with this wholeheartedly. Eating disorders are as big a problem to this nation as obesity. Let's encourage that more though hey, because fat people get on your nerves!! DISGUSTING!!

Let's be honest, most people are overweight due to eating to much and not exercising enough.

 

[marcgiu]

On another note, if I am fat then I take responsibility for that. I do not expect the government or the airlines, for that matter, to sort it out.

The Airlines do however need to make accommodations for the weight of their passengers. The key argument is - should this affect the comfort, safety and seat price for other passengers who are of "average" weight. What should be considered average weight is obviously another issue.

I appreciate that its potentially a massive can of worms but given that fuel costs are affected by passenger weight - its a legitimate question.

 

[marcgiu]

Governments have a responsibility for public health and whilst its another fine line between implementation and meddling, the obesity epidemic has started to cost the public money and something does need to be done to stop various health care outlets spilling money into a very preventable issue. Airlines implementing a policy such as an excess weight charge may go a small way to help this, however it may also stand that people affected by the new policy will simply chose not to travel, thus reducing airline profits.

Great point - I would though imagine that if Airlines could reduce fuel costs because of less weight on their planes that they could potentially increase profits.

Fuel must be the biggest overhead at the moment and if they could pass some of this saving onto passengers I would imagine they would be able to offer more competitive prices.

 

[maznorm]

Great point - I would though imagine that if Airlines could reduce fuel costs because of less weight on their planes that they could potentially increase profits.

Fuel must be the biggest overhead at the moment and if they could pass some of this saving onto passengers I would imagine they would be able to offer more competitive prices.

More competitive prices? Yeah, of course that will happen. This isn't just another opportunity to rip decent people off at all.

The Airlines do however need to make accommodations for the weight of their passengers. The key argument is - should this affect the comfort, safety and seat price for other passengers who are of "average" weight. What should be considered average weight is obviously another issue.

I appreciate that its potentially a massive can of worms but given that fuel costs are affected by passenger weight - its a legitimate question.

Wow, the government and the media have done a fantastic job of brain washing you. I'm done here. I can't deal with all of this ignorance.

 

[marcgiu]

More competitive prices? Yeah, of course that will happen. This isn't just another opportunity to rip decent people off at all.



Wow, the government and the media have done a fantastic job of brain washing you. I'm done here. I can't deal with all of this ignorance.

Appreciate that this may be a sensitive issue for you but surely it can't be argued that fuel prices are affected by weight??

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Good incentive for me to shed some weight before my next trip!! Then I can do more shopping.

Lol, that would suit me just fine - I might be able to go twice

.

Yeah, good luck to the airline who tried it first

What's the betting Ryanair will try to do it!

Blimey I don't The taller you are the more weight you are. So we have bigger clothes, bigger shoes, it all weighs more I would also need more shower gel, shampoo etc as I would have a bigger area to wash!!

I must admit to finding the theory of this whole thing slightly amusing, but let's get real here! It is not likely to be allowed and if it were, as someone suggested by reference to Ryan Air it's the kind of stunt that a budget short haul airline would go for.

. Even then, just picture Gatwick at check in during the summer, the departures hall jam packed with passengers and luggage, with each person having to do passports, check ins, then ..... step over there please for us to verify your weight Come on!

Hope Ryanair don't introduce it - . Our clothes probably weigh more than our hand luggage cases.

I am overweight but not massive. My only issue with size, is if you take up two seats you should pay for two seats, not spend 8 hours sharing mine.

Lettuce leaf anyone? Lol...

Absolutely impossible to implement, you would never get that past Brussles, also after 3 weeks on the DDP i wouldn't be able to afford the flight home
I do remember years ago though being on an internal flight from Chicago to Baltimore and i was sat next to someone so large he was spilling into my seat

More competitive prices? Yeah, of course that will happen. This isn't just another opportunity to rip decent people off at all.



Wow, the government and the media have done a fantastic job of brain washing you. I'm done here. I can't deal with all of this ignorance.

The tone in which you think this thread was set as you can see from above is quite a light hearted one.Nobody here is brainwashed or ignorant.Its just a topic brought on by a Norwegian Professors report NOT a government proposal!

 

[Julia Ann]

I think it's a great idea, thin people should be charged less or get a larger luggage allowance.

I agree it's a great idea (being a slim family, at the moment, it wouldn't affect us).....however, and sorry if already posted, didn't have time to read whole thread....what happens if you have eaten loads whilst on your jollys and are heavier on the return trip personally I think it would be an administrative nightmare! If flying isn't expensive enough, i'm quite sure the huge cost of fuel they aready charge us caters for Pooh sized people and huge luggage. Good luck airlines!

 

[queendisney]

why don't the airlines just make the seats smaller for thin/average people and give them less baggage allowance as you don't need so much and you can pay less and leave the so called over 75kg fat people in the seats with the same baggage allowance as they have now. Think of all the extra 'thin' seats they could fit in the plane. That should more then pay for the fat people!

Or maybe have a flight for fatties and a flight for you 'normal' people! That way you can save an extra £30 or so on the fatties fares and have the benefit of knowing how much more fuel efficent your plane is then the fatties one!

For heavens sake....it will never happen, its far to complicated to manage and its personal choice how you live your life. Why should a fat person have to provide a doctors letter to prove why they are fat so you can save money?!


It just annoys me when people think because they are 'perfect weight' they should be treated diffently and have the right to point fingers. By the way if you are obese and pregnant you may not be excused the increase in fare (based on others suggesting pregnant women should be exempt) if you want a fair playing field and fat children either!

Rant over by an overweight with genuine medical reason lady of Surrey. Oh and by the way there are LOTS of other medical reasons why people are overweight then those stated.

 

[wayneg]

I think its time to close before it starts getting too personal.