Pooh sized people beware!

[2Tiggies]

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.

I also don't think they could ever have a system of weighing every individual for precise weights. What if it changes from when you booked 11 months ago?! Best they could do is to have set zones and randomly check anyone who appears to have paid for the wrong 'zone' and they would have to leave a lot of leeway in those. 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!

 

[Kath2003]

I always thought the perk of being small and slim was a roomier seat (plus maintaining a healthy weight generally helps in all you do!) but if people want to start giving me cheaper flights, game on! Sucks for tall people, though - maybe they'll have to start using BMI?!?

 

[mackay_j]

I can see a version of this happenng (and I think I have read that it may well be in place for some internal us flights ) There is a limit for a normal seat and if above that limit - you have to either in some flights - buy 2 seats or in other airlines purchace the larger version seats - I am sure I have read this in another forum.

Hope Ryanair don't introduce it - I fly back and forward to our caravan in loire and try take only hand luggage - but my multi pocketed coat - weighs a tonne - its conseals camera, books, kindle, food (gluten free stuff) and even clothes when my case is full. We have also been known to travel with 5 layers of clothing. Our clothes probably weigh more than our hand luggage cases.

 

[Kath2003]

That's why I said "most" and not "all" - you're almost 4 stone under "average"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11534042

If those numbers are real, that means the average UK man and the average UK woman is "overweight" (based on BMI) I can't believe that? If so, we got bigger problems than flying!

 

[BethEJo]

If those numbers are real, that means the average UK man and the average UK woman is "overweight" (based on BMI) I can't believe that? If so, we got bigger problems than flying!

Oh, I can totally believe that - agreed, it is a huge problem!! However, whilst BMI is a great quick 'tool', it is no where near accurate for everyone, especially muscular people - although, I'm guessing those people make up a minority of our population?

As someone who used to really be quite overweight, I actually wouldn't totally be against this - for many, being overweight is a 'choice' in a way (although, for a small percentage it's of course due to medical reasons - but we're talking really quite a small percentage). However, agreed with many others, this just ain't gonna happen!

I am tall and have finally reached my 'normal' BMI, but I fear I would still be made to pay under this kind of scheme because of my height! I think we're OK at the moment though....

 

[scoobydooby]

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.

 

[crabbie1]

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.

Lol. I agree with that!! On a more serious note this would never ever happen over here. There is so much discrimination; demographical ; ethical and racism that will come into this I dread to think. In my nursing code of practice this would be classed as an absolute invasion of privacy and cause real problems. Im not fat but not a breath of fresh air either. Personally I think they will open a big can of worms.

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[2Tiggies]

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.

I do agree with this point. But it's not often that you end up in a situation like that. I don't think I ever had and if I did, I would complain

That said, it's nothing recent for airlines to have written in their terms and conditions that if you require extra space, you are welcome to purchase an additional seat. I must be honest, if you keep reading through the rest of their clauses, elsewhere you will see why I'd have my reservations for doing that on the basis that they go on to state that despite their best endeavours, they cannot guarantee seats together Imagine checking in and getting your boarding pass for the left side of your body: Seat 17K; for the right side of your body: 41C. "Sorry sir, the flight is full. You will have to see if anyone is willing to swap ...." Life doesn't always make sense but sometimes it's plain ridiculous

 

[crabbie1]

I do agree with this point. But it's not often that you end up in a situation like that. I don't think I ever had and if I did, I would complain

That said, it's nothing recent for airlines to have written in their terms and conditions that if you require extra space, you are welcome to purchase an additional seat. I must be honest, if you keep reading through the rest of their clauses, elsewhere you will see why I'd have my reservations for doing that on the basis that they go on to state that despite their best endeavours, they cannot guarantee seats together Imagine checking in and getting your boarding pass for the left side of your body: Seat 17K; for the right side of your body: 41C. "Sorry sir, the flight is full. You will have to see if anyone is willing to swap ...." Life doesn't always make sense but sometimes it's plain ridiculous

Lol.

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[Ciorsdah]

I might be a bit controversial but if there were a way which this could be implemented then I would support it. Clearly, this basic straw man idea is riddled with moral issues and is a discrimination suit waiting to happen.

But, the sad fact is that fuel isn't getting cheaper and the heavier a flight is the more fuel it uses. The material that aircrafts are made out of are lighter. The passengers are getting heavier and we are already being penalised for heavy bags. Why not be charged when your combined baggage and body weight exceeds the limit (ex children and babies)?
I understand that there are some medical conditions that promote weight gain,and perhaps these people have a medical exclusion or similar.

It is unlikely to come into force so I'm just speculating!

 

[Kath2003]

The major airlines will start charging for bags long before this happens, anyway. 20kg+ is already LOADS of stuff!

 

[RDP]

Lettuce leaf anyone? Lol...

 

[Laszkowicz]

I also can't see it happening.


But as a small guy , I do think a combined bmi and case weight would be a good idea.
Fuel is expensive and on the increase and let's face it the uk is getting heavier.

Why should I pay the same as a 130kg person when I'm only 60kg.
I little extra bag allowance for lightweights wouldn't go amiss.

If they wanted to play these rupees of games then how come all seats on the plane aren't sold at same price ? Similar sort of situation.


It would be hard to set boundaries / brackets and is loaded with possible human rights issues / complaints.

 

[ludari]

I had to do this for military flights but it was more for fuel and proper weight distribution not for cost.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

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

 

[maznorm]

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!!

 

[Rach78]

Perhaps if the combined weight of you and you baggage is below a certain amount you pay a bit less and so on in categories. Therefore you would still have the option of taking less luggage if you want to pay less. It does seem slightly unfair just now that someone weighing 7 stone gets charged for their luggage being 2kg over whereas someone twice that weight could in theory pay nothing if their luggage is under 23kg. Obviously anyone pregnant or with a medical letter would be exempt. However as others have said, this will probably never happen due to the outcry it would cause but I do agree with aspects of this in theory as at the end of the day the reality is that the heavier the cargo the more fuel is consumed thus costs more. Who should therefore be responsible for covering this cost?

 

[pascalstongue]

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!!

I agree it is totally ridiculous and NEVER going to happen. At the very least it would be indirect sexual discrimination due to the fact that men are usually larger than women. There are already benefits to being slimmer when flying.

 

[OhanaSam]

It will probably never happen but maybe if it did it would encourage people to lose weight which definitely wouldn't be a bad thing. If people keep eating the way they are now everyone will be like the people in Wall.e lol

 

[2Tiggies]

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!!

I'm not appalled by it at all. I see issues which I would disagree with but can't say I'd fight it outright.

We have a HUGE problem with obesity in this country. The government has been unsuccessful in addressing this so if airlines took the lead would it really be a bad thing?

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

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