I’m an American living in Los Angeles. Although obesity is an more of an issue in the U.S., Los Angeles probably has a much lower number of obese people than the Midwest and South.
I have traveled on some very long flights and been trapped on either side by obese people whose shoulders and arms rested over mine. If they take up more space than a seat allows, should they not have to pay for a second seat?
The argument these people make is that they are “disabled” and should not be discriminated against. I believe that passenger fares should be based on dimensions and weight, just as checked baggage is.
I expect to read TONS of answers. To prove my hypothesis, I would appreciate it if you would identify the U.S. city/state or country you live in.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, no one mentioned the issue of safety - what if a passenger can’t crawl over or get past an obese person on his/her way to the exit? What if a passenger is too large to fit through the emergency exit door? It was SIZE, not really weight, that concerned me. Planes re-fuel before take-off and, being unable to determine the total weight of its passengers and cargo, generally put more fuel than is needed as a safeguard. Depending on the actual weight of the airplane, as well as how long it may have had to be in a holding pattern, fuel is almost ALWAYS dumped well before landing. Thanks for your answers. I’ll put the question up for a vote. Sadly, “more” doesn’t always mean better.
