User Comments

1. 

   4/17/09

   jflower36

   Unfortunately it's only fair to the person who would be sitting next to someone who doesn't fit. That person ends up being so squished that they can't breathe. I've seen this happen. Not to say that I don't feel for the obsese person...I do.

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   1. 

      4/17/09

      timethief

      Well said. I have been squished on more than one flight and I support this change. When you pay for a seat, you should get a seat and sitting next to a large person means you get only half a seat.
2. 

   4/17/09

   busylizzy

   Everyone needs to be securely into their seats with the seatbelt so it's a safety issue too.
   
   Many airlines give a discount for seats for children under a certain age. I am wondering if giving this discount for the second seat of a person who needs two seats should be offered. It would a nice gesture and compromise.
   
   Everyone is assigned a certain "box" of space that they shouldn't cross otherwise they are invading the other person's "personal space." Different cultures have different comfort zones for what is too close for comfort. This needs to be respected. My husand who is smallish used to go on lots of business trips. He has been squished from both sides by huge people before and not once did one ever say "Hey, sorry for squeezing and leaning and crushing you."
   
   First class seats are wider and have more legroom. People who need more room should compare the price of two regular seats or one first class seat and make a decision with the goal of "not wanting to crush the guy next to me" in mind.

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3. 

   4/17/09

   melindaville

   I don't know. I've been obese in the past, although I am not at all obese today.
   
   When I quit doing heroin, I spent the first year eating chocolate frosting out of the can and crying. I gained about 50 lbs in that year, making me obese. When I finally went to a doctor, I learned I also learned I had a hypoactive thyroid, which caused me to gain that weight more quickly than I might have had I only been eating chocolate frosting.
   
   I could not believe how I was treated by society when I was that overweight. Interestingly, women were meaner to me than men were. I felt very much as though I was discriminated against and often, people said or did hurtful things that really stuck with me.
   
   My point is that there are some people who face a genetic uphill battle when it comes to their weight. I REALLY have to watch what I eat or I would gain weight easily. It's true that I work out and eat healthily today but with so much poverty and healthy food being difficult for some to afford, I see the complexities of the obesity issue.
   
   What is someone has a loved one who has died and has to fly to be at the funeral? What if this person can't afford two seats? It seems we might show more compassion in our society for people who suffer from obesity.
   
   On the other hand, I understand that it is terribly uncomfortable to be squished and don't think it is fair to seat someone in a seat they can't ride comfortably in.
   
   I just think we discriminate too much against those who are fat--there are a lot of reasons why someone might battle obesity, other than food.

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   1. 

      4/17/09

      satijournal

      According to a Seinfeld episode, you can get a discount if you're going to a funeral. Ref: George trying to scam a discount.
   2. 

      4/17/09

      melindaville

      I remember that Seinfeld episode. That George was a kicker!
4. 

   4/17/09

   onceafortnight

   I want to know what they meant by they would only charge for 2 seats if an alternative solution couldn't be found.
   
   What alternative? Strap them to the wing? Stuff them in the cargo hold?

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   1. 

      4/17/09

      Friday13

      Well, they can only strap them to the wing if someone of equal weight can be strapped to the other one. Wouldn't want the plane to fly sideways!