United to charge obese people for 2 seats

[BigSqwert]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/04...ngers-more.html

 

Oh my. Can they do this?

[Y2HH]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/04...ngers-more.html

 

Oh my. Can they do this?

 

I don't see why not. If you're using 2 seats -- pay for them. Because I can tell you as a smaller person, I'm not a fan of paying for *MY* seat and having to share it with someone else.

[BigSqwert]

I don't see why not. If you're using 2 seats -- pay for them. Because I can tell you as a smaller person, I'm not a fan of paying for *MY* seat and having to share it with someone else.

Can't say I disagree with you but how will this help their struggling image? They're already known for god-awful customer service and they're always on the brink of bankruptcy.

[shipps]

Of course they can do this, Southwest airlines already does it. My buddy had to pay for two seats which was nice for me because I was in the same row with him so I had the extra space.

 

If they didnt cram everyone in there like a pack of gum there would be no need for s*** like this.

[BigSqwert]

If they didnt cram everyone in there like a pack of gum there would be no need for s*** like this.

Not sure if I follow you there.

[lostfan]

I mean, it sucks to be charged for a companion to travel with you that's not there, but also if your ass takes up 2 seats, that's one less person that can ride the plane.

[BigSqwert]

One can look at this as additional incentive to not go to McDonald's 25 times per month.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

It's a service they provide. If you take up more than one seat then yeah, they should be able to charge you for doing so. Sucks for those people who are obese, but at the same time, it also sucks for those who get crammed next to them. Not trying to be insensitive, just stating how it is

[shipps]

Not sure if I follow you there.

 

oh that was just me making a weird analogy cause I didnt know how to spell sardines

[NorthSideSox72]

I know a lot of people who like the idea of having the larger seats and leg room you get in business or first class, and could care less about all the fru-fru s*** ("fancy" food, fancy eating ware, hot towels, etc.). I am surprised that the airlines haven't yet employed a section in larger aircraft with business class seating and no other frills - and charge somewhere between coach and business class (since biz class is so much more expensive). I'd be all over that. I'm 6'3" and have broad shoulders - my ass fits fine in one seat thank you, but I could use the extra room.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

oh that was just me making a weird analogy cause I didnt know how to spell sardines

This post is awesome.

 

[BigSqwert]

oh that was just me making a weird analogy cause I didnt know how to spell sardines

So Jim Gaffiganesque.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I know a lot of people who like the idea of having the larger seats and leg room you get in business or first class, and could care less about all the fru-fru s*** ("fancy" food, fancy eating ware, hot towels, etc.). I am surprised that the airlines haven't yet employed a section in larger aircraft with business class seating and no other frills - and charge somewhere between coach and business class (since biz class is so much more expensive). I'd be all over that. I'm 6'3" and have broad shoulders - my ass fits fine in one seat thank you, but I could use the extra room.

 

Ya for real. I'm 6'1" with broad shoulders and should probably lose 20 lbs so I fit fine in a seat, but I'd gladly pay a little extra for a seat with a little more leg room just to strecth out some. I dont need all the other stuff that comes with business/1st class but just a little extra room for the legs would be very nice

[Y2HH]

I know a lot of people who like the idea of having the larger seats and leg room you get in business or first class, and could care less about all the fru-fru s*** ("fancy" food, fancy eating ware, hot towels, etc.). I am surprised that the airlines haven't yet employed a section in larger aircraft with business class seating and no other frills - and charge somewhere between coach and business class (since biz class is so much more expensive). I'd be all over that. I'm 6'3" and have broad shoulders - my ass fits fine in one seat thank you, but I could use the extra room.

 

I agree with this, it'd be nice to see. However, that will cost an already ailing industry even more revenue just based on how much it costs to fuel/maintain/fly those planes -- less seats = less money = less profit.

 

Just as a person who takes care of themselves, when I pay for my seat I'm not a fan of sharing it with someone who doesn't.

[NorthSideSox72]

I agree with this, it'd be nice to see. However, that will cost an already ailing industry even more revenue just based on how much it costs to fuel/maintain/fly those planes -- less seats = less money = less profit.

 

Just as a person who takes care of themselves, when I pay for my seat I'm not a fan of sharing it with someone who doesn't.

That is why they should charge more for the extra space, but not the differential cost of that added crap. Even if you do it on a cost-flat basis, they'd actually make MORE money, because they'd draw a new revenue base. It doesn't have to be a marketing cost.

 

 

[Y2HH]

That is why they should charge more for the extra space, but not the differential cost of that added crap. Even if you do it on a cost-flat basis, they'd actually make MORE money, because they'd draw a new revenue base. It doesn't have to be a marketing cost.

 

I'm sure if it were that easy for them to make more money, they'd have done it by now. One of the airlines, big or small would have tried it by now...but the fact that the entire industry, including profitable airlines like Southwest, haven't done it means it probably won't increase revenue or profits.

[NorthSideSox72]

I'm sure if it were that easy for them to make more money, they'd have done it by now. One of the airlines, big or small would have tried it by now...but the fact that the entire industry, including profitable airlines like Southwest, haven't done it means it probably won't increase revenue or profits.

Possibly, but, the airlines are running in fear mode right now and not trying new stuff. Don't want to take the chance.

 

Also, SW is single class of service and would never do something like this in any case.

 

[SoxFan562004]

This is awesome and to me the complete right thing to do. I hope it survives the lawsuits.

[Dick Allen]

Possibly, but, the airlines are running in fear mode right now and not trying new stuff. Don't want to take the chance.

 

Also, SW is single class of service and would never do something like this in any case.

I think either AA or United offers a section with a few more inches of room for extra cash. As far as the extra ticket for heavy people, I maybe can understand it, but they had a show "Airline" on a few years ago which basically showed Southwest in action and the humility the people who were told they would need to purchase another ticket went through was heartbreaking to me.

 

I'm not fat, 6'5", 208 lbs. of rompin', stompin' in your face dynamite, and sometimes wonder what people who can hardly breath or walk are doing when they are throwing down a large deep dish pizza, but heavy people are victims of prejudice as it is. If you ever watched "Airline", you would see how humiliating the extra charge is. I would even say mean. If the seats were made for anyone but an average sized human in 1960, I may sympathize with the airline.

[Y2HH]

Life isn't fair. Deal with it.

[shipps]

I cant get the link anymore but I am pretty sure they said if the person is not able to put on a seatbelt with an extension. If you still cant put on a seatbelt with an extension you really should be paying for three seats cause your a fat f*** and you need to look at how you are living your life.

[kapkomet]

I know a lot of people who like the idea of having the larger seats and leg room you get in business or first class, and could care less about all the fru-fru s*** ("fancy" food, fancy eating ware, hot towels, etc.). I am surprised that the airlines haven't yet employed a section in larger aircraft with business class seating and no other frills - and charge somewhere between coach and business class (since biz class is so much more expensive). I'd be all over that. I'm 6'3" and have broad shoulders - my ass fits fine in one seat thank you, but I could use the extra room.

Airtran does.

[NorthSideSox72]

Airtran does.

Really? Interesting. I think they only fly to a few places direct from Midway though - ATL, MSP, maybe one or two others. But now that I don't travel regularly and will be slowly losing all my elite statuses with AA and others, I'll be just choosing the best deal, so I may have to keep them in mind.

 

[DABearSoX]

you have to look at the weight issue as well...obese = more weight on plane = more likely to be over weight restrictions.

Edited April 15, 2009 by DABearSoX

[DBAHO]

I am never flying United again after the 1 experience I had with them, delayed both ways on my first trip to Chicago, with no customer service at all.

 

But as for what they're doing, I don't see a major issue with it.