Obese have right to 2 airline seats: Canada court

Nemesis;

I could have been more diplomatic myself. Sorry for any untoward language. It is easy for me to get confused sometimes.

Lets all get huge and complain about everything.

Do they get two meals? Will they eat them both? If they eat them they should be ejected at a high altitude above sea.

I have no sympathy for fat people.

If you are tall, thats fine. If you are fat because you likes the pies get off the earth.

Obese people should have right to two seats. How much they are charged is strictly between themselves and the airlines.

On a trip to the US, I had the misfortune of being seated next to a particularly large gentleman. I have no problems accommodating another human beings needs but over six hour flight, there was the issue of being crushed and sweated upon. I know broaching this subject is not acceptable in polite society but I suffered the consequences and wish to convey the matter of not being allowed to enjoy a seat I had paid hard earned cash.

When the gentleman arrived on the plane, he had the audacity to demand that the armrest between us be lifted. Of coarse I refused and hoped that it would have sufficed in protecting my territory. I never in my wildest imaginations could have anticipated a subterranean invasion from under the armrest itself!

Fortunately I was able to snag one of the dinner trays on my frequent journeys to the lavs during the futile attempts of drying my trousers. I carefully hid the tray under my shirt and returned to my seat. When the gentleman eventually went to the WC, I took the opportunity to jam the tray in the void of my side of the armrest.

There were protestations all around for which I gleefully relented upon having been offered an up graded to first class.

So how long will it be before all airfares go up to accommodate the loss that the airline takes? How will they determine who can have the two seats for the price of one? If the large person is in denial and their body is overflowing into my seat I would demand a free second seat. I can't stand someone being crammed up next to me.

I want two seats for the price of one too! I'm "Functionally disabled" by traveling with children.

Speaking of which, restaurants should give me two meals for the price of one, because I have to feed my wife and kids.

Gas should be cheaper for me because my vehicle gets horrible gas mileage.

My water bill should be discounted because my pre-teen daughter likes to take hour long showers.

My electric bill should be cheaper because I do a lot of welding.

The speed limit should not apply whenever I am in a hurry.

My mortgage payment should drop proportionately with my income.

My job should pay me more than my co-workers because I have more expenses.

etc. etc. etc.

Using the same logic, health insurance should be cheaper for smokers because their health care requirements are statistically higher. I'm not a "fat-basher" as the OP stated, but this is simply ridiculous.

If you have two seats, whether it's because you wanted both or needed both, you should have to pay for both.

If life were "fair", nobody would be overweight anyway.

I want to know who this character is that keeps telling people life is fair anyway.

Im 6'4" and wide shouldered and every time I fly my knees grind into the metal rear of the seat in front of me, which is usually occupied by some jackass who has decided to recline it backward for my ultimate displeasure.

And if I should be forced to sit in this tiny sardine can for nine hours next to some lady holding a four year old who is crying and spitting and kicking me in the ribs every five seconds while Im trying to sleep... then I should AT LEAST be relatively comfortable in the meantime.

Flying sucks.

Im going to say it, and I know i'll get crap for it but oh well..

Being that obese is disgusting. period. Only a very small percentage of people in the world get that fat because of genetics. The rest of these walking heart attacks is due to their own laziness.

How many fat people have you seen come out of military boot camp?

Exactly.

Its called effort. If you work hard, eat right, and exercise, chances are you wont be fat. If you decide to sit on your bum all day, eat french fries and pizza, and do nothing to better yourself then of course your going to be fat, as well as a risk to your own health.

Why are we not demonizing obesity? Is it not disturbing to see so many fat people? Who cares if we hurt their feelings, sometimes that is what it takes to get them to realize they are doing themselves no good and need to start working towards a healtheir lifestyle. I for one am fed up with hearing that its ok to be fat. ITS NOT.

So now when Obama gets elected and tries to implement universal health care, us tax payers are going to be paying for these morbidly obese people and their constant doctor visits due to their poor health. If I am paying someones healthcare, I want to be absolutely sure they are doing their best to be as healthy as possibly. Otherwise they are nothing but a waste of our tax money. Heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, broken bones, joint pain, depression... these are all side effects of obesity. These are side effects that we as tax payers will be forced to pay for.

So yes, I said it. Its NOT ok to be fat. It never was. We need to stop making people think its ok to live such horrible lifestyles, and maybe then, people will get off their lazy butts and try to become a healthier individual.


(As I said before, a very small percentage is actually caused by genetics - the rest of the fat crowd gets no sympathy from me. I'm not skinny by any means, but I also exercise and eat healthy. I could eat three double cheeseburgers, a large fry, and a milk shake - but I dont.. know why? Because i'd turn into a disgusting fat body.)

I feel sorry for anyone who has to sit next to these people not only on planes, but public transportation as well. Its not right to cause somebody else greif because you cant say no to a super sized meal.

reply to post by deadline527

---

I agree there really isnt an excuse for anyone to be morbidly obese, but these airplanes were designed evidently for 5'2" 130 lb Chinamen or something....they sure didnt have the average American in mind.

Super fat people do it to themselves for the most part and that is a seperate matter entirely, but why cant these planes be designed with some leg room and a little elbow room? Why must we all be crammed together in such a horrible manner?

I have a borderline phobia of germs and I hate it when I am forced to be in direct contact with strangers. For some reason I never get lucky and get a seat next to some nice looking female. I always get the fat guy who snores and farts and insists on touching me every ten seconds. Kids are the worst.

So, most people agree, that they do not want someone larger sitting next to them, and flowing into their seat. But still you insist that they MUST be squeezed into a tiny seat, where they obviously do not fit... Therefor, shoving them into you anyway??

This can be seen both ways. Large people are human beings. I am sick of everyone treating others as second-class citizens. It is sick.

Personally, I love my 'personal space' being mine alone, and do not want to have to share a space with someone who cannot physically keep out of my 'personal space' either.

Human beings shouldn't be treated with so much lack of respect. You people are CRUEL, and I saw this coming.

reply to post by deadline527

---

You obviously do not know that there is more to being obese than laziness?

It's been said before, and people do not seem to get it. A depressed person does not have the energy needed to get up and jog around town everyday. An overworked person does not have the energy to cook a healthy meal at the end of the day.
A few extra pounds can turn into depression, that causes so much weight to pile on.

As far as I know, many people are obese because they are simply depressed, and instead of having a friend to offer companionship, some turn to food for comfort, because people have turned their backs on them.

Depression causes a lot of self-destructive behaviour. For some it causes anorexia. For others, maybe cutting. All of which will be criticized by those of you who are perfect in every way.
Afterall, isn't that why people attack others? Not because they are insecure in their own lives, right?

So if you believe that large people are the result of their own bad decisions, poor lifestyle and whatnot, do you think that we should not accommodate someone in a wheelchair who got that way because of driving while drunk or say cliff diving?

I'm just wondering if we should qualify whether someone is worthy of special consideration. If you think you shouldn't have a large individual sitting next to you, can I specify I don't want someone old, or a child, or of a different race than me? How about someone with a handicap if I know it was because of some stupid decision they made earlier in life? What if my seat mate has acne? Or is bald (ewwwwww)?

Likewise, if someone is fat because they have to take steroids, do you think we should have compassion for them allow them to have two seats? Should they wear some sort of sign which tells you they are fat from some sort of medical problem and that way, you'll know not to hate them?

How about fat people who are in a wheelchair? Should they not be accommodated on an airplane?

Am I allowed to designate that I don't want some fitness buff sitting next to me because they sweat and are often self-righteous or nasty to others?

If you could expand upon your theory of who to discriminate against, I'd really appreciate it.

And you're obviously still under the impression that life is fair.

Do I think an obese person should be "forced to squeeze into one seat"? No. That would put them in as much discomfort as the guy next to him, and obese or not, I do have compassion for my fellow human beings.

So, should they be given a free seat? No. In fact, I think those that are overly obese should be required to purchase a second seat. I wouldn't let them wedge themselves into a single if they wanted to.

Special requirements come at a special cost. Flying is expensive enough, and I'll be damned if I'll agree to pay more for my seat in order to offset the free seats given away to those that are too fat to fit in one.

Should they get free knee replacements too? I mean, they've got to carry around all that extra weight, the knees they're born with just don't cut the mustard. We should all chip in and make sure they all get free titanium suspension systems too, right?

Again, if you need to seats, you need to pay for two seats. Do you not understand that these additional seats are not actually "free"? Do you not understand that someone is going to pay for them? Do you not understand that that someone is everyone else buying a ticket?

Your justification for giving them a free seat is simply the fact that they need it. This logic is laughable. I need to eat, but I can't seem to convince anyone to give me free food. I needed equipment for my business, guess what... No dice, had to pay for it.

Ever wonder why it costs more to ship large, heavy packages than small, light packages? They take more space on the plane, and require more fuel to fly. Humans are no different.

The only thing more ridiculous than this discussion is the ruling the discussion revolves around.

Again, it's not free just because you need it.

reply to post by LostNemesis

---

you are right, many poeple dont fit into airline seats, but here is the kicker...... MOST PEOPLE DO.
If im gettin charged 40 euro to bring a bag on a plane when the fella im sittin next to gets charged the same but is twice the size of me your god damn right im gonna complain

We arent treating them like second class citizens. But When you let laziness get in the way of life, there are consequences. We the non fat people have to pay for the fat persons decisions?? Sure, give them two seats, but make them pay for it. If they dont want to pay for it keep them on stand by until two seats together can become available if the flight isnt sold out.

Id gladly switch seats around to give a fat person two seats if the flight isnt sold out. this case, the fat person wont have to pay more.

But if that's not the case, then too bad. Should I, at 6'2'' 200lbs (some muscles, no fat, but still hard to sit) be allowed to stretch my legs out so that i feel the same comfort as a 5'7'' person gets??? It is the same case as a fat person demanding to lift the arm rest or completely enveloping it.


Quit complaining at skip the next mcdonalds you drive by. Go to the gym. You'll be surprised at results even after a month. Flame me all you want, but its a fact. Im just bringing it to you. When I was in college I almost took a turn to fatville. I was drinking beer, eating In n Out burger( you have to try one if you haven't) And I stopped exercising. I hit 230lbs and noticed an overall health setback. I didn't need to airplane seats, but I could see where this road was leading. What'd I do? I STOPPED. I limited myself to beer once or twice a month, cut the soda and fast food out and started cooking at home more. Magically im back to 200 and have never felt better.

I understand everyone is different, but its pure laziness and bad habits that get in the way of progress.

now if the person has an actual medical condition.. i.e a thyroid problem.. Then I believe the airline should cover the price of that second seat. the % is so small, the gesture alone would make them look like a better company and offset any costs.

reply to post by VelmaLu

---

the line is drawn of course. But lets get one thing straight people. FLYING IS A LUXURY.

If you are required to fly for work, then work should cover the costs of lying for a fat person. If that prevents you from getting a job, GO TO THE GYM.

The person in the wheel chair still gets one seat sir, drunk driver or not. So I fail to see your point.


The sweaty person who is buff can be the sweaty person who is fat. Sweat and hygiene is luck of the draw when going out into public. Again, I fail to see the point.

Honestly, if you think you are the picture of perfection, then that is a matter of debate as well. No offense, but if that was directed to me, you failed in your judgement, and perhaps I should be considering YOU overweight, huh?

What is to keep me from thinking YOU are a large lazy person? If you didn't want your stats involved, why throw them into the topic being discussed?

Shame I wouldn't stoop to that level. I have too much respect for people who are struggling. Seriously, no need to brag. Not everyone sees you as perfection either.

I think there should only be an exception of the person is obese for medical reasons.
Diabetes, hormone issues, disabled.

But if there is not a medical reason that can be proven, then I think they should pay.

If I have to pay for my 39 lb 2 y.o. They should have to pay.

I'm just wondering what I should tell my friend Dave.

You see, he used to like to get real drunk all the time. Last time out on the lake, Dave got hammered, and dove off the fly bridge of a boat, breaking his neck. You know, one of those, "Hey look everyone" moments in life. He's been paralyzed for the past 16 years due to his own stupidity.

We try hard not to hold it against him.

Since that time, Dave has put on quite a bit of weight (but hasn't been able to drink). He travels with a nurse who rivals an East German weight lifter because she has to be able to physically move him from the chair to his bed, so clearly she should be charged more for her seat. And, we really have to take into consideration the weight of his motorized chair (several hundred pounds), so I think we should charge him extra since he takes up more room and weight and after all, did it to himself.

Whatya think? Should he be charged more?

reply to post by LostNemesis

---

I directed my remarks at you because you seem to be on the other side of the debate. Where did I say I was perfection? I threw my stats in there because I have a hard time sitting because I am tall. Others who are taller have an even worse time than I.

Your whole response to me seems uber-defensive. And this is spiraling into the pits of a debate here. My picture is up on my avatar. As you can see I am NOT fat. Sorry. Im not ashamed of it either. I am not lazy, I work out and diet. If everyone worked out and dieted in the US we wouldn't be one of the most obese countries of all time.

That doesnt mean I dont have compassion, but when you expect me to pay extra money on my ticket to pay for the extra seat for the fat person, I take offense.

Since we are all equal I will be claiming my 2 seats as well. Why should fat people have more rights than skinny? or mediocre?