New premier bonus coming - no fat surcharge

[Amerrican]

United today announced strict guidelines for the double charge for "fat people".

BLOOMBERG LINK

Like the luggage charge, I'm expecting that this charge will be waived as a "bonus" for Premier, or at least 1Ks.

[samh004]

On the one hand it's an outrage and civil liberties groups will have none of it. On the other hand it's perfectly fine, the majority of people can fit in those seats, just because "Joe" can't stop eating doesn't mean anyone else should have less room sat next to them.

About time being obese was considered a negative, Australia's going that way too now (fat).

[presto]

I totally agree, if they need two seats they should pay for them. Also, from a family of 'average weight people' l resent paying extra for excess luggage when others are allowed 40-5o kgs or even more excess weight on their bodies!

[samh004]

I totally agree, if they need two seats they should pay for them. Also, from a family of 'average weight people' l resent paying extra for excess luggage when others are allowed 40-5o kgs or even more excess weight on their bodies!

You'll have to buy a trench coat with lots of pockets then to get your fair share of stuff on board.

[anat0l]

I have no objection to the charge. At least my weight of recent is going in the direction of no-fat-fines...thank goodness!

There are supposedly people who are obese for 'medical' reasons through no fault of their own. Perhaps they'll get their extra seat for free upon medical/doctor proof. Everyone else - extra seat please.

Mind you, even when I was heavier, I still fit in a 737 or Dash 8 seat without spillage into the next seat. Naturally, I sat a bit more 'tightly' compared to if I was sitting in any other seat; whilst I could really spread out if I wanted to, I'm mostly more paranoid about invading someone's space compared to that person being paranoid about my invading their space.

The way things are going, one day they'll resort to total weight basis, i.e. weigh you and your luggage.

The whole argument seems very anti-libertarian and highly discriminatory, though. How did some airlines manage to pass such a rule, especially in North America in the guise of the (in)famous Canadian court ruling?

[trooper]

I don't get the "discrimination" aspect...

If you need two seats it is appropriate that you pay for them....

After all....If you need a bigger-than-economy-size-car no manufacturer will say ""Oh.. you are too big to fit in our $13999 model.. you can have the more expensive and bigger one for the same price"

No supermarket will say.. "You are bigger and eat more... but we'll only charge you the same for your mountain of red meat as what we charge that 4'11" 45kg Vegan over there for their groceries".....

Clothing manufacturers routinely charge extra for sizes above "big"....

Bring ON the combined personal and baggage weight system!!! It is the only truly FAIR way to do it....

(No? Then why is it OK for Air freight?)

[stryker]

I don't get the "discrimination" aspect...

If you need two seats it is appropriate that you pay for them....

Bring ON the combined personal and baggage weight system!!! It is the only truly FAIR way to do it....

I'm 100% with you on that one trooper.

I don't see why I should be penalised (by some horrible dragon-lady check-in person (read Virgin Blue)) when my carry-on weighs 7.1 Kg and someone weighing 200+ Kg gets off scot free!

What a disgrace!

[anat0l]

How do you tell a customer that they need to pay a fat surcharge or purchase an extra seat?

Airline Staff: "Sir, we will need to charge you an extra fee."
Customer: [gruffly taken aback] "What for???"
Airline Staff: "According to our terms of carriage*, you're too fat for one seat, sir." [cue awkwardness]

* note: pun not intended

[samh004]

Granted it need work.

You can have a weight in the T&C, but you can't weigh every passenger prior to flight so it'd need a keen eye. And then what happens when someone thinks you're overweight, but you aren't. That leaves a bad memory on a customer.

Anyway, there has to be a way for the company to make this work without offending the fatter individuals that just make the grade.

And yes, I realise some people have medical reasons for being overweight, but I'd guess a proper medical condition/doctors certificate would fix that issue. For a while.

[JohnK]

Hmmm.... Another airline introducing a "fat surcharge"! I don't need a second seat but they will be losing any potential business from me....