2 seats if too fat?

if i could erect a small forcefield one feet around me

Probably have problems getting it though security at the moment:D

[ChuckC]

Originally posted by pixuk
I tip my cap to you, G_NEUS, for a well reasoned arguement.

My best friend of 23 years is in the 26 stone plus bracket - many of you would have met him at the occassional V-Flyer social. He knows the reason why he's a big lad - it's because he eats more than his body burns.

Pete

A very fine lad and a wonderful guy, that he is!

Chuck-

Originally posted by Scrooge
....he is a big guy and cannot fit in a single Y seat, honestly he cannot fit in a W or UCS either, so he does buy 2 seats in advance and warns the airlines of the situation.

It's probably just me, but I can't get over the idea of someone trying to occupy two UC suites - now that would be a 'person of size'! Edited to add: Not to mention, a 'person of remarkable shape'!

I have found myself unwillingly sharing Y and W seats (not at the same time) with an overweight stranger before now, and it isn't a pleasant experience. I don't feel as sensitive about personal space as some, but there are limits. It leads me to buying the best seat I can afford when I am paying for myself and, thanks to advice on this board, that is most often UC or CW. If I couldn't do this I would find travel a far more irritating, uncomfortable and frustrating affair - the idea of a London-Sydney in these conditions doesn't bear thinking about. I book myself in Y on short-hauls, so I still have an interest, and I think SWA's policy is fair all round. I'd be happy to see it extended.

Best wishes

David

I guess I used a poor example to open this thread, but really we are talking more about size rather than weight. Weight is just often used as a proxy measure for size. Whether you are a 7ft body builder or a 5ft sphere, you are still likely to be encrouching on others' space and hence detracting from their in-flight experience. If there are clear upfront rules such as the ones I proposed then the passengers can choose how they want to travel. Market forces would then determine the winning formula.

I know that all other things being equal, I would choose to travel on an airline where a certain amount of personal space was guaranteed. I would even pay a premium to do so If there are enough people who think like me then that airline will do well.

A counter-argument could be that if I wanted to guarantee a certain amount of space then I should choose (as I often do nowadays) to fly in the premium cabins or not to fly at all. But then if i am making that choice based on a fear that my allocated Y space is at risk of being taken away from me then that is not fair and the people taking it away from me should be paying more.

How about this for another wacky idea? You could keep the same seat structure, but have certain rows allocated for people weighing (I really mean above a certain size here) 70kg and under, some for 70 to 90, 90 to 110, 110 to 140 and some for 140+. The seat prices could remain the same, but if you felt that as a 140kg person it was ok([}:)]) to travel in a standard Y seat then you could be sat next to someone who feels the same way as you.

The passengers who should pay for extra seats are the ones who smell IMHO.

...and they do...I sat next to a lady once in PE who really stank on the way to NY[:$]

VS.

Now this is going downhill ... but I can't help but ask, did the nose-wrinkling lady light some matches to deodorise the air [:p]

Originally posted by G_NEUS

How about this for another wacky idea? You could keep the same seat structure, but have certain rows allocated for people weighing (I really mean above a certain size here) 70kg and under, some for 70 to 90, 90 to 110, 110 to 140 and some for 140+. The seat prices could remain the same, but if you felt that as a 140kg person it was ok([}:)]) to travel in a standard Y seat then you could be sat next to someone who feels the same way as you.

Yes, we are getting a little off topic, but to bring it back, what do you think about the above idea?

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by G_NEUS


How about this for another wacky idea? You could keep the same seat structure, but have certain rows allocated for people weighing (I really mean above a certain size here) 70kg and under, some for 70 to 90, 90 to 110, 110 to 140 and some for 140+. The seat prices could remain the same, but if you felt that as a 140kg person it was ok() to travel in a standard Y seat then you could be sat next to someone who feels the same way as you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yes, we are getting a little off topic, but to bring it back, what do you think about the above idea?

Not good for centre of gravity etc.

VS.

It would be if everyone was grouped together, but you could have alternating 1,2 or 3 rows of each category and that would spread the load.

Alternatively, a complex computer algorithm could distribute groups of 2, 3 or 4 seats randomly according to weight category.

Either of these ways could ensure a decent spread of the load.

It would be if everyone was grouped together, but you could have alternating 1,2 or 3 rows of each category and that would spread the load.

Alternatively, a complex computer algorithm could distribute groups of 2, 3 or 4 seats randomly according to weight category.

Either of these ways could ensure a decent spread of the load.

Rather complicated though and would be thrown off by late comers/no shows at the gate/check-in.

It is possibly a good idea in principle but it would be difficult to pull off in reality - both in terms of organising it and having those of a larger figure sat next to each other when it is a pinch for those of average size.

Sorry if sound like I'm raining on your parade[:I][:w]

VS.

VS.

VS.

[Scrooge]

It's funny that I mentioned my friend, he told me last night he has been accepted on to The Biggest Loser

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Is it my fault than I wasn't born a 6ft blonde? No, and i have to live with my lot in life.

Thanks,
Sarah

Nope but it is your parents fault that you were born 5'4 with brown hair
and big....check bones [:0][:w]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by HighFlyer

Is it my fault than I wasn't born a 6ft blonde? No, and i have to live with my lot in life.

Thanks,
Sarah

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Nope but it is your parents fault that you were born 5'4 with brown hair
and big....check bones

For a second there I thought you were going to say big eyes;)[}:)][:w]

VS.

Originally posted by VS045


Sorry if sound like I'm raining on your parade[:I][:w]

Not at all VS. I welcome your input. I am just testing out the idea to see what people think.

I would say though that I can't see how no shows in my proposed system would be any different to no shows currently. CC sometimes move people around for take off at the moment anyway.

IIRC the centre of gravity on an A340 has to be within a 1.5m window so its quite a delicate balance that needs to be achieved I think. If you had no shows that would mess up the system and then you may have to move around quite a few people to restore it - missing people may have a knock-on effect on the positions of others.
Also, if people were organised by size, it would be difficult for friends, family to sit together.

VS.

[Decker]

Originally posted by VS045

Also, if people were organised by size, it would be difficult for friends, family to sit together.

VS.

Oooh a child only section?

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Decker

Originally posted by VS045

Also, if people were organised by size, it would be difficult for friends, family to sit together.

VS.

Oooh a child only section?

Now hang on a sec this idea just started sounding like a good one.

Originally posted by VS045
IIRC the centre of gravity on an A340 has to be within a 1.5m window so its quite a delicate balance that needs to be achieved I think. If you had no shows that would mess up the system and then you may have to move around quite a few people to restore it - missing people may have a knock-on effect on the positions of others.
Also, if people were organised by size, it would be difficult for friends, family to sit together.

VS.

It's interesting you should mention that. On my recent half empty flight from PVG to LHR, the cabin crew made the usual announcement that there were a lot of empty seats and we were free to move to more space, but only after takeoff as our seats were assigned according to the aircraft's trim.
Is this true? I was always under the impression that if we were safely strapped into our assigned seats we could be more reliably identified should the worst happen [?]

Sorry, two posts... but a different point.

What happens in the case where company policy is economy class travel only and they pay for the seat?

I can't imagine too many companies wanting to pay for two seats, so do they stop employing large people where travel is part of their job? And does this not then become discriminatory?

[Decker]

Employers already discriminate against the obese. I suspect it isn't illegal unless the obesity can be shown to be a disability rather than a lifestyle choice.

Originally posted by Decker
Employers already discriminate against the obese. I suspect it isn't illegal unless the obesity can be shown to be a disability rather than a lifestyle choice.

Interesting link.

But note I said "Large", not obese. I don't consider my long legs or broad shoulders to be either a life style choice or a disability, but by some measures I should book two seats becuase to be comfortable I tend to "spread" my legs into the legspace of the next seat and not fully lower the armrest.
I can't see my company paying out for two seats. They'll just sack me for not going where they need to send me and employ shorter people instead!

[Decker]

Sorry PVGSLF but neither of your stated reasons make any sense of not fully lowering the armrest. Unless you have a 6" torso. "But I need a Mercedes Estate as my company car - the Mondeo cramps me"

Originally posted by PVGSLF

Originally posted by VS045

Is this true?

Yep. For take off the flight crew undertake a calculation to set the aircraft trim correctly. This is a good proportion of the pre-flight paper work you will sometimes see being completed. While 1 person swapping a few rows would not make a significant difference, many people moving all over the place most certainly will.