Disabled, obese allowed free extra plane seat

The Province ^ | November 20, 2008 | Canwest News Service 2008

[Bushwacker777]

"Canada's two largest airlines must give disabled and morbidly obese passengers an extra free seat on domestic flights, beginning in January, after the Supreme Court refused yesterday to consider the carriers' appeal of a federal order."

[Bushwacker777]

Well, isn't that just swell? First, obesity is far more dangerous to health than smoking -- yet smoking is becoming a huge taboo in modern society (I am not opposed to that though). Second, if fat people are getting a free seat then that means the overall ticket prices for normal people will go up. Why should healthy people flying in Canada have to subsidize fat people?

[napscoordinator]

I don’t necessarily agree with this either, but the alternative does give me cause for concern. The last thing I want is for this body of lard to have the seat next to me when he bought a single seat.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I’m somewhat disabled, 6 feet tall and weigh 360lbs, and I don’t agree with this in the slightest.

[Jeff Chandler]

Blame Canada.

[sig226]

They can charge extra for the in flight meals? :)

[Lorianne]

True, but then you’re buying that extra seat through higher ticket prices for everyone.

If you’re paying for an extra seat, or let’s say 1/20 of an extra seat, you should get more room!

I have the same problem when I travel. Tall people tend tend to take MY LEG SPACE which I PAID FOR. Men especially take over MY LEG SPACE and they act like they are entitled to it.

It irks me no end. I know the seats and legroom are small, but I don’t know why I can’t have a full seat with the full leg room I paid for. Or else I should get a discount for the loss of my leg space. I’ve seriously thought of complaining to the airlines and asking for a partial refund when I have to endure a 5 or 9 hour flight with someone else’s legs in my leg space the whole way.

Same deal with large people who take over MY SHOULDER SPACE that I PAID FOR. I can’t tell you how often I’ve gotten 3/4 of a seat ... or less. One a very large NFL player was next to me and I had only 1/2 a seat and my legs were pushed over to one side for the whole flight! I know he could afford to pay for an extra seat.

Can you tell this is an issue for me? :)

[max americana]

So Rosie O Donnell gets a free flight to Canada permanently? Outstanding.

[Chet 99]

[Chet 99]

[DB]

Their health care system does the same thing. Why should fly, driving or anything else be different? It's Canada...

[ICE-FLYER]

Will the last Free Canadian please turn the lights off as you leave Canada when you come for medical care that works in the US?

[informavoracious]

"obesity is far more dangerous...than smoking"

Maybe, but have you ever heard of anyone getting diabetes from second-hand fat?

[ari-freedom]

now everyone will hate overweight people

[Recovering_Democrat]

Retarded judges exist in Canada, too, eh?

[raybbr]

What about emergencies? Do you want some "morbidly obese" sitting between you and the aisle? How about sliding down the evacuation chute?

There should be a size restriction.

[SkyPilot]

This is a shame, because it is further evidence of people not taking responsibility for themselves, and expecting everyone else to pick up their slack.

Also, before the "I can't help it" posts begin from some people, let's get this out there:

Obesity is not caused by slow metabolism

It is caused by over eating and inactivity.

[ProfoundMan]

Does anyone know how “obese” is defined by this ruling? If it is defined as say over 300 lbs, well, my wife and I together are over 300 lbs so do we get to fly together for the price of one? We’re only taking up 2 seats too...

[seemoAR]

According to KSLA News 12 in Shreveport,LA, their mayor, Cedric Glover, has charged $29,524.00 to his city credit card for travel expenses. He flies coach and is required to purchase 2 tickets since he weighs more than 350 lbs. ;o)

[Marylander]

First, obesity is far more dangerous to health than smoking -- yet smoking is becoming a huge taboo in modern society ...

I would direct my wrath not against obesity, but against a government that takes from normal-sized passengers to give to obese. There are lots of extra costs associated with handicaps and obesity. It's outrageous that the court should decide that the particular cost of the extra airline seat should be paid by other passengers.

Perhaps they will next rule that fat people should get free supersizing for their clothes.

[pa_dweller]

I think it would help a lot if every component of the cost of a ticket were broken out and named on an invoice. That way one could see the myriad fees, taxes, charges, costs, etc. If people could see how much add-on stuff there is there’d be a lot more outrage (and it would be directed at the right targets). Same with gas prices. Same with income taxes - if you had to write a check to Uncle every month for ‘your share’ there’d be a lot of blistered feet in D.C.