United to Charge Double

[kryos]

I've seen that to be the maximum limit per passenger ... anyone appearing to lie about their weight was made to verify poundage by hopping on a floor scale, you know, the kind they use for cargo. In the case of a small helicopter, I would think it has to do with lift and safety of everyone onboard. I'm not so sure about the paying double part ... perhaps denied boarding totally and completely.

I don't think the issue though is weight at all, but rather size in this case. You can have a very tall person who weighs 270 pounds, but is thin and lanky and fits fine in the coach seat and doesn't even need a seatbelt extender at all. He might have a problem pulling in his knees, but as long as he can do that, he's fine.

 

Then you could have the passenger in the next seat who only weighs maybe 240 pounds, but is short and more rotund. That is the passenger who will likely have a problem keeping their bulk confined to their own seat and may actually need to buy a second seat while the technically heavier passenger can get away with only one.

 

With the helicopter flights, it's not a matter of fitting in the seat. There's plenty of space allocated to each passenger and even someone of bulk could fit fine. The problem with the smaller aircraft and the helicopters is strictly one of weight. They can only carry so much weight safely and if one passenger is over 250 pounds, that means the tour company may have to assign one less passenger to that helicopter. They need to get the weights of all the passengers so that they can plug them into their computer program back at the office and determine where everyone sits based on their weight. If the "fluffy" makes the total weight go over what the helicopter can safely carry, that means a passenger has to be reassigned to another chopper, or perhaps someone has to be turned away that day. That costs the company money and that's why the passenger over 250 pounds has to pay a 50% surcharge to take the tour.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

I remember seeing some helicopter excursions on cruises where people weighing over 250 pounds had to pay double.

I was on a helicopter excursion with a "passenger of size" this past October and she paid 150%. She had no problem with it, and in fact was actually scheduled for helicopter flightseeing in several of the ports (she was from the NCL ship traveling through the Hawaiian islands).

 

I remember thinking ... wow! She must be loaded ... because I know I paid around $500 bucks for this Kona flightseeing extravaganza (a one hour and 45 minute flight that actually covered the whole Big Island), and if she's paying 150% ... wow!

 

She wasn't on the same helicopter with me, but I did notice that when she climbed onboard her chopper, she had the whole front seat next to the pilot. On our helicopter, a couple both sat up there with him.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

OK I will agree with you that my disagreement is emotional.....I can feel her emotions to the core because I am the fat lady taking up his seat.....I do everything I can to avoid those type of situations and not "bother" others with my big tail "touching" them....Until just recently I avoided leaving home because of situations just like that and I have worked very hard to overcome that fear of being completely and totally embarrassed because some skinny person didnt want to "touch me"....

My friend ... there is no reason whatsoever to feel embarrassed by your size. I honestly don't think that's the point of this rule at all. It's just a matter of ensuring that everyone gets the room they are paying for, and there are easy ways around it. Just have your travel agent contact the airline ahead of time and let them know of your situation. I am sure there are ways that you could buy a second seat cheaply or maybe get a reasonably priced upgrade to business class due to your physical needs.

 

No one here is saying that "passengers of size" should be made to feel inferior or embarrassed. We all have physical limitations or challenges of some sort, and when we do, we simply work around them. The airline will have no problem helping you with your concerns and won't charge you an arm and a leg if they know that you have physical needs that require you to have more room on the aircraft.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

However, I don't expect the airlines would allow either an extra luggage allowance or double air miles in such a case. That would eat into their revenue.

The airline is already getting the extra revenue by making the "passenger of size" pay for the second seat. So how could they possibly lose revenue by allowing that passenger to have double the check-in baggage, double the carry-on baggage allowance, etc.? They already got that revenue upfront in the second ticket purchase.

 

Now, of course, if the airline gives that passenger some sort of a special break on the second ticket, due to his size requirements, that would be a different story. If that passenger received the second ticket for a discounted price, I could understand that the second ticket would only provide him with a second seat, and maybe not the full benefits of that second seat, such as the added luggage allowance.

 

But if he's paying full fare for that second seat, then he should be entitled to all that comes along with it ... up to and including a second glass of soda if the airline on which he is traveling still provides a free glass of soda. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Abbyroo]

If having the back of your seat kicked repeatedly while mommy and daddy are busy chatting and totally oblivious to their little darlings behavior would be desirable. I've experienced that more than a few times. I avoid little ones behind me whenever I can.

 

Sad that the obese folks don't lose the weight for their health and then this wouldn't be an issue for anyone.

[fourcruisin]

One of these days I'm going to book as *my name* in the first seat and *fat a$$* in the second seat just to see what they'd do. Actually, one of these days airfare will go down low enough that I'll buy the whole dang row!

 

DH and I purchase a 3rd seat so we have one between us. We are both large and it just gives us more comfort and relieves the stress of worrying if someone will tell us we must buy one at the gate. We have room to spread out and put our reading material on the seat between us. We figure it is the cost of our size and traveling. No big deal for us.

 

I loved your comment though....it really made me chuckle about using "fat a$$" instead of "extra seat".

 

I don't see what all the fuss is. To me, I'm more comfortable not having a stranger sitting beside us thinking......"OMG, get me out of here". Personally, planes are built for people that are short and small. I love the previous posters that say they are 6'4 and 240 lbs and fit fine. They may think they fit fine in the seat but I bet the person beside them begs to differ.

 

Different strokes for folks.

[banditcat]

I realize this discussion brings out strong emotions on either side of the issue at least the airlines are posting their policies for all passengers to read. However the airlines should attempt to standardize the seats in all their planes so that the passengers who easily fit in one plane cannot in another. Recently I was on a flight where one plane, (MD80) seats were much larger in economy and the seatbelts were adequate for the plus size passenger however in the 757 passengers who were ok on the MD80 had to get a belt extender. This inconsistency is difficult for these passengers. I find and have for years found that when stuck in the middle seat it doesn't have to be large people invading my space but people of average size and built. Many times middle seat passengers don't get an arm rest to use since the passengers on either side will take them. Yes yes you can be aggressive and say things to these passengers to move it but common courtesy should be the rule of the day.

[Catnip]

DH and I purchase a 3rd seat so we have one between us. We have room to spread out and put our reading material on the seat between us.

 

 

If you don't mind my asking, can you tell me how you did this? I would like to buy the middle seat on long flights, too. Was this on a particular airline? Did you have to give a ficticious name to get the 3rd seat? Did you have a boarding pass for the 3rd seat?

Any help you can give me will be appreciated. :)

[fourcruisin]

If you don't mind my asking, can you tell me how you did this? I would like to buy the middle seat on long flights, too. Was this on a particular airline? Did you have to give a ficticious name to get the 3rd seat? Did you have a boarding pass for the 3rd seat?

Any help you can give me will be appreciated. :)

 

Last year, we flew Delta. When I booked online, I picked a 3 seat row that was empty. I put my name in the first seat, "Extraseat Lastname" in the middle seat and then my Dh's name for the 3rd seat. I did get 3 boarding passes at curbside check in and made sure I immediately told the sky cap that we had purchased 3 seats. No problem at all.

 

I did worry since it was a full flight at check in that they would try to take away our middle seat....no way in heck we would have allowed it. We paid for it to be empty.

 

Each airline has answers to this on their websites. Here is the one for Jet Blue because I think we will fly to Lauderdale on Jet Blue for our next cruise. Love Jet Blue!

 

http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll?New,Kb=askBlue,case=obj(382583)#s5

 

*Edited to add.........I would not use a fictious name. You need to prove id at security and airline check in. Just use the Extra Seat Lastname for the 3rd (or 2nd) seat.

[djmutters]

I am one of those POS so kindly discussed on this thread and many others. I am extremely self conscious about my size and am almost homebound because I can almost hear your thoughts in my head...OMG is she going to sit by me? WHAT A COW!!!! Ashamed and fearful of comments, mistreatment etc, I almost never left home...until my friend talked me into trying cruising and I was hooked!!!

Being overweight is obviously not something I picked for myself. I would never have said, "Hey Lord....can you make my behind the size of a VW??" But I have FINALLY learned to deal with it and with therapy have gotten out of my house and started to explore this beautiful world that the good Lord blessed us with....Losing weight is high up on my list and something I am working on not because of your comments or actions but because I want to live and enjoy life and not watch it pass me by in my dreams....

I finally got up the nerve to fly last year and took an easy flight to Miami and back and then another to Orlando and back....Both flights were good experiences and I was relieved that they proved positive....BUT now that I am booked to fly again to Miami to cruise in June I am ready to freak because of this thread and the annoucement of United Airlines....

I travel with my daughter and friend and we always carefully pick seats together. I sit in the middle of them and we are "CLOSE" but it works...I can put on the seat belt with one extension and I suppose if I had to I could lower the arms but it would not be fun....

As self conscious as I am about my size if I get on that plane and the attendant comes up and says....sorry, you need to buy another seat and the plane is packed with people....don't you think I will be mortified....I already hear in my head....OMG look at that cow....I can not imagine what my thoughts would be....I suppose I would just go back to the car and go home rather than go through the embarrassment of being escorted off the plane in front of all to buy a second seat.....

So at this point....I have booked and paid for a seat with my daughter and friend....we love each other and don't mind the closeness....do I call and offer them more money to avoid the embarrassment??? Do I pray that the airlines don't embarrass me??? Do I take several Xanax and not give a damn about what all those persons NOT of size think??

All I ask is don't make me feel any worse about myself than I already do....I just got out of my house and kind of enjoy this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, if it bothers you to be near a "POS"...just do like the Carnival Employees and smile at me anyway....I kick myself enough about how I look....NO HELP NEEDED!!!!

 

mama4katie,

 

I'm glad you have been able to get out and see the world and remember to turn every negative into a postive :)

 

Nigel x

[islandersx4]

Wow, lots of opinions....I agree it is a simple concept...if you use the space, pay for the space, be it lugguage or fluff.

Currently 60% of Americans are overweight. It is an epidemic refered to all the time. Fast food, frozen foods, packaged meals, snacks, convenience and lack of physical exercise have and continue to contribute.

 

Many are predisposed to weight gain. I have nine siblings, same parents and 8 are overweight, some bordering on morbid obesity. I am one of the 2 that watch my BMI closely and am slight. It is not easy for a smoker to quit smoking or an alcoholic to stop drinking or an overweight person to change their eating habits but, it can be done. Just watch the "Biggest Loser".

Overweight individuals have a right to be any size they want. Just don't impose on me and make sure you have good medical coverage so my taxes don't pay for your choices. I respect ones right to smoke, just not in my air space. Again, make sure you have good medical coverage, so that my taxes are not paying for your choice. You want to drink, just don't dare to drink and drive and put others at risk. You want to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, fine but make sure you are adequatly insured so your stay in the nursing is covered by your insurance and not with my taxses.

The ongoing theme here, you have choices, do what you want, take responsibility for your choices and YOU PAY THE PRICE.

[cruzegirl]

I have mixed feelings regarding this. If you are too heavy to fit into one seat, why shouldn't you have to pay for the second seat? It is not the airlines fault, and they are in the business of selling seats. I've seen obese people trying to squeeze into one seat and it is ridiculous. Forget the fact that you are inconviencing the person next to you because your body extends into their space. I guess I agree with the airlines. If your body is too big for one seat, then buy 2. I'm not a light weight either. I am 260 pounds but have always been able to fit into my seat without infringing on other people comfort space. I would also say that if their are extra seats, they should not charge you. But if the flight is full, then you have to pay the extra charge. Or maybe even think about buying a first class ticket, the seats are wider.

 

You said very well here how I feel also.

In one way it seems insulting to the overweight person. But, I've been there. Where the obese person is hanging over into my space. They can't fasten the seat belt well and are overall infringing on my space. It makes for a very uncomfortable flight. Some could argue the seats should be wider as they are so small to begin with. But the airlines are about revenue. If they make bigger seats, there are less seats to sell. If they can't fit in the seat, they should have to buy 2 seats. It's not fair to the rest of us.

[cruzegirl]

Wow, lots of opinions....I agree it is a simple concept...if you use the space, pay for the space, be it lugguage or fluff.

Currently 60% of Americans are overweight. It is an epidemic refered to all the time. Fast food, frozen foods, packaged meals, snacks, convenience and lack of physical exercise have and continue to contribute.

 

Many are predisposed to weight gain. I have nine siblings, same parents and 8 are overweight, some bordering on morbid obesity. I am one of the 2 that watch my BMI closely and am slight. It is not easy for a smoker to quit smoking or an alcoholic to stop drinking or an overweight person to change their eating habits but, it can be done. Just watch the "Biggest Loser".

Overweight individuals have a right to be any size they want. Just don't impose on me and make sure you have good medical coverage so my taxes don't pay for your choices. I respect ones right to smoke, just not in my air space. Again, make sure you have good medical coverage, so that my taxes are not paying for your choice. You want to drink, just don't dare to drink and drive and put others at risk. You want to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, fine but make sure you are adequatly insured so your stay in the nursing is covered by your insurance and not with my taxses.

The ongoing theme here, you have choices, do what you want, take responsibility for your choices and YOU PAY THE PRICE.

 

 

I totally agree. There is such a lack of responsibility in this country. From adults to kids that do things and want to blame others. It's an epidemic as well.

One other thing that is my opinion and I hope will one day become law. No one should drink alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a car or on a motorcycle, no matter how much you drink. It should be illegal. And if someone is killed by a driver with any amount of alcohol in their system, and they were the driver, they get the death penalty. My opinion but something has to stop this other epidemic.

[Catnip]

Last year, we flew Delta. When I booked online, I picked a 3 seat row that was empty. I put my name in the first seat, "Extraseat Lastname" in the middle seat and then my Dh's name for the 3rd seat. I did get 3 boarding passes at curbside check in and made sure I immediately told the sky cap that we had purchased 3 seats. No problem at all.

 

 

 

Thanks! Now, let me see if I got this right.........(say for example that your name is Nancy Smith and your DH is David Smith)

 

You buy the aisle seat for Nancy Smith

You buy the middle seat for ExtraSeat Smith (is this how to word it?)

You buy the window seat for David Smith

 

 

I assume when you check in at a kiosk, you get all 3 boarding passes?

If you check in at the counter, does the person give you a hassle about having a ticket & seat for a non-person?

 

Sorry for all the questions, but on my next long flight, I want to do this! :)

[fourcruisin]

Thanks! Now, let me see if I got this right.........(say for example that your name is Nancy Smith and your DH is David Smith)

 

You buy the aisle seat for Nancy Smith

You buy the middle seat for ExtraSeat Smith (is this how to word it?)

You buy the window seat for David Smith

 

 

I assume when you check in at a kiosk, you get all 3 boarding passes?

If you check in at the counter, does the person give you a hassle about having a ticket & seat for a non-person?

 

Sorry for all the questions, but on my next long flight, I want to do this! :)

 

No problem, glad to help out.

 

Yes, that is how I word the online purchase. I usually check in at curbside and I have already printed out my paperwork to show the sky cap/agent. I have never had a problem checking in. I just tell them right away that we have 2 people and 1 extra seat. Never had an issue. It is so much more comfortable. I hate sitting beside someone and not just because I am large. I don't want someone bugging me by eating smelly food beside me or bouncing around, or constantly getting up to go to the bathroom etc.

 

I am not a very relaxed traveler anyway so anything I can do to make my trip easier, is worth the extra $$

[Catnip]

I usually check in at curbside and I have already printed out my paperwork to show the sky cap/agent. I have never had a problem checking in. I just tell them right away that we have 2 people and 1 extra seat.

 

I am not a very relaxed traveler anyway so anything I can do to make my trip easier, is worth the extra $$

 

I hear ya! :)

 

Just curious, but when you are checking in curbside, why do you tell the skycap that you have an extra seat? Do they ask?

WHen you get to your departure gate, do you check in with the gate agent?

 

I wonder if it is an oversold flight (as many are these days), would they see an empty seat and try to put someone in it? I would be so scared they would! :eek:

Thanks for your help! :)

[fourcruisin]

I hear ya! :)

 

Just curious, but when you are checking in curbside, why do you tell the skycap that you have an extra seat? Do they ask?

WHen you get to your departure gate, do you check in with the gate agent?

 

I wonder if it is an oversold flight (as many are these days), would they see an empty seat and try to put someone in it? I would be so scared they would! :eek:

Thanks for your help! :)

 

I mention it to the skycap so if there are any problems, we can address it right away.

I don't usually check in with the gate agent but upon boarding, I tell the agent at the gangway we have an extra seat assigned to us so we don't have the "Southwest Air" problem of being told we need to purchase one. lol

 

I would be very embarrassed if I was pulled out of line and told "hey lady, you are too fat to fit in the seat, buy another ticket or else."

 

I would just tell the flight attendant that we paid for the extra seat and are not willing to give it up if anyone tries to sit in the seat. Have not had any problems so far.

 

I still love the idea of buying the extra seat under the name of "fat a$$" Lastname. lol lol. I think it's great.

[tada]

Obesity is a disability? Huh? Only if it is caused by a medical problem, not from overeating.

 

I have flown a 10 hour trans-Atlantic flight with a person of size where a seat belt extender was required and the armrest could not be lowered. I was forced to lean into the aisle the whole way. My back hurt for days because of this. I think United and Southwest are right to do this. If I am paying good money for a flight, I should be guaranteed my whole seat.

 

And I do not like the practice of people reclining their seats in coach. The space is small enough. And I do not recline my seat. I really think coach seats should not recline at all. Just my opinion.

[Catnip]

 

And I do not like the practice of people reclining their seats in coach. The space is small enough. And I do not recline my seat. I really think coach seats should not recline at all. Just my opinion.

 

I have to agree.

[FSUNole]

I know this is not an appropriate example, however, if you go to a steak restaurant and it takes two steaks for you to get your fill, you must PAY for two steaks.

 

If you take up more than one seat, you should have to PAY for more than one seat.

 

And, if I pay for a whole seat, WHY should I have to put up with someone who eats two steaks taking up part of the seat that I PAID for?

[Toto2Kansas]

If you take up more than one seat, why should you not have to pay for an extra seat?

 

On most airlines, if I want extra space, I can book two seats for myself. If I need extra space, that is even more reason why I should have to pay for the extra seat.

 

There is no reason why a person seated next to an overweight passenger should have to suffer with less room than they paid for, nor should an airline have to give up revenue by leaving a seat (partially) empty and unpaid for.

 

IMO, to suggest otherwise is narcissistic and shortsighted. With all due respect, if you are a large person that only wants to pay for one seat, fly first class or lose the weight. My comments are not meant to be insensitive, but there is no reason the cost of one's need for two seats should be absorbed by others.

 

I have to totally agree here. I have had to share a seat on several flights because the person next to me could not fit into their seat without taking part of mine also. One was a TransPacific flight, and it was miserable. The gentleman's behind and belly could not fit into his seat, and the plane was packed, no other seats available. Hours upon hours of having this stranger's 'extra' weight on 1/3 of my seat made it the worst flight I have ever been on in my life.

I am paying for a seat on that flight, just as he was, and it was not fair that I was not given the space I paid for while he was taking up his and a third of mine. :(

[mama4katie]

mama4katie,

 

I'm glad you have been able to get out and see the world and remember to turn every negative into a postive :)

 

Nigel x

 

 

 

Thank you Nigel!!! I do try....and have seen some wonderful things so far!

 

I just have to say this for some of the worried writers on here: I have excellent medical and life insurance....I pay my bills, work full time and have full retirement from my first job....I am a widow and have raised a child alone without the help of anyone but my WIDE TAIL....so my size is all on my pocketbook....NO ONE else is having to pick up my tab!! Despite the "costs of obesity" I have been able to afford now 6 cruises in the last year and a half. So don't worry about paying for me!!!

 

I assure you if I could blink an eye and be a size 2.....POOF I'd be strutting my stuff....I am working on losing weight that I gained NOT because I have an illness but because I over eat...AND I am not making an excuse for being fat....

 

Ive not asked anyone for anything on here other than to not judge me or my fat friends so harshly and just be a tad more sensitive to others feelings....believe me....more than likely the fat lady sitting next to others is praying for the trip to be over just as much as you are....she knows youre not happy and she would do anything to "fix it"...........I will always gladly pay extra IF I need to but so far I can still "fit into the regulations" given....not as comfortably but I fit...and I take my own seat mates so you won't be slammed up next to me....my seat mates don't mind touching me....they even hold my hand cause I am petrified about flying....

 

Im a dang good person despite my size and I hate it for anyone if it bothers you I am large....now move over, I have a world to see!!!

 

 

Gods Many Blessing to you all!!

Kim

[endosunshine]

I am sure you are a kind and gentle person on the inside. What is inside of us is the important thing. While I am a slim person, I have certainly known thin, beautiful people who were hideous on the inside. Be proud that you are a good person and worry less about your size.

 

I am sensitive to both sides of the issue (I don't want to be crowded either :) ) but rather than being rude, people should at least attempt a kind request of a different seat, etc. After all, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

[mama4katie]

I am sure you are a kind and gentle person on the inside. What is inside of us is the important thing. While I am a slim person, I have certainly known thin, beautiful people who were hideous on the inside. Be proud that you are a good person and worry less about your size.

 

I am sensitive to both sides of the issue (I don't want to be crowded either :) ) but rather than being rude, people should at least attempt a kind request of a different seat, etc. After all, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

 

 

Spoken like a true southerner!!! Thank you ;)

[Happy2Cruise4Fun]

I should not be forced to be packed in like a sardine in my seat, not like we are not already. If you are going to spill over into my seat you should be required to purchase two.

 

Call it unfair, call it heartless (wife says I am anyway) but that is how I feel. Maybe they can come up with some special seats that are 1.5's or something. Then the argument will be why are they in the back, middle or front of the plane.