...to ask how you decide if someone is 'fat' ?

[MaisyMooCow]

Here

So the 'fat' passenger paying more argument continues.

My question is, how do you decide when someone qualifies for the 'fat seats'. What happens if you book a normal seat, get to check-in and they say 'Sorry madam but you're fat' . Are you expected to get on their scales for a weigh in?!!

Yep kumquat and it's exactly the same as all other prejudices. It's based on people being unwilling to put themselves in someone else's shoes and just judge from afar, based on appearances.

"Fattism is one of the few remaining socially acceptable prejudices."

I was just saying this the other day, kumquat. In place of all the racist/disablist/sexist jokes that were more acceptable decades ago are fat jokes. Loads of them. Start counting the next time you listen to any stand-up comedy.

what about blond jokes, regional jokes, religious jokes - they are far more popular than fat jokes!
This thread isn't about having a go at fat people. It is a discussion wondering how the transport problem is solved. Some people are arguing that it isn't so bad, others are giving personal experience of 13 hours of discomfort because of someone else's problem. I don't think it has been unreasonable or fattist. You have to talk about these things, to get a resolution - don't you?

I've several times had awful flights because of the size of the passenger next to me, some because of weight and some becasue of huge long legs and arms. Frankly I have no interest in why they are fat or that itis not their fault they are long limbed or fat, I don't see why I should be squished.

I will resent you if you encroach on my paid for space. If you preceive that as 'fattist' get over it, I really don't care, especially not after a 7 hour flight.

PERceive. Grr.

" In place of all the racist/disablist/sexist jokes that were more acceptable decades ago are fat jokes. Loads of them. Start counting the next time you listen to any stand-up comedy."

Unfortunately, that is because most people believe that this is because it is something that can be changed. You can't change where you were born, your sex or whether you are disabled or not.

I'll take fat over stinky any day. I sat next to a lady on a long haul who did spill under the arm rest a bit but she smelled lovely (and was actually quite comfy!) and it was a far nicer experience than coming back from Dublin next to a woman who reeked of booze and sweat :( AND that was Aer Lingus fancy dan little business class bit in front of the blue curtain!

Nonsense salamanda no one is judging from afar. They are complaining about being crowded out by a fat person on a plane. Many fat people seem very willing to put themselves into other people's seats, never mind other people's shoes.

I think what will be interesting is how the airlines will resolve this. Clearly from reading this thread the majority are in agreement that it needs to be addressed. What happens however if they put something in place where larger people have to pay more but some refuse? What happens when they try to board the plane especially if there are no spare seats ? Will they get offloaded or get an 'on the spot' charge?

True. What will happen if a person is deemed as needing two seats but the flight is full?

OhMissJones that is vile - I once had a man in front of me take his shoes off and oh dear lord the stench - the attendant asked him to put them back on and he was not best pleased. That was on a SAS business class flight, back before I worked for cheapskates...

Sorry, its not being "fattist" to object to being squished for 9 hours. I don't care what "ist" you are, I think it is my Yooman Right to be able to sit on my bluddy seat.

If a definition of "fat" is spilling into the next seat ......does that apply to the exceptionally tall or the pregnant?

MaisyMooCow "What happens when they try to board the plane especially if there are no spare seats?"

The fat-power people will probably arrange mass bookings of specific flights and riot to get unto the plane.

Then they can all have the joy of sitting with each other.

Yes, why don't we make them all sit together, like we used to do with smokers? The fat section.

troisgarcons quite possibly yes! Perhaps it should be reworded that passengers who do not meet the required 'standard' size should pay extra.

Define therefore the standard size, that's where it gets messy.

I am not confortable with the idea of making larger people paying, somehow it doesn't sit (no pun intended ) well with me, despite having endured a rather uncomfortable flight (as I said earlier on).

It is however something that airlines should keep into consideration. Flying economy class has become a not so pleasant experience imho.

Pregnant women can't fly past 32 weeks, therefore not too huge.

I totally agree that it is a problem if someone is taking up a seat you have paid for and making you uncomfortable - and I realise that is what most people on this thread are talking about, and a solution needs to be found, esp for long-haul flights. But that solution needs to be arrived at while taking people's feelings into account. It's the disgust and vitriol and almost glee that people seem to feel when talking about a problem that is being caused by a fat person - that's what I object to.

I think there's a way to discuss this without calling people 'fatty' and putting them in 'fat cages' or a 'fat section' of the plane. But clearly the majority here don't want to do that, so I'll leave you to it.

I think the airlines should just make bigger seats, I'm skinny and there's just enough space for me (not that I fly very often).

When I worked as a member of cabin crew back in the early ninetees, we were threatened with being grounded if we didn't lose weight. They said it was because it made it difficult for others to pass us as we worked in the aisles!!!

Yes, why don't we make them all sit together, like we used to do with smokers? The fat section

I think that's the only way forward really.

A section of seating on the plane where the seats are wider. If you require one then you'll no doubt have to pay extra, just as you would if you required extra leg room.

I don't see what's wrong with that?

Should we have "fat" seats on buses ?

or "sprawl" seats for men on trains who persist in sitting with their bollocks dangling to allow them to read a newspaper?

There are three of us so we get round the problem of sitting next a stranger by all sitting together - most planes have seats in threes anyway.

I would definitely back the 'sprawl' seat suggestion!