Too fat to fly

[loobielousplaits]

Is anyone/has anyone watched this?

It's a documentary about massively obese people being interviewed about being taken off flights/too fat to flight.

While I absolutely agree it's a 'fat shaming' programme - I can't agree with some of the comments from the interviewees that have complained they had to leave the plane due to an armrest not being able to go down - a woman wasn't able to visit the toilet, another who couldn't understand why someone would be offended that half their seat was taken up by overspill - a 32 st man was offended that he was asked to leave the aircraft because he couldn't safely fit in the seat and should have paid for two - pilot decided he wasn't safe to fly.

I'm torn - I absolutely understand weight is a huge issue (I was anorexic in my teens) and it is not easy to control your weight but come on - seriously? You cannot expect to be OK to fly if your weight affects health and safety and you can't fit safely in a seat

Imagine how horrible it is for fat folk to actually sit on a plane seat? All crammed in like that? It’s making me feel stressed out just thinking about it!

However big you make the seats there will still be people too large for them

Yes, that's very true ...

Imagine how horrible it is for fat folk to actually sit on a plane seat? All crammed in like that? It’s making me feel stressed out just thinking about it!

I get that it's stressful for both sides, but this is a problem which can be sorted quite easily by buying 2 seats or paying for bigger one if there is an option🤷‍♀️

I don't know how clearer this point can be made.

Hi all,

We've had lots of reports about this thread and as you may have noticed, we've deleted a fair few posts which we felt were not in the spirit of the site.

We can also see that there's a good deal of sock puppeting going on - we're going to be getting in touch with a few people behind the scenes as it's really not okay.

Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines if anyone needs a quick reminder.

Many thanks.

There are so many airlines each with slightly different sized standards and some with different sized seat options within their range, that having a range of demo seats in high st travel agencies would be impossible! You’d need an aircraft hangar to accommodate them all confused

Or just one seat, adjustable for width.

What is sock puppeting?

People using multiple usernames to agree with themselves, rottnest

Will these be deleted too? Would be interesting to see what would be left on a thread🤔

The thread is relevant but sensitive to some.
If you can affordvtwo seats, great.
I would probably put up with getting squashed and complain to the airlines later, l'd hate to make someone feel shit over their size, considering the reasons for some obesity.

@InspectorClouseauMNdivision oh I totally agree with that! I’m simply voicing my discomfort at the thought of being squashed into a seat that was too small for me. They should definately be made to buy two seats, for everyone’s sake.

I would probably put up with getting squashed and complain to the airlines later, l'd hate to make someone feel shit over their size, considering the reasons for some obesity.

There would be no point in complaining later - there's nothing an airline would do about it after you've spent a really uncomfortable journey due to someone else. It really is quite easily avoided, people can book 2 seats. If they won't and they know they won't fit in an airline seat for any reason then it's selfish on their part expecting anyone else to be uncomfortable.

It will be a case of pay by weight in the furure so should solve the problem. The obesity problem is not going to get better for a long time, the airline will have no choice but to charge by weight.
I hope it doesn't take a disaster to change things.
ATM by filling every seat with one person, along with 20kg bag per person, they're taking risks by flying, not considering the entire weight on the plane.

Presume you haven't read the posts about people who have suffered life changing injuries and health problems as a result of being squashed by an obese passenger?
Yes I have read the posts, I didn't say it was ok to be squashed, I personally would suffer in silence, unless I felt crushed, especially in light of the reasons some posters are obese.

I doubt airline companies would do anything post the trip. You would have to register some kind of complaint whilst on the plane. It's a bit like telling a waiter that the meal you had just eaten was substandard but you had eaten every morsel.

I would find it embarrassing to ask to be moved because of somebody's weight but if it was really hindering my comfort, I would. I stand on my commute if I am being squashed but you can't do that on a plane. There are no positives for either party in this scenario. I doubt many people would findpleasure out of making somebody feel shit.

I suppose not many people are going to be decent enough to buy two seats unless they are forced to.

It's been said over and over again on this thread: why someone is overweight is of no consequence - that's a personal issue. But when it comes to an airline seat a person's size can impact on their neighbouring passenger and it has to be addressed.

A theme park will not allow passengers to ride who cannot fit in the seat. No arguments. (Except for upthread example of person's dsis riding without restraint - hope there were no loop-the-loops!)

Some advice I saw from Naafa, the California-based National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

now urges obese passengers to request an extra seat free of charge and, if that fails, adopt aggressive tactics. On its website, it advises overweight people to "preboard the plane with the rest of the passengers who need extra time in boarding". It adds: "When you get to your seat, raise the armrest. This may give you the inch or two of extra space you need. The chances are that the passenger who will be seated next to you won't say anything; if he does, smile pleasantly and say that you'll both be more comfortable if the armrest is up."

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crushed-by-obese-passenger-3s0x6cqgxrz

(I’d certainly say something, and use the valid excuse that I have a damaged arm and need to rest it somewhere, and not on another person)

I wonder who has been sock puppeting? What a waste of time.

Me too - how bizarre

Also while I feel I've finally 'landed' and have a bona fida Mumsnet person posting on my thread , I do feel quite hmmm that it's had numerous reports.

It genuinely wasn't a thread posted to 'fat shame' - I can't stand people who judge regarding weight - I've had it from the opposite end being slim. It was to discuss a programme I'd watched and was interested in hence starting the thread and the fact there's been so many reports has just reinforced my conclusion that it's never ok to discuss things re obesity.

Never heard that term before...am off to Google

, I do feel quite hmmm that it's had numerous reports.

Don't be silly.

You posted a "thoughts?" style thread about a goady fuckery Channel 5 crapumentary.

What else were you expecting?

*RubberTreePlant Sat 06-Apr-19 23:09:01
, I do feel quite hmmm that it's had numerous reports.

Don't be silly.

You posted a "thoughts?" style thread about a goady fuckery Channel 5 crapumentary.

What else were you expecting?*#

I was expecting a reasoned discussion about those who have their personal space invaded by obese people and what could be the answer to that.

Simply that - I now know that it's never ok to discuss obesity even though it's massively on the rise and contributes to numerous health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, putting huge pressure on the NHS.

We absolutely SHOULD be discussing obesity. However uncomfortable that may make 'fat' people feel!

Reasoned discussions don't start with Channel 5 shock-docs.

RubberTreePlant Sun 07-Apr-19 00:15:18
Reasoned discussions don't start with Channel 5 shock-docs.

Some 'shock docs' from channel 5 absolutely address what other programmes don't.

I've been criticised for starting this thread and accused of fat shaming - when in reality I loathe judgement of anyone regarding weight - that doesn't mean I can't empathise with people who have had their seats violated with an obese persons size.

We absolutely SHOULD be discussion the impact obese people have on us - we absolutely SHOULDN'T shame them - the fact is in my experience the overweight person doesn't give a damn about how they affect other people and that's wrong