Weighting for the backlash

[quisensoucie]

Weighing aeroplane passengers is not a new phenomenon, so the 'fat-shaming' trope is rather misplaced
'In the early days of air travel, Airlines frequently weighed passengers and even crew to properly balance the smaller, less sophisticated aircraft, according to the Smithsonian.

Passenger weight can have an impact on another aspect of flying: seat size.'
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/then-amp-now-a-weighty-matter-46320857/&ved=2ahUKEwi8--2O452EAxU2a0EAHa-9B8sQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw36nIvu41LW3mTW1jC32O9v

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/airlines-weigh-passengers-check-in-baggage-cargo-balance-a8860071.html

This is a safety issue, not about making larger people pay more. But again, the science and physics are dismissed because 'feelings'

‘but this isn’t a post about luggage allowances,’

and yet over and over posters are saying ‘well if luggage has to be weighed then why not…’

despite the fact there’s no way for airlines to routinely do that that would make any sense to them.

and if it’s comfort we’re talking about I’ll choose to sit next to two women all day long over any man.

@notimagain you seem to know about planes- my aunt who was a stewardess for many many years with BA talked about a bunk room on the the aircraft for the crew on long haul where you could have a scheduled nap - is that still a thing on any aircraft?

Hi,

Yes, these days most Long Haul aircraft types have some crew bunk facilities tucked away some where...

It's not just a "nice to have", you actually need the rest facilities to extend the duty day out long enough in order to legally perform some long haul sectors.

it would be great for the environment

Loads of people wouldn’t want to be weighed
Loads of people would not want to pay / afford to pay any additional costs as a result of their weight

So they would avoid air travel whether for embarrassment reasons and / or financial!

That’s got to be a joke? Stop fat people flying in the name of climate change?

could just put the cost of flying up by adding climate taxes, then you’d lose all the poorer people too. Result!

just a positive side benefit IMO!

but “poor people” (unless also very overweight) don’t make flights uncomfortable for those seated next to them (presuming not travelling with them!)

That’s not what the poster said, the poster said CLIMATE.

still, what else could we blame on overweight people while we’re here? Lack of housing? Cost of living? War in the Middle East?

are you one for hyperbole in RL too? 😂

Yes, hatred of the obese really is the final socially acceptable prejudice, isn’t it? Substitute any protected characteristic for overweight/obese in the last few posts and you would all be blocked and shouted down.

The thinking seems to be that it’s acceptable to be as rude as possible because it’s “self-inflicted”. Is it, though? It’s a complex issue and there are many reasons for obesity but in the end our hormones drive us all to need nutrients and eat and being driven by that in an environment full of unhealthy food choices should not be seen as a reflection on one’s character.

Of course people don’t want to be weighed. You can take a few items out of excess baggage but shedding human flesh takes a lot more effort and can be impossible at a certain stage. It certainly doesn’t happen in an instant!

I wonder if all the haters are even the “correct” weight themselves or just think they are, seeing as half the population is obese these days? Must be wonderful to think yourself such an ubermensch. When are you setting up the concentration camps?