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Original poster

Your Weight should be included in baggage allowance - Discuss!

125 replies

Milliways · 16/06/2005 16:20

I have heard it mentioned that the cost of air fairs has gone up due to the general overall increase in weight of passengers!

Now, I know that if you want to take an extra bag on board you pay a fortune for the additional fuel reqd etc, so do you think it fair that a skinny person gets the same baggage allowance as a larger one? Would you be prepared to get on the scales with your luggage if it meant the average sized people could carry more luggage?

I am NOT being Size-ist, just would like thoughts.

(I will not get into the argument of if you spill over one seat so someone cannot sit next to you, should you pay for 2)

OP posts:
Gwenick · 16/06/2005 16:22

This reply has been deleted

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almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:24

oh........no .id only be able to take my purse sob sob

WigWamBam · 16/06/2005 16:25

What a horrible suggestion. And for what it's worth, in my opinion you are being size-ist; I wouldn't have thought so if you hadn't added the bit about spilling over a second seat - that wasn't necessary.

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:26

sob sob

beansmum · 16/06/2005 16:27

stupid idea, I don't mind paying a tiny bit extra so that we don't have to go through the embarrassment of being weighed every time we want to leave the country.

JoolsToo · 16/06/2005 16:27

I try to pack as little as possible - the less luggage the better - and no I would not be prepared to stand on the scales anywhere but the privacy of my own home!

paolosgirl · 16/06/2005 16:28

No, I think it would be unfair (and I'm speaking as someone who's a size 8/10 and 7.5 stone through genes and nothing else)
What really gets my goat is being squashed in my seat my someone who is spilling over theirs - and still having to pay for the privilege of a horrendous resulting journey. Though I know you didn't want to get into that arguement...

assumedname · 16/06/2005 16:29

No.

But seat sizes and legroom spaces should be more generous.

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:30

so how much do you THINK we are allowed to weigh before we have to stay at home then!?

beansmum · 16/06/2005 16:32

I'm not really fat, but I would still HATE being weighed, especially by total strangers. It's a stupid stupid idea

making seats and leg room bigger is a good idea, but surely that would increase the airfare too?

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:33

could some one tell me what is a comfortable size to fit in an airline seat ? as a large persentage of uk is over a size 16 what size doesnt fit?? ie spills over another seat?

assumedname · 16/06/2005 16:35

Yes, it would increase the airfares, but it would be worth it not to have other people too close to you and less chance of DVT's for everyone.

Aren't airfares below their actual environmental cost anyway?

beansmum · 16/06/2005 16:35

nobody fits comfortably into an airline seat!
I'm a size 6-8 and still feel squashed

SoupDragon · 16/06/2005 16:35

If seat sizes and legroom spaces are more generous, air fares will be even higher.

It does make sense but it doesn't make it right so no. Why not charge more for a size 24 dress since it uses more fabric than a size 6?

fwiw, I don't think Milliways is being size-ist, it just sounds like she's musing in the wake of a news item.

misdee · 16/06/2005 16:35

skinny person can take more cvlothes generally that a larger on as their clothes are smaller.

what a horrible thread though. i'd only be allowed a handbag on

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:36

least you would get a handbag!! they would take the lose change out of my purse

WigWamBam · 16/06/2005 16:36

Don't let it rile you, AAA. It's not worth it - your value as a person is more than the number that you see in the back of your jeans.

For what it's worth, most of us larger people are very aware that we take up a lot of room, and I always make sure I squeeze myself along as well as I can to avoid spilling over. No-one has ever sat next to me and been uncomfortable, no matter how uncomfortable I have been in order to ensure that they are. Surely the fault is with the size of the seats, not the size of the bum?

misdee · 16/06/2005 16:37

u can put the loose change in my bag

Original poster
Milliways · 16/06/2005 16:37

I don't want to upset anyone - I'm not exactly a stick insect myself.

I got into this conversation at work today and thought - here's one for Mumsnet

The discussion was about using weight bands, quite some margin in each. It was that some people get upset if their case is 2 pounds over the limit when they are 2 stone lighter than another passenger. I can see their point but could not see how it could be worked fairly.

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 16/06/2005 16:37

And you're right, misdee, this is a horrible thread.

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:37

ok am paranoid now am flying in 9 ish weeks shall i take vasaline?

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:38

lol misdee!

WigWamBam · 16/06/2005 16:38

Nah, AAA, have some of my elastic and strap yourself to the wing. That should keep 'em happy.

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:38

no cos the vasiline would weigh an oz or so oh dear

almostanangel · 16/06/2005 16:39

whos going on the other wing to balance it then!