This makes sense to me, how about you?

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amsterdam

Absolutely, no question, they should pay. To the 220lb answerer who enquired about taking a dump - where does he think it goes ? It does not fall out of the sky, man, it stays on the aircraft.

I struggle with my weight, the only reason I'm not overweight is that I exercise regularly and walk a lot. I don't always feel like doing it, would sometimes rather stay in the warm and eat chocolate. It would be so easy to abandon self respect and become another blob, so while I'm sympathetic to obese people, I know how hard it is, I don't see why I should subsidise your lack of will power.

Mr Sceptic

I'll accept that the reason I weigh 220lb is because I eat too many pies. But I didn't ask to be 6 ft 3 inches tall.

And because I'm bigger, my clothes are heavier that those belonging to shortarses.

Would you offer a slight refund if anyone takes a dump during the flight, thus reducing their weight?

brandy

Absolutely agree. I never think it is fair to see heavy people with the same luggage weight allowance as small slim people. It really shows what a money making exercise this is as the plane's loading is based on total weight.

montralia

Wow! I can hear the critics if an airline company tried doing this ! I don't think it would be fair though! Heavy people need to travel just like the skinny ones for practically the same purposes. This would be discriminatory I think. ( I'm not fat...LOL ). Good question though!

Paul

yes

Gringo L

Yeah sounds a valid question

David W

In the early days of passenger flight, that's exactly what they did. But then with much smaller planes it was more critical to know exactly how much weight was on board and where it was. Now, they calculate averages and work on those for loadings.

jackjonesfoto

You are only permitted 50 lbs per suitcase in the US for domestic flying.

And I do think the airlines would love to charge for obese people, that IS what you are saying, but that is discrimination, and against federal law.

Scottg

everyone has got a baggage weight limit, and regardless of the size and weight of a person, the total amount of passengers and baggage are all calculated at an average weight and this determines the total amount of fuel the aircraft will carry for the journey. The heavier the aircraft the more fuel needed.

noeusuperstate

That is broadly how it works, except it is all placed on the baggage.
The reason for that is the number of seats are fixed and so is the size of the baggage holds. The placement of the seats ensures a reasonably even weight distribution it accordance with the design of the plane/engine size. To ensure this happens with baggage a weight restriction is applied. Most people try to avoid over packing so under pack this compensates for the likes of the wealthy WAGS etc.

Vespa

bahaha! uh, yeah. i think that when you're talking about flying a vehicle that weights tons in itself, and you consider that man was not created to fly, weight should definitely be taken seriously...charge 'em for an extra seat if necessary or toss some luggage. it's only fair!

allason s

wow - do you really have nothing better to think about??

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