So I bought a ticket to Denver today and am excited to get out of this red hole known as Alabama. Legal weed, mountain air, and old friends are waiting for me and I'm super stoked except....
Besides the total assault on privacy that is the tsa screening, the knowledge that I will likely be selected for "additional screening" I always seem to end up between two, ummm, heavier people.
I'm a fit 150, 6', eat right and take care of myself and I've never been overweight in my life. Therefore I cannot know what life is like for heavy folks. That being said, it sucks a bag of dicks getting squeezed between a couple of typical Alabamians (we just surpassed Mississippi as the fattest state in the union).
Flying sucks for everyone and I'm certain it can't be any more comfortable for bigger folks since I barely fit into airline seats myself.
Recently I flew back from South America and my ticket price would have been much more with extra luggage. In fact with one carry-on and one checked bag, it would more than double my ticket price. The reason sited? Weight.
But it begs the question: if the weight of my luggage increases my price so much, should obese people not be required to pay more?
I don't judge anyone, and my mind lends itself to fairness so I'm merely asking the question. Obviously this is a sensitive subject for many, so I'm doing my best to tread lightly here (no pun intended).
It turns out several airlines have proposed this idea but are reluctant to roll it out citing sensitivity concerns. I get that. We don't want to offend anyone.... But where do we draw the line? Flying sucks for everyone, and implementation of an obesity charge would likely get very ugly in concourses around the world.
What do yall think? Is it fair to charge for extra baggage weight but not for body weight?
Should obese people be required to buy an extra seat when their size makes a flight unbearable for those unlucky enough to be seated next to them? Or is the airline to blame for not making proper accommodation for people of all sizes?