Court Says Fatties Deserve Two Airline Seats
By Wyatt Earp | November 21, 2008
The scary part: the woman was wearing heels when she left!
I would have been a lot jollier about this a year ago . . . when I was a big, fat bastard. Now? Not so much.
OTTAWA – Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.
The high court declined to hear an appeal by Canadian airlines of a decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency that people who are “functionally disabled by obesity” deserve to have two seats for one fare.
The airlines had lost an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in May and had sought to launch a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court. The court’s decision not to hear a new appeal means the one-person-one-fare policy stands. (H/T – Reuters)
The missus asked a great question after seeing this story. Would a person deserve two seats if they just wore a few layers of clothes and stuffed a pillow under their shirt? If so, they could just take it off when the plane leaves the runway. Imagine, the comfort of first class for the price of coach!
Topics: Snarkasm | 14 Comments »
November 21st, 2008 at 12:34 am
What about anorexics? If they truly believe they are obese, and they demand 2 seats, what then? What if the airline says no? Can someone sue an airline for 2 seats in the case of self-perceived obesity?
Can. Check.
Worms. Check.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:38 am
They should have to weigh in, in front of everyone. It’s funny you posted about this because this issue has been a pet peeve of mine forever. Do you know how many miserable flights I’ve had to endure because some fat ass sat next to me and insisted on having the armrest up and proceeded to take a minimum of 1/4 of my paid for seat? Their fat legs rubbing against mine for 5 freaking hours.
Yes, they need two seats but they should have to pay for them. Why should the airlines suck down the cost for these fat assholes. It’s not a disability it’s an inability to say NO.
Pisses me off. And yes, I’m bitter.
p.s. My best friend’s mom is obese and flies first class or buys two seats. No one has to tell her, she figured that out on her own. She is obese and I love her. I just get ticked at people who think they deserve something, when in fact they are lazy. She is lazy but she pays her own way.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:38 am
Did I just get myself banned?
November 21st, 2008 at 6:11 am
Mare, that was funny.
Maybe they should have “Super Size” planes and have some regular planes with a scale at the check in counter along with different take off times. The person at the counter could ask if they want it super size that? That is the choice that put them in that situation anyway.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:37 am
But they charge you an extra $25 if your luggage is 1 pound oveweight.
They should harpoon the a-holes who demand an extra seat for free. Next flight (to the Bahamas YES!!!), I’m eating 2 pounds of “bean-heavy” chili. god help the poor bastards sitting near me.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:48 am
This is getting ridiculous. Obese people can get a 2-for special in Canada? Will they also get 2 free bags of peanuts? Get to bring an extra carry on bag? Costs will increase, because now the airlines will have to eat the cost of that one unpaid seat.
Next thing you know people with split personality disorders will be demanding extra free seats for their other selves. Where does it end? Will it end?
November 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
I got on a plane that was full. Not a seat to be had except the seat beside me. Just before they closed the door, in waddled a woman that went a good 350 or 400 lbs. She walked to the seat beside me and wedged herself into the seat. When she wanted to put the arm rest up I told her that when she buys my ticket, she can have part of my seat. You know those little demonstrations buckles the stews use to show you how the seat belt works? It took one of those to get her strapped down. About 20 minutes into the flight, I was sweat from head to toe as that fat lady made contact on every part of my body. I called the stewardess and she mover me to the seat she had been in on takeoff. I had to move back when we landed, but I will never again suffer that indignity. Fat people should be forced to pay for extra pounds and purchase two seats OR STAY HOME!
MUD
November 21st, 2008 at 10:18 am
Judges must be the dumbest people in the world. They have to be crazy!
How is an airline supposed to determine who gets two seats and how can an airline make a profit after dumb rulings like these.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:25 am
How big is the judge?
November 21st, 2008 at 11:02 am
I think once a person becomes a judge, he automatically loses brain cells and has to check his common sense into a lock box.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:04 am
People used to go on a diet before they went on a vacation.
This policy of getting two seats might make people decide to “bulk up” before a vacation if it helps you get an extra seat on the plane.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:41 am
I have 2 possible solutions.
1. The airlines will simply increase the price for a single seat to nullify some computed average of obese people on any given future flight to recover costs or possible even make more.
2. Throw the porkers into the cargo hold with the baggage and give them an extra blanket so they won’t have to unload a 500lb block of ice fat when they land.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Been there too, just like Mud… It is NOT fun, and I have literally refused to fly sitting next to one of those porkers- she stunk from three seats away! What you are seeing though, is socialism in action in Canada… Just wait till it gets here!
November 21st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Not much to add here that hasn’t already been said. You guys are brutal, though. I’m glad I’m not 236 pounds anymore. Heh.