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Considering fuel cost is one of the biggest operating cost for airlines, I think it is a fair and reasonable policy. You pay according to the total weight of your entire luggage and your own body, so that a 95lbs skinny girl with nothing but a handbag doesn't have to subsidize a 300lbs guy with two checked in bags and two heavy carry-ons. Yes, it is subsidizing.
I hope more airlines will start doing that. Some people may complain "it is not fair, I am born this big". It doesn't matter, because it takes more fuel for the aircraft to carry you than a little person, and it is not fair for that person to subsidize you (pay same fare while consuming less energy). The incremental cost to make a bigger shirt/longer pants are negligible, but the incremental cost to transport 200 pounds of body mass is not.
Mod comment, Nov. 10, 2014: People, please note that the article cited is from a parody website. The articles are parodies - untrue and created for entertainment purposes only. Here's another example: Standing-Room Only Airline Announced | This is That with Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring | CBC Radio As our member Larry Siegel pointed out in a later post, "This and That" show was nominated for the 2013 Canadian Comedy Award.
While there is some good discussion on this thread, it is also rife with off-topic and inappropriate posts. It's in the process of being cleaned up. The thread will remain closed, at least until cleanup is complete.
I agree wholeheartedly with the idea, but the concept is not practical. Having scales/weighing people is just more airport lines. They barely keep enough check-in desks open as it is.
I have been suggesting this for years. I'd be saving a fortune on plane tickets, because I actually care enough to take care of myself. Considering that weight causes fuel use and fuel is the biggest cost airlines face, it seems logical.
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Oh come on! Yet another thing that would tick passengers off. No, not a good or practical idea. People are hassled and abused enough as it is without the added stress of stepping on a scale...even normal weight people do not want their weight to be available for public display.
Oh come on! Yet another thing that would tick passengers off. No, not a good or practical idea. People are hassled and abused enough as it is without the added stress of stepping on a scale...even normal weight people do not want their weight to be available for public display.
I agree not a practical idea although I would benefit from such system.
This is not even realistic. Do you think people are going to stand in line to get weighed, do you have any idea how much time this would take or how many more employees they would need just to try to enforce such a rule. How about the person who weighs one thing before they travel and gains or looses a few lbs while on their trip? What about the guy who is 6ft 5 inches, should he have to pay more because God gave him height, but the little gal, who is 30 lbs overweight but only 5 ft tall pays less?
SWA tried this a few years ago with no success. They were just charging people over a certain weight extra. My guess, with all the bad PR the airline industry is getting and the cost to fly right now, this idea will die before it is really born.
Oh come on! Yet another thing that would tick passengers off. No, not a good or practical idea. People are hassled and abused enough as it is without the added stress of stepping on a scale...even normal weight people do not want their weight to be available for public display.
Flying is just one hassle after another.
Asking passengers to weigh in will be the death knell for an already beleaguered industry.
As to the person who said they "take care of themselves" - GOOD for you for having the right genetics and no medical problems!
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