Is it discriminatory if an airline charged passngers according to weight?

1. 70

   alexandriaruthkposted 11 years ago

   Is it discriminatory if an airline charged passngers according to weight?
   
   What about pregnant women, obesity medical problem etc.

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2. 57

   Woodpecker27posted 11 years ago

   No, the airline is offering a service and if it costs more to have a passenger that is heavier their price should probably be a little higher.  Obviously if its 100 dollars more for someone that's 20 pounds heavier it's become excessive, but a small difference is not discriminatory.
   - This comes from a guy who is only 120 pounds so my opinion might be a little skewed.

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3. 67

   LandmarkWealthposted 11 years ago

   No at all.  If you went into a restaurant and consumed more food than the person sitting next to you, you'd pay more.  Personally I think the airlines should also adjust prices in other areas.  Only recently have they started charging for baggage that is checked.  In reality we have all been paying for it for years as it was built into the price of the ticket.  But we all paid the same price.  That wasn't fair.  The guy who checks no bags should pay less than the guy who checks two.  The same should be said for weight.  Some people are so big they basically take up two seats.  Why shouldn't they pay for two seats.  I seriously doubt in most cases that pregnant women will add enough weight to adjust the price of the ticket. Pregnancy doesn't typically make a 130 pound women 300lbs.

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4. 73

   sweetypie1968posted 11 years ago

   No.  It's an incentive to lose weight.  I welcome it.

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5. 86

   Express10posted 11 years ago

   I don't think so. If someone is obese it is because of an excess of caloric intake. While people can definitely gain weight on certain meds, meds alone are not to blame for a person gaining at least 100 lbs more than their normal weight range which is the equivalent of being obese. So obese people should pay more.
   
   As for pregnant women, they are "with child" so they should have to pay whatever the fee is to travel. If people don't like this arrangement they can use another carrier or method of travel or not travel at all. I have no problem with being charged a fare based on my weight. Heck, it could serve as an incentive for some people to work on dropping a few pounds.

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6. 71

   healthyfitnessposted 11 years ago

   If it was an airline that was run by taxpayer money it would be.

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7. 86

   TIMETRAVELER2posted 11 years ago

   No.  People who weigh more take up more room, sometimes as much as two spaces.  They also cause discomfort for people who must side beside them because they invade their space.  The extra weight adds to fuel costs, also.  So, I think charging more is a fair practice.

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8. 0

   Justsilvieposted 11 years ago

   Yes, unless they increase the size of the seats to go with the added charges! Seems to me if you charge by weight, you should be prepared to supply so many square inches per pound. I always seem to wind up sitting next to Mr. Small Waist and large shoulders... he takes up half of my seat, but I doubt he is overweight... should he have to pay more?

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9. 72

   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   Not at all. It's simple economics. Some large people take up two seats, so they should pay for two seats. Paying by the pound is smart because it gauges according to fuel usage.
   
   If someone wants to bring excess baggage (even if they're wearing it under their skin), that's "excess baggage" that other passengers are not taking on board.
   
   Pregnant women? That's 2 or more passengers!
   
   If an airline decides to waive this under certain circumstances for PR reasons, that's their business.
   
   If you don't like it, get together with like-minded people to create your own airline. Then set your own rules.

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