Canadian Supreme Court; Obese Have Right To Two Airplane Seats

Discussion in 'The Cocktail Lounge' started by Rainman, Dec 2, 2015.

  1. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    This is great news for the overweight people in Canada but I don't see why they should be getting any privileges. But thanks to Canada's Supreme court ruling, obese people can get two airplane seats for the price of one.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/11/20/canada-obesity-idUSN2039776920081120
    While I have nothing against obese people, I think they should be charged double. Take two seats pay double. That's fair.
     
  2. L_B

    L_B Well-Known Member

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    Being a Canadian I am not sure how I really feel about this. I don't think you should be punished for being obese by having to pay double but maybe there should be an extra fee for using the two seats. You couldn't really have somebody sitting in the seat beside you if there wasn't enough room for them to sit comfortably. The seat would have to remain empty anyway. I wonder what they consider obese? They would have to have a weight restriction on who falls under this category. I will have to read more up on this and see exactly what it is all about. This article doesn't say a whole lot. I am interested to see how others feel about this.
     
  3. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    I think cases like this have to be dealt with on a case by case basis, and you can't really say people a person is obese, they have the right to two seats in my opinion.

    While NOT giving them two seats might be seen to be discriminating against the obese person, its also not fair to penalise the, shall we call them normal sized people, by saying a flight is full when it isn't officially.
     
  4. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Complete political correctness BS once again. If you need two seats, then book two seats. It's as simple as that.
    I should start complaining that I'm Anthropophobic (yes I had to google that. Fear of people) so I can get an empty seat on both sides. Then I'd just lie down and sleep for the whole flight. :D
     
  5. kgord

    kgord Senior Investor

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    Well, maybe a bit more as they are using two seats. if you are that obese that you need two seats, I am kind of surprised you have been cleared to fly medically. I mean sometimes you pay more for clothing in a larger size, so it seems to make sense you should have to pay more if you use two seats as well. It is just an idea.
     
  6. Alex

    Alex Senior Investor

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    If you need two seats then you must pay for two seats, what the airlines could do is offer a discount for the 'second' seat, but I think it was a poor judgment, because it can create a precedent for other things. I guess the passenger must prove they are 'functionally disabled' and thus they come under special needs and disabled people, who do have leeway for extra space for free.
     
  7. L_B

    L_B Well-Known Member

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    I actually like this idea! :)
     
  8. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    this is a good idea, but as you said it needs to be up to the airline to choose if they wish to do so. Making it a law that they are allowed two seats is just pushing the already struggling flight industry into a deeper mess as now not only do they use up more fuel (it's true. There are even some low cost airlines that considered charging you based on your weight) but they also lose a paying customer because mr. or mrs Fatso needs two seats.
     
  9. turt

    turt Guest

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    Since most obese people are obese by choice (some are not), I don't see why they should get a free seat. If you can't control yourself, you deserve to pay extra.
     
  10. Susimi

    Susimi Senior Investor

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    Well it's a pretty good move for obese people but I do think that they should have to pay more for using two seats. That view might cause uproar but but then people would say the same sort of thing if someone used the seat next to them to hold their bag or something. It's only fair.

    Having said that there should be special circumstances for people who cannot control their obesity.
     

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