June 6, 2008
Things that Make Us Grumble
Non-stories Paging Sandi Jackson! CBS 2 wonders if airlines could start charging people based on their weight. Why would they wonder that? Because "it's an idea floating around in cyberspace." Someone somewhere had a terrible idea. Experts say it'll never happen. But could it?
Still, the story's not a complete waste, because it contains this line:
At O'Hare International Airport Thursday afternoon, traveler Kathy Michalski said, "Oh crump! Not now. 20 years ago I would've been fine."
"Oh, crump"? Hee.
ATM fees Grr on their existence. And double-grr on Bank of America raising its fee to $3. Ye gods.
Excessive punishment New Trier senior Jonah Greenthal is facing up to a year in jail if he's convicted of misdemeanor computer-tampering charges for allegedly hacking into his high school's computer system. He didn't change anything or destroy any information--he was trying to find out his class rank. Greenberg's already been suspended for 55 days and banned from prom and graduation. [WBBM]
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I think that is a great story.
Fat people would have to pay more, which is only fair, because they are adding extra weight to the aircraft.
What would make a wee bit more sense, if I may use the word in this ridiculous context, would be to have the traveler stand with all his/her luggage on a scale and charge for an excess above whatever mean weight they assume for fuel calculations.
I may be lean, but I bring a lot of books when I travel.
Really?! Really.
We get it, Matty, you hate fat people.
What if they did a BMI measurement instead?
Oh, as I read the article I see what I posted above was the completely rumored, entirely unsourced, foggy notion.
Not a ridiculous idea. A base price per seat plus a surcharge for every 10 pounds over 150, maybe? For ticket purchases, customers could self-report, then pay the difference onsite (like having to pay the over-50-pound luggage fee onsite), plus a penalty if the variance is significant. Yes, I think it sucks, but the weight adds up to greater fuel needs and costs. The classic business model is clearly not working to keep the airline industry afloat, so to speak, so it's time to start thinking about new ideas. And for people to take some responsibility for those factors they can control. Ship more, pay more, whether luggage or body mass.
And, whether going to the weight model or not, you're darn right you ought to pay for two seats if you take up two seats. What could possibly be unfair about that?