Chicagoist: United: Pay Up, Fatties

Spook

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:40:21 -0600

o.k. enough! its Thursday night and after a long hard day many of us are heading out to any public house that will have us for a nip to celebrate one last day to the weekend. I know this has been a sensitive topic pitting fat Chicagoist brother against in-shape Chicagoist sister and vice versa. So remember the words of tolerance & SIZE UNITY as preached back when hip hop was real, by one Humpty the leader Digital Underground who rapped in song Humpty Dance " "like my beats funky, I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy. Sometimes I get ridiculous I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice hey yo Fat Girl, c'mere--are ya ticklish? Yeah, I called ya fat. Look at me, I'm skinny It never stopped me from gettin' busy I'm a freak I like the girls with the boom I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom I'm crazy. Allow me to amaze thee......"

Ingrid

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:45:57 -0600

Yes. You do get fat from too many helpings of gravy. Neuroscience is wonderful, but did you ever see any pics of a fat person while they were in Auschwitz? And you're trivializing. It's not that 'being touched' is such a bad thing. But when you are squished in your seat to the point of non-mobilization because you're Oreo'd between two obese people, that is an infringement. If you enjoy that, that's great. But I don't. And if I were that heavy, I would definitely not make it my purpose to infringe on my neighbor. When I see an extremely heavy person at the beach in a bikini...my first thought is how awesome it is to have that kind of self esteem. You can be as fat as you want, but just don't have it infringe on my space. That's all this is. There are many things in life that are unfortunate, but this is one thing that you have a choice over. Ever watch that show, "The Biggest Loser"? Those fat people are AMAZING in their reserve to work it off. It's fucking hard to do that and I would imagine even harder when you're that big to start off. But that's why they call it work. And I seem to remember you, JessNevins, making a remark about closing time at the bar and 'fatties'. So, come down off your horse. This isn't about discriminating against fat people, it's about our own comfort and space. That we paid for.

JessNevins

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:38:04 -0600

Outraged? Careful or you'll bust an arm patting yourself on the back chum. Oh with the self-control. Look, you don't get to be that heavy from too many helpings of gravy. Everything neuroscience is discovering about impulse control and compulsion paints a much more complex picture than just "stop eating fatty". I have sympathy and compassion for people who have a medical condition. Whining about someone touching you? Jesus, what are you 8?

Napoleon

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:43:24 -0600

Jess, I'm a similar height and build - coach seats are already uncomfortable for me. When I pay for my seat I expected it to be mine. Not 20% occupied by the twitching arm of my neighbor touching me the entirety of a 13 hour transatlantic flight. I'm sorry this person doesn't have enough self control at the dinner table, but I don't hate them. I just don't want to be uncomfortable because of them. Now continue being outraged over my anonymous Internet trolling.

HeaveMediaLisa

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:42:37 -0600

Thanks! It's alright though, I figured someone would call me out on it, haha. Thankfully it's a big part of my life, and being my size I've gotten use to explaining it. Yeah, I love when a really old runner passes me. I usually tell myself "keep running and you'll be one of those people someday." The older runners in marathons always seem to have the most fun with it.

HeaveMediaLisa

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:34:29 -0600

Thank you. I really appreciate your apology. And I actually agree with you on the seatbelt thing. Overweight people should take responsibility for their decisions with their health, pay for the seat, or like me, start doing something about it.

lamgray

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:23:56 -0600

FYI, I don't think most people implied that you didn't run, sorry one jerk had to make that assumption. I ran long distance via cross country and road races and the one thing I can say is NEVER judge a runner by their age or body type. . .I have been to too many races where I was averaging 6-7 minutes per mile, in which some man in his 80s KILLED me, to the point where he was able to catch his breath, drink a bottle of water, grab a water for me and cheer me on at the end of the race. A long distance runner is comprised of stamina and drive, so props to you for marahoning twice!

Ingrid

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:18:41 -0600

I don't think that anyone here is trying to condemn fat people, or laugh at them or make them feel bad. I don't know anyone who ever speaks disparagingly of overweight people...we're all beyond middle school here. Most of what is being said is that if you're so overweight that your body is invading someone else's space, then you must pay to accommodate yourself. That's all. Life is fundamentally unfair. Deal with that. We can't all be born Cindy Crawfords...the rest of us have to work really hard. Try living with cerebral palsy or kidney disease. Then going to the gym and cutting calories doesn't seem like such an obstacle....or paying extra for a bigger space either.

lamgray

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:17:58 -0600

My last post didn't refute that God exits either, did you presume that. If anyone reads more into that about stereotypes or assumptions about people that are obese, then that's the readers own issues and problems with the subject matter. I specifically talked about two individuals and one instance, and it made no implication. I didn't make any generalizations about the nature of people that are overweight. . .I didn't even deragatory terms and what not. . .my scenarios were to support the new terms put into place by United, and were backed up by scenarios that are similar in nature in dealing with charging for a transportation service in an instance where the objects (or persons in the United case, just want to make it clear that I am not referring to overweight people as objects before you jump to that assumption) are heavier or larger than average. And, yes, in the scenario mentioned, I did speak to the stewardess about trying to change seats, but the plan was full, so there were none available (some other flights had been cancelled and consolidated that day). She explained to me that unlike Southwest, they couldn't charge them for extra seats or remove them from the plan b/c there was no policy on that. She also let me sit on the stewardess tiny seats during the flight. When the couple asked me to use my tray, I did in fact say "No, I paid for the seat and space, I'd like to enjoy it." But, I can't really tell them not to spill into my seat either, it obviously wasn't intentiional, and its not like they can immediately fix it. They knew that they were into my seat, and I'm sure they felt bad about it, but what can you do? Sans a policy in place to deal with "who deserves the seat," there was no way to deal with it effectively. That was the point of my post. I'd like to point out that I didn't use any rude nicknames or references to people that are clinically obese. You're the one that used the terms in your post actually. And though it may be mocking, you're the one perpetuating deragatory terms and name calling by (a) paying attention to it and (b) using the terms yourself and making implications. And, I didn't think calling everyone who can come to their own personal opinion ignorant helps either. Just b/c you don't agree with a stereotype, doesn't mean that you can't perpetuate it. Implying and reading more into one particular account and both agreeing or disagreeing with your own implication only perpetuates that other people will come to that implication based on you vocalizing zed implication. Your plan to refute something I wasn't saying worked to set the statement coming from you, not me.

pucca

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:08:13 -0600

I don't think this is aimed at the large majority of overweight people as judged by the AMA BMI ratings - I think this is for people who are seriously overweight by 100+ lbs. I'm hardly svelte - I've lost 30 lbs in the last year and I could stand to lose 15-20 more - but I've never felt like the seats are too small. There are certainly people who have gained weight due to medical complications, and I suspect that United would waive the fee if they presented a note from a doctor, but most obese people are in that condition because they eat junk and don't move. @joshie - the reason it comes into effect when a plane is full is probably so they can charge full price for the extra seat and bump a passenger who got a dirt-cheap fare on the web or an employee flying comp.

JDole84

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:52:43 -0600

Look, they have those "does your baggage fit?" metal contraption outside the gates. Why not implement a "does your ass fit?" type one. Sure, it's humiliating, but I have no problem with that. * I usually fly with the person in front of me fully reclined, two "largies" on either side, my seat upright, head against the seat in front of me drooling on my suit. Whatever, just sleep through it.

matty

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:26:43 -0600

Ok, look upon reflection, I apologize for coming off like an asshole. From one runner to another, congrats on your achievements.

Kaonashi

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:48:13 -0600

Hey, I'm all for "if you take up more space either pay for roomier seats in first class/fly at less populated times or get an extra seat" but I'll be willing to bet that some of you are the same assholes who make fun of fat people at the gym.

gerobobo

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:59:10 -0600

cheers to united. fat people lol.

matty

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:31:58 -0600

ok so...yep. lose the weight. quit smoking. same thing. night.

Catherine

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:25:56 -0600

but douchebaggery is not, so it looks like you're out of luck. we're not making you out to be the bad guy, you did that quite well yourself.

matty

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:24:00 -0600

You can make me out to be the bad guy all you want. But obesity, like smoking, is preventable. Sorry, just is,

matty

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:22:00 -0600

Blah blah blah. Sorry you have to pay more for a plane ticket. And I hope your time was under 7 hours.

Catherine

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:13:27 -0600

I do believe Matty just got his ass served to him. Well done Lisa.

Catherine

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:10:24 -0600

Iamgray- Sorry if I assumed something from your post. I think I was more frustrated in the posts as a whole, and your 'pork sandwich' comment stuck in my head, because that's such a cliche, even though I know they really were eating them. I have no doubts that you had a bad experience and had that system been in place, you would have gotten the seat you paid for. But if this is such a cut and dry issue, like your trucks paying more money because they take up more space analogy, then I assume you told them straightforwardly that the situation was unacceptable and that something needed to change? Unless you left that out in your post, you obviously didn't. You came to a message board and left a gossip-y, 'oh my god can you believe this' post, so that other people would sympathize with you and you could rally together and vent about fatties. While your comment didn't infer that all overweight people are rude, it didn't exactly refute it, either. When they read your post, I think most people would assume that you believe that their weight was the main contributor to your miserable flight. That's exactly how it came across, whether you meant it to or not.

HeaveMediaLisa

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:02:00 -0600

Thanks Jess. I believe I sort of just did in a way, haha. Like duh, I have proof I'm a runner. It's a big part of my life.

HeaveMediaLisa

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:57:45 -0600

Since you clearly know me and all... This is what I have: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_ovary_syndrome Here is the search page for the Chicago Marathon 2007: http://results.active.com/pages/searchform.jsp?rsID=47323 Search my name Lisa White. It will bring me up, I registered with my dad (who also ran it) so we are registered from my hometown of Evansville, IN. Oh, and here is a photo of us before the race: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42324620@N00/3305141051/ Oh, and did I mention during training the first time I blogged about it since I was training alone? I stopped blogging after the first one, but it helped me push through the lost toenails and packets of Gu I had to consume: http://runlisarun.blogspot.com/ Oh, and a diet site actually wrote about it too. Would you like that link as well? Sure! http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/07/22/success_stories_how_your_comments_help_people.php I can also give you my CARA (Chicago Area Runners Assoc.) number too if you'd like it. I think this is enough though to back it up. Do you REALLY think I'd make these claims without proof? I've gotten enough odd responses when I tell people I'm a runner at my size to know better. People who love to distance run (regardlesss of their size) take this shit seriously. Man, tooting my own horn was sort of fun there. Thanks for that opportunity Matty!

Catherine

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:53:05 -0600

hey matty- guess what? fat people know they are fat! and they know they need to exercise to lose weight. But obviously, as the extremely lucrative diet industry show us, it's not that cut and dry. Most overweight people eat for a reason, like alcoholics drink for a reason, or gamblers gamble for a reason. I'm not saying it's an excuse, but there it is. If it were as easy as you say it is, then would there be a need for Weight Watchers? Or Jenny Craig, or Richard Simmons or Oprah or Biggest Loser or NutriSystem or South Beach Diet or Denise Austin or Suzanne Somers or Carmen Electra Striptease Workouts....I can go on all day here. Perhaps you should write a diet book and share your amazing secrets with the world? Just because it was easy for you, doesn't mean it is for everyone else. There's no need for you have to go stomping around this message board like a 5 year old pouting about how lazy fat people are. Did you lose your 40 lbs overnight? I bet you put a lot hard work into it, I would think that would make you more sympathetic to those overweight people who are trying to lose weight. it doesn't even matter because you're not even really discussing things, just being a bully. Which sucks for you, but oh well.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:52:55 -0600

Aww, look at the troll. I'd bet cash money that Lisa would slap the stupid right out of your mouth in person. You're one of those guys who shouts racial slurs and "Hey FATTY!" out of your car, then hits the gas, heart pounding, laughing cause you're a big man. You don't want to treat humans like humans, good deal. But that cuts both ways shiteyes.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:47:01 -0600

You remind me of the best retort I heard from a heavy person. "Hey, I can lose weight, but you'll still be an asshole". You were probably more fun as a big old fat person.

lamgray

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:46:06 -0600

I really don't see why someone saying "Hit the gym" is such a sensitive issue. . .If a friend complained about not knowing more about something, I might say, "Go to the library". . If someone wished they were more organized, I might say, "Hit the store for some supplies and storage." Yeah, its obvious, but is it really SO AWFUL. . .all of these things are hard to do for some people, easy for others. . .but is it really that terrible to say?

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:37:59 -0600

"I'm not saying that fat people should get an all access pass, I am just saying it's incredibly frustrating when thin people say things like "GO TO THE GYM" or "stop eating and get over it", like it's that easy. Wait, so you're telling me that if I exercise and eat right, then I will lose weight? Oh my goodness, why didn't I think of that?" Why not do it? I was forty pounds overweight a few years ago and did exactly that. FFS. That is the answer despite you not wanting to hear it. Hit the gym. Eat well. Done.

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:36:21 -0600

except for not following the heatlthiest diet part.

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:35:35 -0600

"gained a lot of weight thanks to a hormone disease. Granted, I don't follow the healthiest diet, but I'm not your average fat person. I've ran in 2 marathons, I'm active, and I'm slowly but surely working on getting healthy." I don't believe you. Like, at all.

lamgray

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:35:21 -0600

Catherine, You seem to be the ignorant one making assumptions here. I was relating to one particular experience in which two people that were spilling far into my seat, causing me to be the one to have to deal with it. Yes, these two individuals were rude in this scenario. I NEVER inferred that all people that are overweight are rude or slobs or even that they all sit around and do nothing but eat pork sandwhiches. YOU are the one that made that assumption and said that, not I. And, they WERE eating that food. . I just pointed it out, b/c its a messy food to eat and awkward on the plane, and the fact that they actually asked to store it in my seat area. . .never did I imply that this was the case for everyone. I was simply trying to convey a time on a united flight, where if this ruling was put into place, I would have been able to actually fit into my seat, due to the fact that people were spilling over. That I would have gotten the seat I actually paid for. Sorry that YOU jumped to some conclusion based on your own thoughts and decided to go on a tirade about it. My comments were factual and actually happened, unlike your assumptions. Hey, people on a message board are PEOPLE TOO, so is the writer of this article. . .think about that before you call everyone ignorant as well. Pot, meet kettle!

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:33:57 -0600

"To use this issue as a platform to say that all overweight people are rude, sweaty pigs who don't take care of themselves and sit around eating pork sandwiches...well that's just pretty awful. " Yeah but that's exactly what they are.

Catherine

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:04:46 -0600

Playing a sport or studying to be something are totally different than weight, one of the most sensitive topics for 99.9% of the population, even for skinny people. Go tell your girlfriend she looks fat in those jeans and be prepared for a meltdown. I'm not saying that fat people should get an all access pass, I am just saying it's incredibly frustrating when thin people say things like "GO TO THE GYM" or "stop eating and get over it", like it's that easy. Wait, so you're telling me that if I exercise and eat right, then I will lose weight? Oh my goodness, why didn't I think of that? Some people are working our asses off to lose weight, but it's not like significantly overweight people have 'a pesky 5 lbs to lose.' To do it right (read: not get gastric bypass or starve yourself) takes time. I am not taking issue with United's stand on making overweight people buy two seats. Most airlines do that anyway. Southwest has been doing it since the '80s. I am taking issue with the disproportionate amount of ignorant people on this thread, and the fact that this is even a news story.

HeaveMediaLisa

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:55:12 -0600

Majority of the country is obese, so it's funny more fat people (like myself) aren't chiming in here. Then again most fat people doing something about their weight don't feel like they are associated with the horrible stereotypes most of you have projected here. Then you are reminded "oh, I haven't lost enough weight yet to not be considered a fat slobbering pig who can't breathe by some random stranger." Well thank you Chicagoist for the reminder. I gained a lot of weight thanks to a hormone disease. Granted, I don't follow the healthiest diet, but I'm not your average fat person. I've ran in 2 marathons, I'm active, and I'm slowly but surely working on getting healthy. I go out of my way to not be the fat person you people seem to hate. And if I was flying with United, and I was worried about this being an issue, I'd discuss it beforehand with the airline. But when I do get down again to a healthy weight, I hope I won't be as bitter and cruel to someone because they've made the poor choice of gaining weight. It sucks for their body and their health, but you don't know their full story. And rest assured, every fat person knows what they are doing to their body, so you don't need to remind them with your lovely vocabulary. Bottom line is, if you are going to be unhealthy and obese, take responsibility for it. Plan accordingly and accept that you live in a world where you are frowned upon, or fucking change it. But stop being that horrible negligent fat person that perpetuates the stereotypes that you people seem so knowledgeable about. And Chicagoist, way to loose a ton of respect with your oh so witty "Pay Up, Fatties" title. Also love the use of tubby. What are you, an 8th grade bully? Grow up. You wouldn't use crude generalizations to talk about other various demographics, so don't use crass terminology to talk about fat people. There is a way to relay this story without being offensive. All you did was open up a forum to bash fat people, because you clearly made it fine to do so with the tone of this piece. Cmon folks, I thought better of you.

Prescott Carlson

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:18:58 -0600

"Should the person who tried to be a doctor but failed out of undergraduate still be allowed to practice surgery?" It depends on how charming they are.

Sears Tower

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:06:29 -0600

I don't think the fact they are trying to lose weight should count for anything. I tried to be a basketball player, but failed because I can't shoot, dribble, pass, rebound, or play defense. Should the Bulls start me for a game because I am trying? Should the person who tried to be a doctor but failed out of undergraduate still be allowed to practice surgery? They may not want to take up two seats, but the fact is they do and they should pay more for it. Maybe this humiliation will motivate them to lose weight. Lack of advancement at work motivated me to get a graduate degree, so failure or "bad" things sometimes work out for the best.

Catherine

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:54:50 -0600

Of course when a story like this comes out, everyone rushes to share their worst 'fat person' story. "Oh well wait until you hear what happened to ME!" Come on people. There are obnoxious, rude people everywhere, and just because you had a bad flight experience with an overweight person, it doesn't mean that all overweight people need to be banned to some remote corner of the universe until they get off their fat asses and lose some weight. Take a look around you. I'm sure every one of you know at least one person struggling with their weight. Maybe it's your mom, or your uncle or a coworker or a friend. Do they have "fat person's entitlement"? Probably not. Chances are, they ARE trying to lose weight, have been struggling with it all their life, and feel embarrassed about it enough without you hurling 'Fat American Pig' insults at them. Most fat people are just trying to get from Point A to Point B without drawing attention to themselves. They aren't asking for any special treatment, nor do they think they are "entitled" to spill over into your seat. That is the most ridiculous generalization I've ever heard, right behind "all black people are loud and ghetto." For the record, I do not think that it's right for an overweight person to make another person's flight 'miserable,' and some of these posts have a valid point. But those experiences are isolated incidents. Would you feel this much outrage if you sat next to a stick thin woman who reeked of smoke and cheap perfume so badly you couldn't breathe? To use this issue as a platform to say that all overweight people are rude, sweaty pigs who don't take care of themselves and sit around eating pork sandwiches....well that's just pretty awful. Christ, at the end of the day, they're still people.

Spook

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:02:22 -0600

sorry JessNev. but we gotta part company on this. Fat people ( unless they have some sort of birth defect or are poor) get no sympathy from me! And because more and more Americans are pigs doesn't mean they should get rewarded because of their growing number. Its nothing but entitlement and laziness. News flash I don't like going to the gym all the time, especially when its cold. But I do it. Lamgray's story represents fat people's entitlement at its worst, but I got another interesting story. My ex went to Italy last year and went to an opera. Because Italians aren't fat, the seats are smaller. Well in walks an American couple( maybe the same couple on Lamgrays plane) who can't comfortably fit into the seats. They raise such a fat stink that the ushers after consulting with management, give them front row seats, which they saunter to with pride while mumbling about how can Italy consider itself an international destination with tiny seats! Ingrid! Shame on you for letting that man get away with that! Please tell me that he asked you as opposed he "told" you! Man when I saw him actually leaning back, his knee caps would have been broken!

lamgray

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:14:45 -0600

Worst flight experience of my life: I board a full flight on Friday from Wichita, KS to Chicago. . .last flight out in the evening. Two very overweight passengers (husband and wife) happen to have the two seats around me. So, both of them are piling into my seat. . .Oh, it gets worse. . .Not only are they having a conversation around me, but they whip out pulled pork sandwhiches. . .6 of them. . very messy, and they are the kind of messy eaters that chew with their mouth open, the whole bit. . .I tell myself, its a short flight. . get in the zone. . .but then, during the flight delay. . they actually ask me if I can put MY folding tray down for them to place their sandwiches down b/c they were too big to fold them down!!! I lost it there and told them no. . I ended up standing in the aisle to get some space. . .The stewardess came over after awhile to ask what was going on, but all she had to do was look at what was going on. She actually felt so bad that she let me sit in the stewardess area until we had to land. But, that was RIDICULOUS. I paid the same price for a ticket, and I couldn't even sit in my own seat. This isn't a thing against overweight people, its simply FAIR. Trucks pay more on toll roads. .why? Because they cause more damages to the roads and take up more space. . .You pay more to ship heavy and larger freight. . this is exactly the same. . .

Ingrid

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:43:08 -0600

If you're so big, then you should pay for business or first class. I was "tapped aggressively on the shoulder" once when I put my seat back by a guy who was gigantic. Not really so fat, but at LEAST 6'3" and XXL. He told me to put my seat back up, which in a knee jerk reaction I did, but got really pissed when I noticed that HE had His seat down. So, my 5'7" slender body is supposed to suffer because of him? What an asshole. You're that big then you just have to pay extra. I don't want to squish between you and the seat to climb over you if I have to pee, and I don't want you telling me to put my seat up when it's ok for you to put yours down. Don't make your problem my problem. And I don't like hating on fat people, but there is nothing worse than being crammed between two hefty passengers who are so big they have to breath through their mouths for the whole flight, and the whole climbing over them to pee and then having NO arm rest. I mean seriously...their upper bodies cramming into my body. That is just not right. Especially on a long flight. There are options. Fly first class or business. Buy two seats and/or lose weight. If I have to pay $180 round trip when I want to travel with my SEVEN pound dog, then you should have to pay extra for your extra poundage too.

SednaBoo

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:20:46 -0600

If you ever watched that reality show "Airline" that follows Southwest crews around, they have had the "Person of Size" thing come up a lot. Usually they spot the person in the waiting area, and try to have them get on and see if the can put the armrest down and aren't crossing it to the adjacent seat. If they are, they have to pay up or wait for another flight that isn't so full. Usually the passengers aren't too upset. It's not a surprise to them that they're fat. This isn't just a matter of personal space. If you're that big that you take up two seats, you also cost that much more in fuel to cart around. I keep hearing them threaten to weigh passengers and bags and charge extra for weight above a certain limit. I wouldn't mind this, but then i'm skinny.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:17:35 -0600

Matty, may I read your "rules"? I assume that like most pontificating jags you have a tightly worded manifesto. It's easy to carp about fat people. Easy targets for small minds. Keyboard cowboys who think that someones bad health choices mean they should be shamed and humiliated. How about the stocks? Or public floggings? That'll learn'em! Cause being fat in this society isn't galling and humiliating enough.

ophmarketing

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:03:47 -0600

Any chance of getting CTA to implement this policy?

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:57:34 -0600

Maybe you're a woman, but I'm referring to my balls. Which are amazing by the way. Simply. Amazing. @mickcube I refute the concept that coach seats are built for humans.

joshie

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:55:49 -0600

While some posters(including the author in his title) are using unnecessarily derogatory language, the fact is that some people are infringing on the space of other paying customers. You pay for a seat, you get one seat--yours. You don't get your seat and part of mine. The problem is that heavier (and thus wider) people are taking up space designated for other passengers. That's not fair. By the way, while seat pitch may have gotten somewhat smaller, "Seat widths in economy class have not changed, really, since the advent of jets." (source) People are getting wider. It's not unreasonable to expect someone to pay extra when they are using more resources, in this case seat area. What confuses me is that--from what I've read--this policy only comes into effect when a plane is full...but if the plane is full, where do they find the extra seat to accommodate the obese person? Are they going to bump someone from the plane?

jmagic

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:47:40 -0600

JessNevins hates internet trolls, people who yell fire in a crowded elevator and has a cock John Holmes would be jealous of (he has to fold it up just to get it into his pants!) ... also he's a multiple winner of 1-round bouts.

mickcube

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:33:58 -0600

i don't know how you can defend someone who's let themselves get to the point where they can't fit into the same chairs other humans can. except maybe on airtran. my heart goes out to very tall, although the basketball team with C boarding passes on my southwest flight last week managed just fine.

jimbo

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:32:24 -0600

If you pay for a seat, you get a seat, not multiple. A recession has nothing to do with one passenger's ability to inconvenience another.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:32:20 -0600

The day I take weight advice from an internet troll is the day the devil buys a snowblower. You're one of these people who really get off on hating fat people? I work with a guy like that. He's always pointing out heavy people in crowds and at work. "Hey, hey, look at that guy. God, he's HUGE". He's pants on head retarded and the first one out the door when the layoffs come. Come to think of it, I think his middle name is Matthew.... The difference here is they're not providing more service, they're penalizing customers. You want to offer roomier seats, that's good. Why not? Those seats are designed for people with short legs who are 5'9" or under. I fly business so I don't end up with leg cramps.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:31:44 -0600

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:22:13 -0600

sorry stupid lag....

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:18:22 -0600

Smokers pay more for their lifestyle choices, why shouldn't obese people? I think this is an excellent rule merely because of the message it sends to people about the rules of personal responsibility.

dopplerd

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:17:24 -0600

Umm, isn't this like charging more for the XXL and larger shirt sizes at Sears? That has been going on for decades and no one cares. All but the slimmest minority of overweight people are overweight because of an actual metabolic condition. The VAST majority are like that due to poor diet and lack of exercise. It is not the fault of United that some people can't fit into anything smaller than a Barcalounger.

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:15:07 -0600

Jess you could stand to lose 15... Anyway, Smokers pay more for their lifestyle choices, why shouldn't obese people? I think this is an excellent rule merely because of the message it sends to people about the rules of personal responsibility.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:08:28 -0600

Oh please, grow the fuck up. "invaded"? It's a person, you mong. I bet you gave them what for and stood up for yourself right? Right? No, you're whining on a message board. Like a sissy baby, with a fake name. Courageous! So in the middle of a recession, when people are cutting back on things like travel, United is going to start double billing fat customers, in a nation where nearly half the adults are overweight and a 1/3 are obese? Sound business strategy. They spent the better part of the past 30 years cramming people into tinier and tinier spaces as well. Honestly, I'm 6'2" and weigh 195 pounds. I have to fold my genitals into origami to get into most airplane seats these days.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:07:56 -0600

Napoleon

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:52:58 -0600

As someone who has had a their seat invaded by the sweaty flab of the person sitting next to me I say this: thank you, United.

matty

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:43:48 -0600

Fantastic. This is the best rule I think I have ever heard of ever.