Canadian Supreme Court: Fatties Have A Right To Get Two Airline Seats For The Price Of One

• November 21, 2008

Sure. It’s not like their should be consequences for being unhealthy or anything.

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.
The high court declined to hear an appeal by Canadian airlines of a decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency that people who are “functionally disabled by obesity” deserve to have two seats for one fare.
The airlines had lost an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in May and had sought to launch a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court. The court’s decision not to hear a new appeal means the one-person-one-fare policy stands.

I’m a fat guy. I’m not especially happy about it, but there it is. I’ve tried to lose weight and nothing has ever really worked for me. My chubbiness may be a genetic thing. My father’s family has a lot of chubby guys in it. So maybe it’s not my fault. Maybe there’s something genetic to it. Maybe I just need to eat healthier and exercise more.
But whatever the cause of my obesity, it’s my problem and I certainly don’t have the right to use the size of my waistline to demand extra services from the companies I patronize at no additional cost.
I recognize that air travel is difficult for larger people. I don’t know how many times I’ve walked down that aisle in the airplane seeing that the only seat available is one in the middle and seeing the people on either side rolling their eyes at the idea of me wedging myself between them. It’s not very fun, but it’s my problem. And I don’t have the right to make it someone else’s problem.
Don’t want to have to buy a first class ticket, or buy two coach seats, because you’re so fat? Lose some weight.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Politics

http://Array di butler

Everyone here knows I have 2 kids, 2 grandkids, 2step-grandkids, but I hate to ride on a plane with kids more than fat people. I get agitated by people squishing me, but it is way better than screaming brats running up and down aisles and climbing over seats. For years there’s been a tale circulating that airlines were going to offer a “kid-free” part of the plane. I think it is a great idea. Even a separate plane. Screw this extra baggage,drinks,pillows etc. charge crap. People will pay willingly to be away from ankle biters.

BTW, Rob, why do you call yourself fat? You don’t look fat in the pic you had on your avatar. Maybe husky, but fat is like the chick with the big ass in the incredible folding chair posted here.
http://magyartruth.blogspot.com/ Chief RZ

As a pilot, each flight must be justified with weight and balance. Some now charge for extra baggage. Charging by weight would be a good idea, but seats are integers, and numbered. If one needs two seats, they should pay for two seats. Period.

Now the real question is: Are Canadian Airlines nationalized?
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

The argument behind obese people and air travel is not new.
It was said once (and it is true) that airplanes have to use more fuel due to the increased weight.

That’s not the argument at all and you know it.

Why must you lie about the argument…because you can’t argue against the real reason?
ellinas

here is one link:http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2008/08/overweight_passengers_cost_the.html
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

Kenny. Even though we are not making the argument now, I remember not long ago the airlines did complain that obese and overweight people caused them to use more fuel.
It was not something debated here on SAB. Do’t be so quick to accuse me of making things up.

Yet you’re quick to jump on the idea that children need to pay less, and that doing this will lead to charging tall people more.

You are debating as if anyone is saying that now.
ellinas

Yet you’re quick to jump on the idea that children need to pay less, and that doing this will lead to charging tall people more.

Kenny on November 20, 2008 at 07:45 pm

No. I sad: “Jokes aside, what is next. Extra tall people pay more?
Do children pay reduced fares? If not, that is not fair, and it should negate for the obese people.
ellinas on November 20, 2008 at 07:05 pm

Extra tall people do not fit into the seat and alloted legroom. Or do they?
http://www.sayanythingblog.com/ electnixon

As a pilot, each flight must be justified with weight and balance. Some now charge for extra baggage. Charging by weight would be a good idea, but seats are integers, and numbered. If one needs two seats, they should pay for two seats.

I actually like the idea of a fixed fee (per seat) plus a price per pound. This would represent the actual cost of transport the most accurately.
http://sayanythingblog.com/ likwidshoe

ellinas, WTF? The first comment on this thread belies what you claimed only five hours before.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

I’m getting one of those Big 3 Auto maker CEO jobs so I never have to fly commercial.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

don’t kids use a full seat?
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

Extra tall people do not fit into the seat and alloted legroom. Or do they?

I give up. You’re too stupid to get things like facts and ideas.

Here’s a sucker. Oh wait….I’m sorry, that’d be cannibalism. Here have a piece of taffy and amuse yourself with these keys.
ollie-B

Damn. I thought you were going to whine about how unfair it would be for fat people to have to go first class if they wanted to fly.
But you actually take full responsibility for your situation. Now if we could just get a lot of other people to do that, it would eliminate some of the nonsense we have to put up with.
student student

Hey di butler,
Thanks for the note. The person concerned has had it since they were 16 or so, and now they are 52. We know it’s not going away, and we take her to the hospital once a year to learn new techniques. Hers stays in just from the waist down to her foot, but it is necessary to massage the entire system so it doesn’t spread, and to keep it under control. Good luck.
ellinas

di butler. Than may I suggest that airlines start selling tickets by the pound?
markm

Helluva chair.

GOOD LORD!…freeking Titanium chair or what?. Oh, and that’s a two ticket arse if there ever was one.
Hungry Bear

I once worked at a hotel when it hosted a convention of public sector union delegates.

Every last chair looked like the one pictured on the intro to this article.

Every last chair.
ellinas

I’m getting one of those Big 3 Auto maker CEO jobs so I never have to fly commercial.

The Whistler on November 20, 2008 at 07:05 pm

This is the best solution.
MMA Grappler

Rob,

You should try Brazilian Jujitsu. It really melts of the pounds.
ollie-B

Chief RZ,
I believe that Air Canada is nationalized. I am not sure about the others.
http://www.willisms.com/ Zsa Zsa

WOW!!!! That is a Big buttocks! I hate to imagine having to massage it to get rid of the fluid. Yikes!
Mickey

This reminds me of the time one of my rotund friends stepped on a ‘talking scale’ and the unit responded…”one at a time please.”
Elliot

Without wanting to sound mean– such an idea would only come from socialist Canada, but the best response– what someone already suggested….sell tickets by the pound.

Oh my, we are discussing a’serious’ topic? Yet,I find it hilarious. Sorry for those with a weight problem, but equally sorry for the chair.
http://manchestersquare.blogspot.com
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

Rob. I personally do not think you should pay more for your airlines ticket unless that ass in the picture is yours.

It’s a per seat price. Why should someone who needs two seats not pay for two seats?
http://www.myspace.com/thekingscourt4u Gman

As my Dad used to say, ‘That one’s at least 2 axe handles wide’
ellinas

Kenny. Even though we are not making the argument now, I remember not long ago the airlines did complain that obese and overweight people caused them to use more fuel.
It was not something debated here on SAB. Do’t be so quick to accuse me of making things up.
di butler

Student,

Yeah, lymphodema is a horrible condition. Until you see someone you love, or you have it, it doesn’t sink in. My husband’s was getting so bad it was moving into his chest. He was having trouble taking a deep breath. He thought it was going to smother him. Scary. He is doing good, now. He saw a therapist for a long time, got it under control. Hopefully, it won’t ever get that bad again.
http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ sarainitaly

I just have one question…

does this chair make my ass look fat?
http://www.myspace.com/thekingscourt4u Gman

America, have U heard?
I got a brand new dance and it’s called “The Bird”
U don’t need no finesse or no personality
U just need 2 arms and an attitude and everybody sing with me
Come on now!

Wawk! Hallelujah! Whoa! {x2}

Brothers, don’t be cool
Women like it sometimes when U act a fool
Sisters, don’t be shy
Let your body get loose, U ain’t 2 fat 2 fly
Come on now!

Wawk! Hallelujah! Whoa!
di butler

Hey, I was the first one who said that if you are too big for one seat then you should pay for two. I agree. My husband got bigger being sick, but not that dang big. I’m with Woof on this one, that is a helluva chair. Whoever made that one should be designing lots of crap. As for the Student person, thanks for the advice, that was sweet, but he has been seeing specialists for about 2 years. Sometimes it doesn’t just stay in your extremeties, it can spread to your whole body, but you are right that you can wear compression bandages if a limb swells up huge. It is a horrible condition, sometimes you have it for life. My grandson just turned 2 a couple of months ago, and they are flying to Kansas tommorrow to live. We had to pay full price for his ticket, that’s life. Some airlines do 1/2 price, most let you go free until 2 if you sit on a lap. I wouldn’t want a 2 yr old in my lap for 3 hrs. I actually think the dog cage doesn’t look to badly to me, after some flights I have had with little kids.
Seth Williams

Awesome…and you know that the airlines will pass the cost on to the rest of us.
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

di butler. Than may I suggest that airlines start selling tickets by the pound?

It’s clearly fair to make someone who is using more services pay the same price as someone who is using less…
ellinas

Rob. I personally do not think you should pay more for your airlines ticket unless that ass in the picture is yours.
Jokes aside, what is next. Extra tall people pay more?
Do children pay reduced fares? If not, that is not fair, and it should negate for the obese people.
Hungry Bear

I’m sure that picture was taken at an NEA convention.
ellinas

don’t kids use a full seat?

The Whistler on November 20, 2008 at 07:06 pm

The argument behind obese people and air travel is not new.
It was said once (and it is true) that airplanes have to use more fuel due to the increased weight.
So the per pound ticket would be a good idea. A flat rate for adults up to 150 pounds, and the going rate for fillet minion for anything over 150 lb’s. As for children they should pay a reduced rate.
student student

Lymphoedema? I have someone in my family with that. To lose that weight, you need to exercise, eat well (with low sodium so you don’t retain the water), and get massages to remove the fluid from the area of concern. You also should be able to get prosthetics and bandages that you can use overnight or on one of those ‘bad days’ for your leg (if it’s the leg) if it’s bothering you enough.
Fat? Take care of yourself and exercise. I absolutely agree with that. And it will bring much more down than just the cost of airline tickets.
11B40

Greetings:

I’m thinking the fatsos and their lawyers are all headed for the restaurant for double-lunches.
ellinas

I’ve tried to lose weight and nothing has ever really worked for me

By Rob on November 20, 2008 at 05:38 pm

Don’t want to have to buy a first class ticket, or buy two coach seats, because you’re so fat? Lose some weight.

By Rob on November 20, 2008 at 05:38 pm
di butler

Wow, that was sensitive, E. I think at a certain age all of us wish we were thinner. I know I would like to lose the extra 10 or so I’m carrying. My husband has had lymphodema, and because you retain fluid, he gained 100 lbs. in 4 mos. He is already a big guy, but he would never expect a free extra seat. If you’ve got the girth, it’s not fair to others for you to get a free seat.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

I actually think the dog cage doesn’t look to badly to me, after some flights I have had with little kids.

Me too, usually mine.
http://www.thedailyslant.com/ Hairy Polemic

Than may I suggest that airlines start selling tickets by the pound?

You said that cynically, but I actually think that would be a great way to get around this ruling. Charging tickets by the pound would be rationally related to airline expenses.
SHADY

What if when you buy your ticket and there is only 2 seats left. And say you are a big person, and the seat numbers are 47 and 124. Interesting!!
http://www.dartemis.net/blog/ sayanything-42

I say give them overcompensating elinas’ seat (as in overcompensating elinas gets the window seat and the two seater gets the aisle seat in a two seat per side section).
di butler

WOW!!!! That is a Big buttocks! I hate to imagine having to massage it to get rid of the fluid. Yikes!

ZsaZsa,
That may be the grossest think I have heard in a long time. Oh wait, never mind, I saw the pregnant man on Larry King maybe Alive clip a few minutes ago. I think the fat ass isn’t nearly as bad as the “swollen clit” business.
http://www.bikebubba.blogspot.com/ Bike Bubba

Rob, your diet may not be going too well, but you sure helped me with MINE by posting that picture! :^)
di butler

I just have one question…

does this chair make my ass look fat?

Now that’s funny.
ellinas

likwidshoe. I was just pointing out that for some people it is impossible to lose weight, and used Robs post to make a point. Not to poke fun at anyone. Now I understand di butlers response as to being sensitive.
My intention was to show that some people just like Rob, are unable to lose weight no matter what they do.
My apologies to all that misunderstood my comment.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

It’s clearly fair to make someone who is using more services pay the same price as someone who is using less…

Sarcastic, right?

Hairy’s right. Start charging by the pound. I guess you might lose money on really skinny people…but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem in America or Canada.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

Jokes aside, what is next. Extra tall people pay more?
Do children pay reduced fares? If not, that is not fair, and it should negate for the obese people.

Seats are resources, Ellinas. There are only so many seats, and each seat is worth a certain amount of money to the airline.

If a kid uses a seat it’s the same as an adult using that seat. If a fat person uses two seats, it’s the same as two normal-sized people using those seats.

It’s not really so much the poundage that matters. It’s the volume. If one seat can accomodate you, great. If it can’t, well, tough. You get charged for the additional seat.

There’s nothing unfair about that.
WOOFX

Helluva chair.

Is it Canadian?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

I’ve tried to lose weight and nothing has ever really worked for me

By Rob on November 20, 2008 at 05:38 pm

Don’t want to have to buy a first class ticket, or buy two coach seats, because you’re so fat? Lose some weight.

By Rob on November 20, 2008 at 05:38 pm

Ellinas, my weight shouldn’t be your problem. Or the airline’s problem. It doesn’t matter whether my dieting has worked or not.

I mean, do you even know why it hasn’t worked for me? I can tell you. It’s because I’m not very good at sticking to a diet or exercise plan.

You think that should entitle me to a free extra seat no the plane? Thus making your ticket more expensive?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

As for children they should pay a reduced rate.

No,they shoudln’t. They use a full seat, they use the full price.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

Awesome…and you know that the airlines will pass the cost on to the rest of us.

Sure. Just like insurance companies pass on the expense of covering government insurance mandates like hair prosthesis, drug treatment and acupuncture to the vast majority of us who have no need or desire for such things.
WOOFX

don’t kids use a full seat?

make sure they have plenty of water.

SayAnythingBlog.com

Canadian Supreme Court: Fatties Have A Right To Get Two Airline Seats For The Price Of One

Create a SAB Readerblog

Recent Comments