MR

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That's just ridiculous If that plane had a rough landing he could become a projectile and kill someone! They should not have let him board a plane unless they knew he had 2 seats to fit into. And large people know they are too large when they board but they still try to get away with it. I don't get it. For their own comfort you'd think they'd work it out ahead. I know paying double fare could be a hardship but maybe the airlines shouldn't make them pay full fare for the second seat. It's not like everyone on the plane paid equal fares for those seats anyway.

The airlines could at least make sure they are on a flight that has spare capacity and
let them have an extra seat. Every flight I have ever been on has a vacant
seat or two...except the flights to Vegas!!

I spoke with someone who knows the flight attendant that took this picture. There was one empty seat in that row, and with two seat belt extensions, the big guy eventually occupied two seats as the smaller guy sat in the window seat. This picture was taken at boarding time.

I'm really torn on this debate. While I hate the current wave of the political powers-that-be are going to tell you not to smoke, drink, drink pop, eat chips, eat this, eat that and all that, ridiculously fat people like this truly are a problem in these kinds of situations...

Hilarious pic

Rick wrote:I spoke with someone who knows the flight attendant that took this picture. There was one empty seat in that row, and with two seat belt extensions, the big guy eventually occupied two seats as the smaller guy sat in the window seat. This picture was taken at boarding time.

That guy is tall to begin with, a lifetime of big macs have made him wide. He can't be less than 400lbs, maybe 500.

I don't think they should charge him more for a seat if there are empty seats but I do care where they seat him. I know nothing about aeronautics but it would seem that his being in a certain part of the plane (on one side or in the very back would affect the plane's stability). I guess it depends on the size of the plane though.

I know planes carry other planes and cars but I've read where weight distribution or too much weight has caused crashes.

Ehwmatt wrote:I'm really torn on this debate. While I hate the current wave of the political powers-that-be are going to tell you not to smoke, drink, drink pop, eat chips, eat this, eat that and all that, ridiculously fat people like this truly are a problem in these kinds of situations...

Hilarious pic

This really is a national problem. If you see clips of Americans in the 70s compared to today, its an amazing difference. The norm then was for thin, today well, you know.

StoneCold wrote:

Rick wrote:I spoke with someone who knows the flight attendant that took this picture. There was one empty seat in that row, and with two seat belt extensions, the big guy eventually occupied two seats as the smaller guy sat in the window seat. This picture was taken at boarding time.

That guy is tall to begin with, a lifetime of big macs have made him wide. He can't be less than 400lbs, maybe 500.

I don't think they should charge him more for a seat if there are empty seats but I do care where they seat him. I know nothing about aeronautics but it would seem that his being in a certain part of the plane (on one side or in the very back would affect the plane's stability). I guess it depends on the size of the plane though.

I know planes carry other planes and cars but I've read where weight distribution or too much weight has caused crashes.

Weight and balance is the airline business in a nutshell. Our smallest plane is the Super 80. It has a max take off weight of about 70 tons. The weight and balance of all of the planes is scrutinized down to 100 lbs. Meaning, that after the load report is filed, we can load 3 more 30 pound bags without having to reopen the load report.

With that being said, there is no consideration of a persons body weight, in relation to where they sit. Passengers are all based on an average body weight, and I'm not sure what that is, but I'd bet the number has grown since I've been there.

I know when I hired on, the average bag weight was 22.5 lbs. Now it's 35 lbs. The advent of wheels on luggage made it far easier for people to carry more things.

Rick wrote:I know when I hired on, the average bag weight was 22.5 lbs. Now it's 35 lbs.
The advent of wheels on luggage made it far easier for people to carry more things.

I think it may have something to do w/the fees per piece~no!?!

Michigan Girl wrote:The airlines could at least make sure they are on a flight that has spare capacity and
let them have an extra seat. Every flight I have ever been on has a vacant
seat or two...except the flights to Vegas!!

You've been very fortunate to not be on full flights. As a business traveler that lived in airplanes and hotels for 20 years, I can assure you there are plently full flights and they are miserable. On top of being cramped, the flights are usually late as we wait for everyone to get on board, store their dang carryons and for the airline to figure out bumping folks or taking volunteers.

It sucks big time when you see someone like that coming down the aisle. The tension it creates as they head your way is unbelievable...as is the relief when they keep going by.

I'm a wide body myself...6'3" 235 and it always seems they stick another big dude by me. The joys of travel.

Come on girls....
Isn't he HOT????

Here's the solution - make the fat fucker drive his car!

Michigan Girl wrote:

Rick wrote:I know when I hired on, the average bag weight was 22.5 lbs. Now it's 35 lbs.
The advent of wheels on luggage made it far easier for people to carry more things.

I think it may have something to do w/the fees per piece~no!?!

It didn't use to be, but they charge them now.

Rick wrote:

Michigan Girl wrote:

Rick wrote:I know when I hired on, the average bag weight was 22.5 lbs. Now it's 35 lbs.
The advent of wheels on luggage made it far easier for people to carry more things.

I think it may have something to do w/the fees per piece~no!?!

It didn't use to be, but they charge them now.

And the dang luggage is heavier to begin with...thanks to those same wheels.

maybe airlines could start charging based on passenger weight + luggage weight combined.

hoagiepete wrote:

Rick wrote:

Michigan Girl wrote:

Rick wrote:I know when I hired on, the average bag weight was 22.5 lbs. Now it's 35 lbs.
The advent of wheels on luggage made it far easier for people to carry more things.

I think it may have something to do w/the fees per piece~no!?!

It didn't use to be, but they charge them now.

And the dang luggage is heavier to begin with...thanks to those same wheels.

Yep. The average bag weight for South American countries is something like 55 lbs.

Rick wrote:Yep. The average bag weight for South American countries is something like 55 lbs.

average - so that means many are over that weight? yikes! i always think of you when i'm packing. i've got to be able to carry my own luggage up 2 flights of stairs, so my full 27" rarely goes over 40lbs.

cyndy! wrote:

Rick wrote:Yep. The average bag weight for South American countries is something like 55 lbs.

average - so that means many are over that weight? yikes! i always think of you when i'm packing. i've got to be able to carry my own luggage up 2 flights of stairs, so my full 27" rarely goes over 40lbs.

Yes me too you have to get the bag to the gate.....for some flights it can be considered a work out depending on how far you have to go with it...I travel for work a couple times a year and I tend to pack light!!

cyndy! wrote:

Rick wrote:Yep. The average bag weight for South American countries is something like 55 lbs.

average - so that means many are over that weight? yikes! i always think of you when i'm packing. i've got to be able to carry my own luggage up 2 flights of stairs, so my full 27" rarely goes over 40lbs.

Thanks for being considerate of us Cyndy. Our backs appreciate it.

To be honest though, I've been out there so long that I don't do much lifting anymore. Maybe if I work overtime. I do a lot of a/c security inspections now. Much easier, boring work, to be sure.

portland wrote:

cyndy! wrote:

Rick wrote:Yep. The average bag weight for South American countries is something like 55 lbs.

average - so that means many are over that weight? yikes! i always think of you when i'm packing. i've got to be able to carry my own luggage up 2 flights of stairs, so my full 27" rarely goes over 40lbs.

Yes me too you have to get the bag to the gate.....for some flights it can be considered a work out depending on how far you have to go with it...I travel for work a couple times a year and I tend to pack light!!

We appreciate you too!

When we went to Las Vegas to see the Journey show, for whatever reason, we decided to use carry-on luggage. Two duffel type bags. I carried them both, and it wasn't too bad at DFW, but the walk to the rental car stand at Las Vegas had to be a mile and a half. I thought my arms were going to detach from my body. They had to have weighed 40 lbs each. And our big roller bag is sitting in the closet at home.