Not Big in Japan, but everywhere else

[2triky]

Passenger creates big debate at American - I mean big!
By Kieran Daly

on November 18, 2009

This is sent to me with the absolute assurance that it's a genuine picture taken by a flight attendant at American Airlines. The F/A took it to show her manager what was happening on the aircraft (757???) and why she was unhappy about it. Seems the guy paid for only one seat and the gate staff let him board.

You can see the F/A's point of view - how the heck is s(he) supposed to deal with it. Sympathise with the guy or not, he's a major safety hazard in an evacuation, a gross inconvenience for the cabin crew, and I would suggest a totally unacceptable travelling companion for the guy next to him.

I don't know what the actual outcome was but it seems unimaginable that he was allowed to fly in the end. Not that anything on a commercial airline is actually unimaginable, but close anyway.

A good friend of mine had a similar experience sitting next to a guy who was big but I don't think as big as this, for a long-haul flight and was effectively injured by sitting for several hours in a contorted position with his fellow pax half on top of him. The airline that did that to him was utterly unsympathetic throughout a lengthy correspondence afterwards. OK, Emirates since you ask. Ironically my chum is now in a senior position with another carrier.

Anyone know how how the American affair turned out?

http://www.flightglobal.com

[Cortana]

Word is, the man he was sitting next to was offered cash + large compensation to take a bump and get the next flight instead. The flight shown was fully booked and the large gentleman took two seats without extra charge.

[2triky]

Word is, the man he was sitting next to was offered cash + large compensation to take a bump and get the next flight instead. The flight shown was fully booked and the large gentleman took two seats without extra charge.

Indeed, no dispute. You are right, as far as I've heard/read.

The question still remains why American Airlines employees didn't address the (potential) issue prior to allowing the large gentleman on the aircraft.

[sublight]

Discussions I've read say it looks like the big guy and the guy next to him were flying together (they look like they might be talking in the photo), and that he did in fact buy two seats (the two right behind him are empty). He was sitting there to talk, not for the whole flight.

[2triky]

Discussions I've read say it looks like the big guy and the guy next to him were flying together (they look like they might be talking in the photo), and that he did in fact buy two seats (the two right behind him are empty). He was sitting there to talk, not for the whole flight.

If that's the case, then the whole incident seems like a non-event despite the rotundity of the guy in question.

[Kanchou]

We should bring back passenger sealiners and make the fatties ride them. It's the only way to move someone that heavy in an economical fashion. I mean, they move around slower anyway so it makes sense that it should take them longer to get across an ocean.

It's not just about the number of seats that a morbidly obese passenger takes up, it's the fact that if someone weighs twice as much as another passenger it takes 100% more fuel to move them, and fuel is the vast majority of the cost of a flight.

[sublight]

If that's the case, then the whole incident seems like a non-event despite the rotundity of the guy in question.

Of course, I have as much evidence for that as for the outrage arguments. It seems more likely, though.

[Iraira]

It's not just about the number of seats that a morbidly obese passenger takes up, it's the fact that if someone weighs twice as much as another passenger it takes 100% more fuel to move them, and fuel is the vast majority of the cost of a flight.

There was a feature in an old Mad Magazine (maybe 30; years ago), that airlines could save money by going no-frills and charging the passengers based on their weight. Since Mad is a reputable source, there are grounds for starting a grass-roots movement to charge the hefties more. And anorexics would practically fly for free.

[Kanchou]

The problem with very thin people is that they mean the plane isn't carry it's max load... which cuts down on profits unless you fill that space up with extra baggage that you're charging for.

OTOH, it makes total sense to charge less for kids because they weigh less and parents are more willing to take them along if it costs less.

[Greji]

The question still remains why American Airlines employees didn't address the (potential) issue prior to allowing the large gentleman on the aircraft.

Easy answer Triky. Would you go up to that monster and say "Hey slick, you're a fat slob, so you gonna buy another seat, or you don't get on my Plane!"

Right, I ain't going to do it either and we would be in the same quiz category as the American Airlines employees.

That dude is so big if he swung at you and missed he could still break your nose and a couple of ribs... He sits where he wants....

[DrP]

Actually passengers only account for about 20% of the Max Takeoff Weight. And the average allotment is around 200lb per passenger - so 1 or 2 'fatties' won't sink the ship or cost any more to travel. Though I had a similiar situation when flying a red eye from Vegas to DC and low and behold, 'my seat' was between 2 very obese eldery women returning from their Slot weekend. The FA kindly asked me to take a seat and buckle up for take off. I said that it was physically impossible to do so. She really got rude and threatened to kick me off if I didnt comlpy. The 2 cows , er gals, managed to make enough room I could pull the belt up and buckle into kind of a half sitting position with each my legs resting on theirs (I will vomit if I describe more). We took off - and as soon as I could released myself from the lipid bonds. One of the women actually had the audacity to say to me - and I quote - "It looks like we'll be best friends on this flight, honey" . ARRRGHHHH!! I spent the rest of the flight either reading a paper in the loo or hanging out with the FA'S in the stern staff section. They were at least kind enough to give me portage in the jumpseat for landing. So much for getting any shuteye though... Given the state of obesity in the US, they should upsell premium seats that are made for the 'big and tall'. For everyone else - just make sure that middle seat is left open!

[Iraira]

Ahhhh...memories....A flight from Seattle to OC on Alaskan Airlines. Huge dude in the middle seat, his side flab spilling over on both sides, forcing me to hang halfway out into the aisle. Waitress scolded me several times for blocking the aisle, but sitting upright was completely impossible. When the waitress came by with the complimentary snacks, Mr. Blubber had the gall to ask for 3-4 bags of peanuts.
That flight was only about 3 hours and I know that air rage and premeditated murder and dismemberment would have been committed on my part had it been a long haul flight. Sea Shepherd would have gotten all on my case for harpooning that motherfucker.
Still po'ed.

[2triky]

Easy answer Triky. Would you go up to that monster and say "Hey slick, you're a fat slob, so you gonna buy another seat, or you don't get on my Plane!"

Right, I ain't going to do it either and we would be in the same quiz category as the American Airlines employees.

That dude is so big if he swung at you and missed he could still break your nose and a couple of ribs... He sits where he wants....

Or he could eat you as an amuse bouche to get his appetite going.