Pay by the pound?

This story was on our local news last night, and I wanted to get others opinions. I personally think it is discrimination, and the fact that it's even being considered is apalling. What do you think?

Will Airlines Treat People Like Luggage?

LOS ANGELES (MyFoxNational) -- Could we be headed toward a day when the price of an airline ticket is determined by your weight? The idea may not be that far-fetched.

Airlines already charge for heavy baggage because of the extra fuel needed to transport the weight of luggage. So it's only natural that the weight of passengers would also factor into the cost of flights.

The skyrocketing price of fuel has forced airlines to cut costs and raise revenue any way they can. US Airways has eliminated snacks, Delta is charging $25 to make reservations over the phone, and last month American began charging $15 for one checked bag.

Desperate times call for desperate measures and the airlines are at the point where they will consider anything. Southwest already asks passengers to buy a second seat if their girth prevents the armrest from lowering.

So how would you feel if you were treated like air freight? Would you object if there were two scales at the ticket counter – one for your bags and one for you?

http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=149616982C9EEADDECE48684F59E12CF?contentId=6700519&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

it makes sense to me actually....thats probably bad of me to say...

This was posted yesterday but I think that if the airlines are trying to save money by doing this they are in for a treat because there will be so many lawsuits stemming from it. I think it is ridiculous I would rather pay a little more for my ticket than know someone else is going through embarrassment.

Quoting Monica♥sMcKenzie:“ This was posted yesterday but I think that if the airlines are trying to save money by doing this they ... [snip!] ... I think it is ridiculous I would rather pay a little more for my ticket than know someone else is going through embarrassment.”

Oops! I wasn't on a lot yesterday so I didn't see it. Do you have the link that thread? I'm gonna go look for it.

if they continue with over charging on everything, bags, now US, and with gas prices so expensive travelling is jsut going to end. no one is going to be able to afford to go anywheres.
i think weighingus to dertermine i ticket price is pretty discrimatory. and i cant see them going through with it.

I saw something similar where airlines were going to take the divider out of some seats and make them for obese passegers. The passengers would then be required to sit in these seats if they were over a certain amount of weight and pay the higher price for the seat. I personally think it's discrimination. I mean they are required by law to provide for handicapped people, so why would they single out other people with needs?! I might also be a little biased. My mom is obese and I've never seen her weigh less than about 250. I know it would break her heart and completely shame her if she had to buy a 'fat person' ticket in order to fly. And I do think a lot of law suits would arise from it, meaning they wouldn't save any money over all anyways.

It honestly makes sense. However I would never ever fly if this is the way it was done. I do not even like being weighed at the Drs let alone some airline employee weighing me. I understand the extra seat if the armrest cannot be lowered since that would mean that you take up two seats. But I will not be weighed.

It is discrimination in a sense, howeverI do think it should bedone. I also think they should make the seats bigger that way a small person is stuck next to a large person spilling out over into thier "personal bubble". That is uncomfortable for both people invloved.

I think its sad that so many Americans are overweight and obese that they have to start resorting to such things as this.

It makes sense, I wouldn't like it though.

Quoting usmcbaby!*1daytilbaby*:“ I think its sad that so many Americans are overweight and obese that they have to start resorting to such things as this. It makes sense, I wouldn't like it though.”

That is not why they are wanting to charge by the pound. It is the raising price of fuel. The raising price of fuel is cutting to their profits. I still do not think that it is right. A woman like myself who is 5'11" could weigh 170 and that is considered still to be a healthy weight (according to the chart on my Drs wall) why should I be charged more than a woman that is 5'2" and also weighs a healthy weight of 120? I cannot help that I am taller and need to weigh more to be healthy. I do not take up any extra room, I fit more than comfortably in my seat as does the girl next to me. Why do I need to pay more? If anything I think the seat idea makes more sense and is less humiliating.

I also think it would be bad because it may encourage people to become underweight just to save some money.

whatabout the people that arent obese, but are very tall,so are naturallyheavier? howis that fair for them either. i dontsee how a the weight of everyone can change things so drastically.
if they need moremoney, then up the prices of the plane ticket in general. no need to sit there and humiliate everyone by weighing us. im a small person-112prepregnancy weight, so i dont imagine id have much to worry about, but it still seems so very unfair for the general public-obese or not.
i refuse to do it. i willnot fly if the airlines resort to this.

Quoting Mrs. C:“ That is not why they are wanting to charge by the pound. It is the raising price of fuel. The raising ... [snip!] ... less humiliating. I also think it would be bad because it may encourage people to become underweight just to save some money.”

Oh no, lol. I was talking mostly about the removing the arm rests or charging for 2 seats. Sorry I should have made that clear.

I don't think weighing people will happen though, way too many pissed off people.

Quoting usmcbaby!*1daytilbaby*:“ Oh no, lol. I was talking mostly about the removing the arm rests or charging for 2 seats. Sorry I should ... [snip!] ... seats. Sorry I should have made that clear. I don't think weighing people will happen though, way too many pissed off people.”

I agree, I think they will just end up raising prices. Fat people can be mean! I should know, I am one of them.

Quoting Mrs. C:“ I agree, I think they will just end up raising prices. Fat people can be mean! I should know, I am one of them.”

lol

Quoting Mrs. C:“ That is not why they are wanting to charge by the pound. It is the raising price of fuel. The raising ... [snip!] ... less humiliating. I also think it would be bad because it may encourage people to become underweight just to save some money.”

You make a great point. I am also wondering, though, how they would legally get away with it. There was legislation proposed in Mississippi a couple of months ago regarding refusing service to obese people at fast food restaurants. I agree that obesity is a problem in our country, as is the rising cost of fuel, but is targeting people who are overweight going to solve either problem? No, instead it will most certainly cause a rise in lawsuits which also negatively effect our economy. I don't see how in the world it would be a good "solution."