The ****tiest part of all this is that, unless things have changed since my airline days, fat people don't get to earn frequent flyer mileage for that second seat. So it literally takes them twice as long to earn a free trip.

The United seats do earn miles (I thought, I know it does for others), they just don't count towards status.

As I said I don't have a problem with it, but the logistical difficulties are obvious. They can tell you to do it ahead and refund the extra ticket if the plane isn't full, but taking payment once on the plane is going to be difficult.

I'd also be concerned about differences between seats on different planes. Options are provided for point of departure but if changing planes halfway could result in going from a barely fit seat to a not-fit seat then the "just get off" option isn't so acceptable any more.

Also, especially in oversell situations, they can't guarantee side-by-side seating

Nope, and also if they have to change planes and reseat everybody.

Or if you're flying with your child and the plane isn't full but there aren't three consecutive seats so that you can still be seated with your child.

But the other airlines have been dealing with this for a while now so I'm guessing there's a fair amount of discretion available to the gate and flight crews.

I'm all for it.

I do think they need to ensure that the two seats are next to each other and wave the 'assigned seating' fee for those who have to purchase two seats.

My objection is that they require me to purchase two seats, but not the guy whose shoulders are so broad that they have me smashed against the window. (And who then sits with his legs spread, occupying both arm rests and all available legroom - and is reading the newspaper.) The policy is only applied toward people who are large in an "unsightly" fashion. Those who inconvenience other passengers just as much -- but are large in the approved fashion -- aren't charged the extra fees.

I really have no idea how my work is going to handle this. I'm supposed to fly to DC next month and the contract fare is with United. Will I be expected to pay the second fare out of pocket? I'm actually considering cancelling the trip entirely, and it was the one training I was actually looking forward to.

Pru: I believe not. Sohrshah just flew United and said that their seats have more room than most.

No, it takes them same amount of time. It just costs them twice as much.

That is true. iSm doesn't have to pay for a second seat for his Alarming Package ™

True, but that usually doesn't affect the person next to me (unless they want to Mile Hyatt).

But that's some good lawyering, there, Pru. I'd like to see that case in Court. Very serious discrimination claim if you go after next-seat intruders who intrude upon the seat, but not the ones who intrude upon the seatback.


In any event, I believe you are purchasing "passage" on any vessel, not a specific method of berthing. (Though of course, there's more fare for first class than steerage). I think they should consider it passage, not seating, and simply charge fare by weight - - which makes sense when you have to get all that weight to defy gravity. And then the discrimination between "unsightly" bigness and "approved" bigness would not come into play.


But an extra charge for the alarming package might. ;)

If someone has their long arms and legs in your way, you can ask him to move them away from you. Not so with a very overweight person.

I guess "broad shoulders" could be a problem, though I think they'd have to be abnormally large for it to really intrude upon the neighboring seat. Like, Mr. Universe or something.