Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that you can expect airlines, buses, amusement parks, clothing, car and bike manufacturers, etc to accommodate the extreme. In fact, I wouldn't want to drive a car that was designed to be driven by a 450 pound person.

I'm not skinny. In fact, there are chairs out there that I can't sit on for fear of breaking them (150 pound limit). There are clothing brands that I can't fit into (size 14+). There are bicycles that are designed for lighter weight people than me that I can't ride (again 150 pound limit). And I'm not huge although I could afford to lose some weight.

People way outside the norm are going to have less options and they are going to pay more for the options they do have.
They will special order clothes, they will have to buy bigger more expensive vehicles because they can't fit into a regular size car, they will pay more for sturdy furniture that won't break under their weight, they will pay more for food if they intend to maintain their weights (or gain even more weight). A standard airline seat is not designed for them. If they want to fly they'll need to buy 2 or 3 seats.

but you saw the earlier comments from posters who said that when people buy the extra seat for space - the airline sometimes takes it away (with refund) because they overbooked the flight. so not sure what the answer is

If the airlines are taking those extra seats away then it is up to the airline to handle it. The obese passenger has done their part. Honestly, I would just book first class.

Jeff needs to delete this thread

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

It means that the airlines have been given free reign to run amok with our comfort and dignity. There is zero meaningful oversight of the airline industry when it comes to respecting passengers' dignity and comfort, all so airlines can make even more profit. The FAA refuses to wade into the seat size issues, because it's been captured by airline industry lobbyists.

Meanwhile, airline passengers are just mimicking the role models they see in politics and corporations: game the system to get whatever you can, consequences to others be damned.

This episode on the United flight is simply an allegory of the degeneracy inherit under the current state of American capitalism. When do we hit rock bottom?

Obviously the airlines wants to maximize profits. That also means avoiding lawsuits - which would absolutely come about if they addressed this issue on the basis of weight. If they charged more for overweight people, they'd get sued. If they charged more for everyone and made larger seats, non-overweight people would be pissed because they're punishing everyone. It's a lose lose for them to do a damn thing, regulation or not.

^And FWIW I've known morbidly obese people who need to buy two seats when they fly. I've never heard one once complain about doing it, either.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that you can expect airlines, buses, amusement parks, clothing, car and bike manufacturers, etc to accommodate the extreme. In fact, I wouldn't want to drive a car that was designed to be driven by a 450 pound person.

I'm not skinny. In fact, there are chairs out there that I can't sit on for fear of breaking them (150 pound limit). There are clothing brands that I can't fit into (size 14+). There are bicycles that are designed for lighter weight people than me that I can't ride (again 150 pound limit). And I'm not huge although I could afford to lose some weight.

People way outside the norm are going to have less options and they are going to pay more for the options they do have.
They will special order clothes, they will have to buy bigger more expensive vehicles because they can't fit into a regular size car, they will pay more for sturdy furniture that won't break under their weight, they will pay more for food if they intend to maintain their weights (or gain even more weight). A standard airline seat is not designed for them. If they want to fly they'll need to buy 2 or 3 seats.

but you saw the earlier comments from posters who said that when people buy the extra seat for space - the airline sometimes takes it away (with refund) because they overbooked the flight. so not sure what the answer is

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

It means that the airlines have been given free reign to run amok with our comfort and dignity. There is zero meaningful oversight of the airline industry when it comes to respecting passengers' dignity and comfort, all so airlines can make even more profit. The FAA refuses to wade into the seat size issues, because it's been captured by airline industry lobbyists.

Meanwhile, airline passengers are just mimicking the role models they see in politics and corporations: game the system to get whatever you can, consequences to others be damned.

This episode on the United flight is simply an allegory of the degeneracy inherit under the current state of American capitalism. When do we hit rock bottom?

You would seriously approve of the airlines doubling the size of their seats and doubling their fares in order to spare the feelings of people who can not fit into a standard seat? Even if they do that there is going to be a passenger who can't fit into the double sized seat. Where does it end?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

It's going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. And, frankly, the wealthy elite who run the politics and companies in our country are some of the most selfish pigs of all. They are teaching their offspring that getting the most for themselves is all that matters. It will literally take a revolution to knock any sense into them.

Socialism is definitely the answer. Let Venezuela be your shining example!

Bullsh#t. It's not an either/or proposition. The answer is not Venezuelan socialism. The answer is for the FAA to regulate a seat width and pitch that fits normal people. The airlines are bad actors and won't regulate themselves. The answer is also for the FAA to draft uniform and consistent rules on how to treat oversized passengers who don't fit into the normal seats. Maybe that is having one or larger seats on each plane that are more affordable than business class and can ONLY be used by large passengers.

The airlines won't do ANYTHING that impedes their profits. They expect passengers to absorb the negative externalities of their ever-decreasing seats. That's horsesh#t and is exactly why government exists: to solve market failures.

In an ideal world, this would work. But (see above examples of the snowflakes that insist on buying the outer 2 of 3 seats) there are entitled, bitter, immature people who think it is their full time job and purpose in this world to find loopholes, and it ruins it for everyone. It would suck to have that be your only talent in life, but unfortunately, that is how it is. This whole thread is a perfect example of what happens when bad actors come into the picture. They can't afford first class, but somehow they are "so special" - in their mind, that is. And yes, they are absolutely as badly behaved as this video (both sides were wrong, but the couple knew what they are doing, and did it anyway, much like a child who did not get their toy) as they are on the plane. They are absolutely the ones who pass sh*t back and forth, and proudly act like the middle person should not be there. IRL, they haven't anything to be proud of at all (hence the attitude). There are enough readers here who can do something about it, thankfully.

I don't think that you can expect airlines, buses, amusement parks, clothing, car and bike manufacturers, etc to accommodate the extreme. In fact, I wouldn't want to drive a car that was designed to be driven by a 450 pound person.

I'm not skinny. In fact, there are chairs out there that I can't sit on for fear of breaking them (150 pound limit). There are clothing brands that I can't fit into (size 14+). There are bicycles that are designed for lighter weight people than me that I can't ride (again 150 pound limit). And I'm not huge although I could afford to lose some weight.

People way outside the norm are going to have less options and they are going to pay more for the options they do have.
They will special order clothes, they will have to buy bigger more expensive vehicles because they can't fit into a regular size car, they will pay more for sturdy furniture that won't break under their weight, they will pay more for food if they intend to maintain their weights (or gain even more weight). A standard airline seat is not designed for them. If they want to fly they'll need to buy 2 or 3 seats.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

It's going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. And, frankly, the wealthy elite who run the politics and companies in our country are some of the most selfish pigs of all. They are teaching their offspring that getting the most for themselves is all that matters. It will literally take a revolution to knock any sense into them.

Socialism is definitely the answer. Let Venezuela be your shining example!

Bullsh#t. It's not an either/or proposition. The answer is not Venezuelan socialism. The answer is for the FAA to regulate a seat width and pitch that fits normal people. The airlines are bad actors and won't regulate themselves. The answer is also for the FAA to draft uniform and consistent rules on how to treat oversized passengers who don't fit into the normal seats. Maybe that is having one or larger seats on each plane that are more affordable than business class and can ONLY be used by large passengers.

The airlines won't do ANYTHING that impedes their profits. They expect passengers to absorb the negative externalities of their ever-decreasing seats. That's horsesh#t and is exactly why government exists: to solve market failures.

It seems like an awful lot of entitled people are trying to "act wealthy" - like their crap doesn't stink. I blame reality television, for one. In a simpletons mind, you watch the Kardashians, you get to act like them. Hard to have any respect for people who fail to act like thy have parents. You don't come across as wealthy or accomplished when you act entitled - you come across as a bitter child who never got their toy. Not my problem.

Now, if you act like a decent human being, with manners, tact, humility and kindness, that is QUITE a different story.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

It's going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. And, frankly, the wealthy elite who run the politics and companies in our country are some of the most selfish pigs of all. They are teaching their offspring that getting the most for themselves is all that matters. It will literally take a revolution to knock any sense into them.

Socialism is definitely the answer. Let Venezuela be your shining example!

This thread is full of crazy people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

It means that the airlines have been given free reign to run amok with our comfort and dignity. There is zero meaningful oversight of the airline industry when it comes to respecting passengers' dignity and comfort, all so airlines can make even more profit. The FAA refuses to wade into the seat size issues, because it's been captured by airline industry lobbyists.

Meanwhile, airline passengers are just mimicking the role models they see in politics and corporations: game the system to get whatever you can, consequences to others be damned.

This episode on the United flight is simply an allegory of the degeneracy inherit under the current state of American capitalism. When do we hit rock bottom?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obnoxious is the new black. Everybody is treating everybody else badly and now it's on film. And these discussions devolve into who was the most obnoxious instead of why are we all treating each other this way. How about some love and mutual respect ???????

Because capitalism doesn't care about being nice, showing love, or respect. This is what you get when conservative's Ayn Rand'ian fantasies become true. All that matters is more profit and putting your desires above other's comfort.

This is why our society is devolving into a hot mess: no one is willing to put meaningful oversight on capitalism.

This is the best and most accurate comment on this entire thread. $$$$$ is worth more than anything else and basically any behavior is valid as long as you paid for it or someone is profiting from it.

Human dignity has a price tag, I hope the US comes around to being willing to pay for that.

It's going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. And, frankly, the wealthy elite who run the politics and companies in our country are some of the most selfish pigs of all. They are teaching their offspring that getting the most for themselves is all that matters. It will literally take a revolution to knock any sense into them.