I was just thinking about this the other day. It seems that the justification for charging extra to overweight passengers is that their encroachment on others' seats inconveniences and causes discomfort to other passengers.

If so, then why are lap children allowed to fly for free, and younger children allowed to fly for half price? We have all had our flight's enjoyment impaired by screaming children who caterwaul throughout most of the flight. Southwest charges double to "POS" and then refunds if the flight is not full. Perhaps airlines should charge double for children under 4, and one and a half for children between 4 and 10. Then, if they don't scream during the flight, the money can be refunded.

Or otherwise, it might be better to recognize that we all live in a communal environment, and we need to put up with a little discomfort in order to function within society. In which case, neither overweight people nor people with children should be charged extra.

Here we go again...

IBTL / IBTM

I worry less about young children in an unfamiliar environment being stressed and crying than I do about adults that feel entitled to sit halfway into my seat because they can't fit into their own seat. I think that everyone should realize that we live in a communal world where adults and children are allowed to travel in common carriers. A grossly obese person cannot fit into a single seat. A small child cries out of distress. Not the same thing. Of course your discription of them makes your position very clear.

SAY WHAT!

Yes, this is a perpetual theme.
Adults acquire a ticket, select their seats--and imagine a perfect flight, peace and quiet and are delusional to imagine delicious food, comfort, service, and silence.
Then the babies start screaming.

I recognize that I live in a communal enviroment, I also recognize that I paid for a specific 'allotment' of space whether that be in coach/business or F, if someone else wants to invade that space then we have a problem. As for the screaming baby, I will use my ear buds. What do you propose that I use to contain the POS on their side of the arm rest?

A hedgetrimmer?

Actually I was thinking of a tazer but I would have trouble getting that through security

*yawn* Please just ban these threads.

Not all lap kids cry. Mine doesn't. I've had compliments. Besides, crying is just as annoying as someone who reclines right in front of me. Or having no food anymore. Or angry FA's.

Annoying, but you can do stuff. Wear noise cancelling headphones. Bring food onboard. Ignore the FA's.

Someone taking up half your seat isn't something you can do to ignore. You can't draw a line like you can with the others. Not all kids cry. Not all FA's are angry a-holes taking it out on passengers. Encroaching is encroaching.

The screaming brat problem is different. The fat pas problem is actually solved by providing an extra seat for which the pas must pay. The screaming child problem wouldn't be solved because just the fact that they have to pay doesn't stop them from screaming.

So one is a solution to a problem and the other would be a fine for screaming kids, which is not ok, as much as I loathe screaming kids.

But it would be nice if FA had an abundant supply of ear plugs on hand. Perhaps they do. I always bring my own.

Till

Time to lock this one up.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator