[Shardlake]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I'm actually curious :S

Evidently, the first thing that came up when I goggled to find out more about this, as i didnt know this was illegal...was this story http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news...d-off-jet.html.

So how come that airline isnt being prosecuted? :/

First off thats the NOTW so they sensationalise it

Second of all they made efforts to accommodate him by offering him two seats, they fulfilled their obligation. It is not their fault he turned it down.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shardlake

First off thats the NOTW so they sensationalise it

Second of all they made efforts to accommodate him by offering him two seats, they fulfilled their obligation. It is not their fault he turned it down.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/15022010/...fat-fly-0.html well theres another then, not from NOTW.

Surely it is classed as discrimination to say someone who is too fat has to pay for two seats?

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/15022010/...fat-fly-0.html well theres another then, not from NOTW.

Surely it is classed as discrimination to say someone who is too fat has to pay for two seats?

Nope its been to court under consumer regulations and also business practices. It is fair and reasonable for an obese person to be expected to reimburse the travel operator for two seats if they require two seats to accomodate them safely.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Nope its been to court under consumer regulations and also business practices. It is fair and reasonable for an obese person to be expected to reimburse the travel operator for two seats if they require two seats to accomodate them safely.

if they are even fatter, and require a half a row row (it does happen) do they have to pay for all the seats? or are they just not allowed to fly?

I didnt even know about any of this

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

if they are even fatter, and require a half a row row (it does happen) do they have to pay for all the seats? or are they just not allowed to fly?

I didnt even know about any of this

Thats never been tested in UK courts but the natural extension of the decision is, if you require more than the average person you pay for what you use.

An example would be a person hospitalised and bed ridden, on being transferred by air, the health insurance of the invalid would pay for however many seat spaces they require for safe transport. Or the full costs of a small charter aircraft if the person needed to be transported that way.

The assumption of the passenger that the airline must carry them if they purchase a single seat is incorrect. The airline may do so out of goodwill, however if the person fails to declare any special requirements at the time of booking, that in itself is sufficient to invalidate any contract.

[stonedape]

Fat-hate is somewhere in between "racism/homophobia" and totally valid, but it's impossible to tell who has a genetic condition or predisposition and who's just lazy. So I just wouldn't say ****.

As for seats on planes, obese folks unfortunately have a practical problem race or sexuality doesn't bring: physical size. Cry discrimination all day long, if they can't fit in one seat they can't fit in one seat. You're paying for square footage, you're paying for the weight of your luggage and yourself in the air. In addition, everyone else on the flight paid for a full seat and one unlucky person doesn't deserve 1/2 a seat or less because the bigger person doesn't want to pay more or have their feelings hurt.

It sucks, but it's a totally unavoidable practicality.

[Shardlake]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/15022010/...fat-fly-0.html well theres another then, not from NOTW.

Surely it is classed as discrimination to say someone who is too fat has to pay for two seats?

Anyone can ring up and book a seat on a plane it is the person booking the ticket's responsibility to inform the agent of any special circumstances, it's illegal for them to ask.

A perfectly normal sounding man could ring and book a seat on a plane then turn up on the day of the flight in a wheelchair.. no special arrangements would have been made and that person will not be able to fly.

If you phone up and say can I book a seat on a plane to Corfu please, however I am morbidly obese, i'm in a wheelchair, I cant walk very far, I have to be near a toilet they HAVE to accomodate you.

The man in the first story clearly didnt inform them or point out that it would be a problem. They wouldnt have pointed it out to him as they would have been breaking the law. In that case they only told him when he was on the plane and it was plainly obvious that him being there was causing safety issues for him and other passengers.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shardlake

The man in the first story clearly didnt inform them or point out that it would be a problem. They wouldnt have pointed it out to him as they would have been breaking the law. In that case they only told him when he was on the plane and it was plainly obvious that him being there was causing safety issues for him and other passengers.

But then surely...the example you gave before about someone going to book a flight and the operators not being able to tell them they are too fat(obviously in nicer words though)...is silly then?

Surely it would be so much easier all round if it was pointed out at the time of booking(if possible) so that this could be avoided :S

[Shardlake]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

But then surely...the example you gave before about someone going to book a flight and the operators not being able to tell them they are too fat(obviously in nicer words though)...is silly then?

They only pointed it out to him when they had no other choice and his size was a potential safety hazard to other people who they are obligated to. He is at fault for not pointing out the special circumstances beforehand.

If you are in a wheelchair, book a regular seat on a plane, turn up on the day you cannot moan or complain when you are told you cant fly because you should have told them when booking.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shardlake

They only pointed it out to him when they had no other choice and his size was a potential safety hazard to other people who they are obligated to. He is at fault for not pointing out the special circumstances beforehand.

If you are in a wheelchair, book a regular seat on a plane, turn up on the day you cannot moan or complain when you are told you cant fly because you should have told them when booking.

Hmm yeah I guess.

Anyways, you learn something new everyday...thats turning out to be true

[Shardlake]

as a side note this has been a very interesting thread and i've only seen the first 20 mins of the HL show through the corner of my eye.

Nikki getting electrocuted though was hilarious.

As you were..