Too fat to fly?

[darkevil]

A judge has authorized a class action lawsuit against Air Canada on behalf of obese travelers forced to pay for an extra seat, a law firm announced Monday.

BGA Barristers & Solicitors LLP said in a statement the lawsuit aims to reclaim fees the airlines charged clinically obese passengers for a second seat before Canada's transportation watchdog banned the practice in 2008.

A similar suit targeting its rival WestJet is also reportedly planned. So far no numbers of possible clients have been released, but according to court documents the suit could involve a multi-million dollar claim.

Following complaints, the Canadian Transportation Agency in 2008 ruled the two carriers had breached Canadian case law by charging obese and other disabled passengers accompanied by an attendant for two seats.

It cited a Federal Court of Appeal decision that found "a person who is obese may be (considered) disabled for purposes of air travel if unable to fit in an airline seat."

The class action lawsuit covers fees paid to Air Canada between December 5, 2005 and December 5, 2008, as well as damages.

http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/768827.html

Not easy travelling long haul...sitting next to a overweight...or clinically obese person.
But should they be penalized for been fat?
I dont think so.

[unskinnybob]

Penalty YES. Sitting next to Jabba the Hutt is no fun for anyone. Getting sweat on and having to sacrifice ANY armrest space so the airline can stuff a whale into a tuna can is not acceptable.

[alf101]

Penalty YES. Sitting next to Jabba the Hutt is no fun for anyone. Getting sweat on and having to sacrifice ANY armrest space so the airline can stuff a whale into a tuna can is not acceptable.

true.
I'm not sure which is worse, fat-fsck or crybaby spoilt brat.
Sometimes you get the all in one version.

[Mila]

Penalized. That is no penalty. If the fat Fsk can have two seats why can I not also have a huge comfy space to sit in during a long flight.

Make them pay more.

[eltherza]

Right of admission reserved.

Just don't sell tickets to them in my opinion.

[xeslaro]

Penalty YES. Sitting next to Jabba the Hutt is no fun for anyone. Getting sweat on and having to sacrifice ANY armrest space so the airline can stuff a whale into a tuna can is not acceptable.

My first chuckle of the day, shot bro

[Cyberdude]

Let them buy the first class seats then, there will be enough space in one chair.

[Budza]

Being a porker is one thing, but so fat you can't fit in a seat =

Make them pay twice. Then they can get two meals too...

[The_Librarian]

Penalized. That is no penalty. If the fat Fsk can have two seats why can I not also have a huge comfy space to sit in during a long flight.

Make them pay more.

Agreed.

If I have to sit next to a fatboy whose fat keeps overflowing into my space, then I'm gonna take a Bic pen (or any ballpoint pen) and jab at the fat rolls until it get the message that my space is mine.

[xumwun]

Sounds like some people really need to get over themselves.
Of course they should pay for an extra seat if they need one.
That extra seat costs money and someone has to pay for it, why should the rest of the passengers have to pay for it.

[Celine]

ok i think some of you need to be a bit more sensitive to this issue. some people have problems with this ok. it's not like people want to be obese. yes there are people who over eat and those need to get a wake up call and they can certainly do something about it i.e. diet and stop eating take outs etc. but there are those with medical problems who really can't help it at all. so stop being the school yard bullies. be careful what you say be in on a forum or in real life. it's hurtful.

[VioAdmin]

If you are too fat and you cover more than 1 seat? Yes, you need to pay for how many seats you are taking up. Unless of course you are also mentally handicapped but if you are just obese, too bad, pay the extra fair.

I can't believe people have to go to court to validate common sense.

[TJ99]

Penalty YES. Sitting next to Jabba the Hutt is no fun for anyone. Getting sweat on and having to sacrifice ANY armrest space so the airline can stuff a whale into a tuna can is not acceptable.

LOL, that's funny coming from someone called unskinnybob.

That's just it, it's actually the airlines' fault for making seats so ridiculously tiny (tuna cans) in the first place. But I suppose all you lot will also say I also need to pay more because I'm a "tall ****" so it's my fault there's no leg room.

That being said, if someone really is so fat that they actually need 2 seats, they should pay for them, especially in the US and Canada where it's so cheap to fly.

[alf101]

ok i think some of you need to be a bit more sensitive to this issue. some people have problems with this ok. it's not like people want to be obese. yes there are people who over eat and those need to get a wake up call and they can certainly do something about it i.e. diet and stop eating take outs etc. but there are those with medical problems who really can't help it at all. so stop being the school yard bullies. be careful what you say be in on a forum or in real life. it's hurtful.

I think the obese people need to be more sensitive to people.

As mentioned so eloquently above, why must thinner people put up with Jabba the Hutt when they are paying a fortune for their tickets?

[boramk]

Its simple guys, if you cause discomfort for others, you gotta pay!