Too Fat To Fly
Kevin Smith would be proud: as someone who has had a hefty passenger beside me, I vote that they should have to pay for 2 seats.. or the portion they take from me.
Obese travelers to sue Air Canada over extra fees
OTTAWA — 2011 AFP - 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.
photo credit: One From RM
December 12th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
When everyone has to pay extra for excess baggage, there is no reason that anyone requiring two seats should have to pay for the extra seat. Disability, my behind!
December 12th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Gee, I just read my post. I meant to write that there is no reason that anyone requiring two seats should not have to pay for the extra seat. Sorry.
December 12th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Yes sir, our airline WILl WAIVE the extra seat fee and you will only pay for a single seat, however we will seat you across the aisle from two obnoxious 12 year old girls who will ridicule you throughout the entire flight.
December 12th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking thank you for boarding flight 172 to Vancouver. We will be arriving at about 3:30 pm that is is we can take off given the weight of that fat cocksucker in seats 34 and 35.
December 12th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
This is a bullshit case. the airlines charge you for the seat, customers pay a price for the seat not for the person traveling. If your so fat you need two seats, you pay for two seats. And there are options…. start walking and maybe you would only need one seat for the trip home.
December 13th, 2011 at 4:46 am
A “fair” system would be to set ticket prices by weigth of the person. A 100lb person would pay 1/3 the price of a 300lb person. Plug a usb scale in to the compter when you buy teh ticket?
December 13th, 2011 at 6:54 am
you need two seats you pay for two seats. you make yourself fat no one else does it for you.
December 13th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Lawyers and Judges love to talk about items that will “bring the law into disrepute”.
This is one of those times. This assault on the “law” appears absurd and bizarre,and one has the feeling the only winners will be the lawyers.
If a person requires two seats,he should pay for them,period.
Bloody stupidity.
December 13th, 2011 at 10:04 am
Who the hell impaled my armrest? And why the heck won’t my seat recline?
December 16th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I guess you read the piece about the fat passenger forcing another one to stand through most of a US Airways flight:http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/23/8980390-flier-displaced-by-obese-seatmate-forced-to-stand
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