I have to say I agree that this is not discrimination. They do this for the safety and comfort of all passengers involved, as well as in an attempt to make money. Is it offensive? Mildly, hurtful? Yes. But then, often the truth hurts. Airlines charge for an additional seat if you're bringing an infant on board now as well. When we flew with my daughter 11 years ago, this wasn't the case, as she could sit on my lap....now babies are required to be in a car seat on an airline. I have to pay extra for my 11 year old son to fly to California by himself, as he's not considered old enough to fly. I don't feel they are discriminating against my son or future baby because of age.
I remember I flew home from Vegas one time and the seat belt would not close. I spent the entire flight with my seatbelt undone and trying to hide the fact that I couldn't get it to latch. I was miserable and humiliated. For safety reasons alone, I should have had to pay for an extra seat.
It's sad that our world is seeing such a huge influx of morbid obesity. It makes me wonder, where did we go wrong? My husband and I were discussing this last night over dinner. While we did not have a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, I did make sure we had turkey and mashed potatoes and green beans. All healthy, all proportioned properly, etc. But while we were eating, I discribed to him the Thanksgiving dinners of my childhood.
My mom would make a 20+ pound turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and a minimum of 8 different kinds of pies. Pumpkin, mincemeat, pecan, apple, lemon, chocolate cream, banana cream, cherry....and the sad thing is we had them all. We would wake up the next day and have turkey and pie for breakfast. Then I told him about all the holiday baking that would begin after Thanksgiving...cookies, pies, candy, brownies, fudge. It's no wonder I grew up stuffing all kinds of sweets into my face.
I agree that genetics does help to play a part in obesity. However, out of my 2 sisters and I, one of us (not me) grew up thin, gained weight, lost weight, and generally has little struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My other sister and I have fought with the scale since high school. I fear daily that my own children will walk the same path I have.
Oh well, I've gone off on a tangent. Bottom line is, I don't feel this is discrimination.
Quote:
|
Also, they have those little sizer things to gauge carry on bags, couldn't they have an area of mock airline seats at the check in area (as in before going through security) where the person who checks your luggage can see if you purchased one or two seats and quietly ask if you were aware of the size policy?
|
They have this at amusement parks. The seats are right there before you get on the ride so you don't have to suffer the humiliation of waiting in line only to be told to get off in front of everyone.