Airline 'fat tax': Should heavy passengers pay more?

[moonbladem]

From excess luggage to excess flesh -- an economist says flight fares should be based on body weight.An economics scholar in Norway has recommended that air ticket costs be calculated according to a passenger’s weight

Comments

[thelilyqueen]

Oh, for... ::facepalm::

I'm one of the people who'd benefit from this proposal, as I'm under 5 feet and 100 lbs, but NO. This proposal can't promote health when health has a tenuous correlation at best with weight/height and even less of one with 'raw' weight, and how would the logistics even work? Airlines are cutting costs wherever they can, automating check-in, etc., and he wants them to hire 'fat cops'?

Edited because he did address some logistics I missed on my first read.

[muizenstaartje]

When looking at reducing environmental impact it sounds great in theory, but in practice you deal with people and human nature. What's going to keep companies from hiring only light weight people for positions that require lots of travelling? Average sized people would cost too much and then "average" becomes the new "fat" that needs to be shamed into losing weight.

[lone_concertina]

Curious how strictly enforced they are if that's the case. I fly a lot and I see attendants of all heights and weights. (I felt bad for the guy who was at least 6'4" but he sure seemed to love his job.)

[muizenstaartje]

I know and there are already enough people who take extreme measures to be able to meet the physical requirements to get their "dream job" (some fail). I don't think it will be good for health in general when employers select on weight when hiring for most jobs that involve travelling by plane a lot. (Salesmen, scientists, representatives of whatever, lobbyists, etc.)

[zendequervain]

Weight and space are only taken into account when CARGO is concerned. People are not cargo, Dr. Bhatta. Reducing the weight of people on a plane won't save the airline any money in fuel, because they will simply increase the cargo weight.

Not to mention how triggering this would be to anyone who has or has had an eating disorder. Just the thought of having a possible weigh in at an airport is problematic for me.

[mastadge]

I propose that the fat tax be complemented by an asshole tax, whereby those above the asshole threshold pay extra and those below it receive a discount. The asshole threshold shall, of course, be scientifically determined and easily testable by TSA employees for maximum objectivity; any objections to it, therefore, automatically put one over the asshole threshold.

Seriously, this kind of bullshit for a "token" savings is, well, bullshit. If you're that concerned about the environment, invest in research into more efficient aircraft and engine design and fuel sources. Or, y'know, invest the money you're spending on this fattist crap instead in lobbying for reform of the major pollutant industries.

[fluffydragon]

I want to hug your entire comment.

[evilnel]

Seconded.

[zeldakitty]

I would also like to impose the asshole tax on men who splay their legs wide apart (in airplane seats) and into the comfort zone of others.

[gambitia]

I think the thing that offends me most about this is that it treats humans like nothing more than variably-sized fleshbags. I know airlines have profit margins thin enough to shave with, but it seems like this is just bitching about what an inconvenience it is to cart people from A to B, especially people who have the gall to be heavy. Since carting people from A to B is an airline's modus operandi, they can just shut up about it.

And people don't understand why my 5'4" 200-lb self would rather drive for a week than step on a plane.

[sandstorm]

Since carting people from A to B is an airline's modus operandi, they can just shut up about it.

This is my primary thought here (After "How about no.")

[fluffydragon]

More like bags of mostly water.

[moonshaz]

UGLY bags of mostly water?

(Sorry, this triggered my inner Star Trek nerd, and I couldn't resist!)