Obese entitled to 2 airline seats- Canada

[dukebound85]

But the question still stands, and like I said, I already know the laws. Question was, if the dog was allowed to be in the seat, should we have to pay for that seat?

BL.

as i said, laws require the airlines to accomodate for the dog. there is no such law requiring companies to accomodate obese people

however im arguing from the point is it entitled for obese people to have these seats. if laws and airline policys say so, thats their decision isnt it

so canada made their decision but i would fight any type of movement here in the states

 

[.Andy]

No they're not. They're getting a chair thrown in the back of the cargo hold assuming that there's available space. It requires pre-arrangement and often a fee.

Is this really the case. I was under the impression (perhaps from Australian regulations) that wheelchairs are carried for free. There is no fee for carrying the chair and the disabled person gets an isle seat and special care getting to and from the restrooms.

 

[aethelbert]

But the question still stands, and like I said, I already know the laws. Question was, if the dog was allowed to be in the seat, should we have to pay for that seat?

The dog doesn't get a seat. The disabled person is guided to the seat by ground staff and the dog is placed into the cargo hold and meets the passenger at the gate upon arrival. It's not using what could be used for revenue.

 

[dukebound85]

The dog doesn't get a seat. The disabled person is guided to the seat by ground staff and the dog is placed into the cargo hold and meets the passenger at the gate upon arrival. It's not using what could be used for revenue.

im not too sure on that but i could see the point if say other passengers were allergic to dogs or what not

 

[aethelbert]

Is this really the case. I was under the impression (perhaps from Australian regulations) that wheelchairs are carried for free. There is no fee for carrying the chair and the disabled person gets an isle seat and special care getting to and from the restrooms.

They get special assistance both on the ground and on the flight if available (usually not on short flights). But the chair almost never goes with them. Many carriers will carry the chair as cargo for free, but some charge (especially if it's not pre-arranged).

im not too sure on that but i could see the point if say other passengers were allergic to dogs or what not

That's how it's been as long as I've worked in the industry. There's no way to secure a dog in the seat and it could potentially be a flying hazard in case of emergency. I did, though, once see one take a first class seat but that was simply because there was no additional space in the cargo hold (small regional jet).

 

[bradl]

as i said, laws require the airlines to accomodate for the dog. there is no such law requiring companies to accomodate obese people

however im arguing from the point is it entitled for obese people to have these seats. if laws and airline policys say so, thats their decision isnt it

Fair enough. What I'm trying to get at is if people would be happy/satisfied if someone in their family had to be bumped from a flight because a dog or other service animal got a free seat on your flight that easily could have been taken by your family, as they paid for it.

See what I mean?

BL.

 

[bruinsrme]

And let's take another hypothetical.

If it were legal for my SO's guide dog to sit in the seat instead of on the floor next to her, would it be fair that she'd have to purchase an extra seat for her guide (yellow lab)?

Before anyone says that it's irrelevant, I already know and read extensively the ADA and Air Carrier Access Act, and know what is supposed to happen with service animals. Like I said, this is hypothetical, so I'd love to hear your opinions based on the debate so far.

BL.

service dogs should absolutely receive special treatment.
Like a panas the service dog is an extension of the persons body but serve to aide the individual in what most people take for granted.
The service dog SHOULD NOT have to pay for an extra seat. These are incredible creatures.
If the government says an obese person should be able to occupy more than 1 seat then standards should be set accomodate everyone without providing preferrential treatment based on size. I would love to be able to stretch out in a 30 inch wide seat.

 

[bradl]

The dog doesn't get a seat. The disabled person is guided to the seat by ground staff and the dog is placed into the cargo hold and meets the passenger at the gate upon arrival. It's not using what could be used for revenue.

You may want to reread that Air Carrier Access Act. The service animal is allowed in the plane, and is usually placed in the bulkhead of the plane, by law. They do not go into the cargo hold.

BL.

 

[.Andy]

the dog is placed into the cargo hold and meets the passenger at the gate upon arrival. It's not using what could be used for revenue.

All space and weight on an aircraft costs money. Nothing is free, especially transporting live animals.

 

[dukebound85]

Fair enough. What I'm trying to get at is if people would be happy/satisfied if someone in their family had to be bumped from a flight because a dog or other service animal got a free seat on your flight that easily could have been taken by your family, as they paid for it.

See what I mean?

BL.

well the airline has no choice to not accommodate the dog as its required legally.

again this accommodation is not legally required for obesity yet here in the states

 

[aethelbert]

Fair enough. What I'm trying to get at is if people would be happy/satisfied if someone in their family had to be bumped from a flight because a dog or other service animal got a free seat on your flight that easily could have been taken by your family, as they paid for it.

See what I mean?

BL.

Although the dog doesn't get a seat, situations like this are often avoided. This is why we require this kind of stuff to be arranged way in advance. If the flight is full and someone would need services which would inflict upon someone else's ability to travel, we reserve the right to deny service. It's a first-come, first-served industry.

 

[calculus]

the service dog is an extension of the persons body

An obese person's body is an extension of their body...

 

[dukebound85]

An obese person's body is an extension of their body...

and ones legally protected while the other isnt

 

[Lau]

A double quarter pounder with cheese super sized, 3 times a week.

If you want to do that, you can. The point is, a lot of us choose not to do that because, actually, being obese to the point of disability isn't likely to be much fun (and it's hardly as simple as that, anyway).

Do you really think that the majority of people who are that obese do it to spite airlines and get an extra seat (which they fill) for free? Do you really think they wouldn't swap with you to be (I'm assuming) an average weight?

This idea that people do this kind of thing on purpose to spite the 'taxpayer' is just ludicrous.

I would love to be able to stretch out in a 30 inch wide seat.

But an obese person wouldn't be stretching out. They're not getting an advantage, they're just getting what you get.

 

[aethelbert]

You may want to reread that Air Carrier Access Act. The service animal is allowed in the plane, and is usually placed in the bulkhead of the plane, by law. They do not go into the cargo hold.

BL.

I work for an airline operating under different laws. The dog goes into the cabin only when arrangements were made for it to travel and cargo space is unavailable. I am yet to witness this. Not all planes have bulkheads, either. If the animal cannot be secured (which many a/c can't accommodate), it cannot be in the cabin.

All space and weight on an aircraft costs money. Nothing is free, especially transporting live animals.

True, but another traveling passenger makes the airline more than enough money to cover the cost.

Wow, this is off topic. Obese to dogs. Impressive.

 

[.Andy]

and ones legally protected while the other isnt

Only in the US and this thread isn't about the US. It's about Canada.

 

[juanster]

imagine how upset the owners of an airline will be if there is an obese convention or something? well at least they ll make their moneyback selling food on the plane...(and im sorry if offended anyone who is obese by illness not fault, all o ther ones well.....stop eating, and come train with me!!!lol)

 

[calculus]

and ones legally protected while the other isnt

Not to become a broken record or anything, but apparently not in Canada...

 

[dukebound85]

Not to become a broken record or anything, but apparently not in Canada...

right right, im talking here in US and if there was a movement to do this

 

[iJohnHenry]

Weight requires fuel.

Jump on the scale with your bags, and we'll let you know how much we are billing your credit card.

 

[bruinsrme]

If you want to do that, you can. The point is, a lot of us choose not to do that because, actually, being obese to the point of disability isn't likely to be much fun (and it's hardly as simple as that, anyway).

Do you really think that the majority of people who are that obese do it to spite airlines and get an extra seat (which they fill) for free? Do you really think they wouldn't swap with you to be (I'm assuming) an average weight?

This idea that people do this kind of thing on purpose to spite the 'taxpayer' is just ludicrous.



But an obese person wouldn't be stretching out. They're not getting an advantage, they're just getting what you get.

should i be given a smaller seat and charged less because I am 5'6" and 160 pounds.

Oh yeah I want the arm rest down.

 

[bradl]

I work for an airline operating under different laws. The dog goes into the cabin only when arrangements were made for it to travel and cargo space is unavailable. I am yet to witness this. Not all planes have bulkheads, either. If the animal cannot be secured (which many a/c can't accommodate), it cannot be in the cabin.


True, but another traveling passenger makes the airline more than enough money to cover the cost.

Wow, this is off topic. Obese to dogs. Impressive.

Apparently you don't get the meaning of the word hypothetical.

You're right, not all planes have bulkheads, but they do need to be accommodated in the plane, so sayeth 14 CFR Part 382:

(c) If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat location of the qualified individual with a disability whom the animal is accompanying (see § 382.55(a)(2)), the carrier shall offer the passenger the opportunity to move with the animal to a seat location, if present on the aircraft, where the animal can be accommodated, as an alternative to requiring that the animal travel with checked baggage.

I'm a pilot as well, albeit student.

BL.

 

[aethelbert]

Weight requires fuel.

Jump on the scale with your bags, and we'll let you know how much we are billing your credit card.

I remember WN trying that a few years back. It was funny to watch that one play out. Needless to say, it got slashed because nobody wanted to stand on the scale.

 

[yg17]

As a fat person, I think this is ridiculous. If you take up 2 seats, pay for 2 freaking seats.

Fortunately I'm not that big and my fat ass still fits in one seat with the armrests down. But if I needed 2 seats, I'd have no problem paying for the 2nd seat. If I did, I'd drive instead.

 

[bruinsrme]

Apparently you don't get the meaning of the word hypothetical.

You're right, not all planes have bulkheads, but they do need to be accommodated in the plane, so sayeth 14 CFR Part 382:



I'm a pilot as well, albeit student.

BL.

I would gladly take another flight to accommodate a service animal. Again, that person needs the service dog.

What about the obese person with the obese service dog. j/k