Being publicly weighed at the airport to decide the cost of airfare???
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
April 23, 2013 10:51am CST
Would you mind being publicly weighed at the airport to decide the cost of your airfare?
Well 4 in 10 American’s say they wouldn't according to a public opinion survey by YouGov.
Apparently the airlines are always looking to reduce the cost of carrying weight...and this is the solution.
Somoa Air has already begun charging by the combined weight of passengers and their baggage at a rate of 93 cents to $1.06 per kilogram, depending on the flight.
So how do you feel about possibly being weighed and charged accordingly when flying? I’m not sure how well this would go over in the USA with our obesity rates being so high. I mean who willingly wants to be weighed in public by a stranger and then charged more per more pounds?!?
I do agree however that people should purchase accordingly- if they do not fit comfortably in one seat...they need to purchase two. Your thoughts?
Link to original report:
http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/u-s-fliers-believe-obese-should-buy-second-seat-1C9511172
7 responses
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
23 Apr 13
This can certainly create problems with general public... People would think fat people would pay more but exactly opposite would be true... It's a medical fact that muscle weighs more than fat, by volume... Which means, 5 lbs of fat will take up more space than 5 lbs of muscle would... So slightly leaner person could weigh more than slightly bigger person by comparison... Which leads me to believe in a long term, as I lose fat, I can become heavier while I become smaller in whole body size... We gotta pay more air fair for being healthy, or air fair going up progressively higher as we get healthier?
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
23 Apr 13
I don't think they are talking about slightly over weight people. And largly over weight people would weigh more any day compared to someone that is in shape with muscle.
1 person likes this
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
24 Apr 13
"Samoa Air now charges passengers 93 cents to $1.06 per kilogram, depending on the flight." Doesn't sound like weather someone is in shape or not is not an issue... It sounds like a strict "Weight" issue... My sister who's 2 1/2 years older than I am... She's 5'1" tall & weighs 90 pounds, around 40kg, on a good day... In her apartment complex, there's a 13 year old kid who's over weight... He weighs in around 150 pounds, around 68kg... So, according to the article, while 45 year old woman pays between $37.20 - $42.40, over weight 13 year old pays $63.24 - $72.08... And that's if both got on the plane with no luggage... Article does day, "combined weight of passenger & luggage"... Doesn't sound right to me... What if the kid starts to lose weight as he gets older for whatever the reason? Does that mean he pays less as he gets older?
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Apr 13
It means yes he pays less the less he weighs...age isn't a factor..its the weight ..at any age.
@varier (5685)
• Indonesia
23 Apr 13
I do agree however that people should purchase accordingly- if they do not fit comfortably in one seat...they need to purchase two. Your thoughts?
Uhm, I believe weight won't be an objective measure for this. Measuring his length x height x width would be more appropriate 
I don't really mind to be publicly weighed in front of the public, but that could be a big offense for people with more fats. It even be a bigger offense if you ask him to buy two seats. 
I don't really mind to be publicly weighed in front of the public, but that could be a big offense for people with more fats. It even be a bigger offense if you ask him to buy two seats. 1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
23 Apr 13
Measuring in weight, height AND length would further delay the check in process at an airport in my opinion...and its already slow as a snail in some airports. Plus..your height really doesn't matter because it doesn't bother the person sitting next to you as if you were overweight and spilling over into their space/seat.
It will take about the same time with weight measurement. 
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
23 Apr 13
sounds like a coffin to me... length X width X height
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
23 Apr 13
I wouldn't want to be publicly weighed at the airport. My children would travel very cheaply due to their ages 3 and 5 years old. I have traveled to Samoa in 2002 and know some of the people there are obese. Very fat people should be able to pay for two seats. There should be an adult price, a child price and an infant price.
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Apr 13
I agree about the difference in pricing adults, children and infants. Generally because smaller children and infants can sometimes fit on the parents lap for the trip.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
23 Apr 13
If it was done privately then \i probably would not object too much but not publicly. It would be another thing to go through at the airport - it is like herding cattle anyway. I would be embarrassed as I am overweight but not obese
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Apr 13
It's truly getting ridiculous these days. We have to be completely searched (for our own good i know) but THEN..we are put through a scanner showing EVERYTHING under our clothes to the security guard monitoring the scanner...at this point...my weight wouldn't be an issue because I'm so pissed by the time I'm basically strip searched that nothing else could humiliate me more..so go ahead and weigh me.
@jambi462 (4576)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I personally wouldn't care if I was weighed in public at the airport but I also don't have a problem with my weight and don't have anything to be embarrassed about. I can see how people that aren't okay with their weight wouldn't really want their weight to be shown to complete strangers. I think it would be nice to be able to pay less for airfare though if there is a way.
I guess it would be better if they could weight people without showing everyone else there the weight of each person. They could just have the scale out there and not have a machine showing the weight to other people. It could just print off on each person's ticket so that way the only person that would know your weight would be you and the person printing the tickets.
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
23 Apr 13
I do not have an issue with weight either, but there are so many that do.
Good point about paying less by weighing less...I guess in this instance I would be #winning (in the words of Charlie Sheen)
Honestly, I figure they already fondle you for security purposes...what's the big deal in divulging your weight after having been frisked you so thoroughly you feel as though you need a shower afterwards...
@kboykin24 (31)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I personally do not mind but you have to think about the masses of people who are insecure about their weight, they might care.In this case it not what you do but how you do, if done privately where no ones feeling will be hurt then it is not a problem to me but, I donot think it should be done where everybody can see it. Many people are insecure about their weight and going to the airport may now become a nightmare if they have to be reminded if done in front of a group of people.
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 Apr 13
Although Im not sure I agree with the whole concept of weighing people and pricing accordingly. I do know that they fondle (search) EVERY passenger in front of everyone...so why not weigh them in front of everyone. If I can get basically sexually harassed then be put through a scanner where you can clearly see under my clothes...what is the difference if you know how much I weigh at that point...its a shame I tell you.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
23 Apr 13
I don't mind and I will be placed in a HEAVY WEIGHT area, I like bigger seat, bigger leg space, bigger meal, bigger drink, bigger toilet.
I am okay paying extra as long as i will get extra too.
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
23 Apr 13
That is a positive way of looking at it.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
23 Apr 13
oh yes, I pity those who are big.. and trying to squeeze in a small space in the plane... and so with the small toilet... and small serving.
1 person likes this
