Obese air passenger in economy seat has picture taken

[Cali_Democrat]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6671018/Obese-air-passenger-in-economy-seat-has-picture-taken.html

An image of an obese passenger squeezed into an economy airline seat has reopened a debate about how airlines deal with growing numbers of oversized passengers.

The picture, posted on an aviation blog, was reportedly taken by a flight attendant to illustrate to airline managers the difficulty of dealing with passengers who cannot fit into seats.

It is unclear if the man was aware his picture was being taken or whether the flight, on US carrier American Airlines, took off with the passenger spilling out of his seat.

Airlines already offer extended seatbelts to larger passengers to comply with safety rules but a number of carriers now insist obese customers buy an extra seat.



Read more at link...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6671018/Obese-air-passenger-in-economy-seat-has-picture-taken.html

[Liberal In Texas]

1. It looks like the 2 seats directly behind him are empty,..

couldn't they have moved him there?

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Would it have even been enough?

:shrug:

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Better than where he is.

[goldcanyonaz]

18. Probably emply cuz they had to move others over to balance the plane.

[Cali_Democrat]

28. LOL

That's just not right!

[goldcanyonaz]

33. LOL! I know, it felt wrong posting it but...

I just couldn't help myself.

[bridgit]

49. Pft

:spank:

[ManiacJoe]

66. As funny as that statement is,

the shuffling of passengers to balance the plane is a very common occurrence on small planes.

[Le Taz Hot]

76. That was an assbite thing to say.

And anyone who laughs at it is just as big of an assbite. :thumbsdown:

[WillowTree]

25. Could be children in those seats.

[Liberal In Texas]

35. Not for long! It's also illegal for the plane to take off with the aisle blocked that much.

Something must have been done after the pic was taken to get the guy better situated.

[L0oniX]

39. OMG ...I hope he looked before he sat down.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Wasn't this a 4chan meme a few weeks ago?

Notice how he's two or three feet taller then everybody else too. I wonder if the Telegraph has fallen for a 4chan shoop.

[Drunken Irishman]

8. Could be because he's sitting on the armrest...

I don't know, though.

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. I saw that on news. He's not obese, he's superhuman. I think it's photoshopped.

[azmouse]

4. It looks like 2 seats wouldn't have been quite big enough for him.

wow.

[dusmcj]

6. he may look taller cause he's sitting on the armrest - super wedgie /nt

[L0oniX]

40. Wedgie? ...or stuck up his arse?

[Nye Bevan]

9. When only one of your buttocks can fit in an airline seat

it's time to seriously start a diet. Or fly first class.

[annabanana]

67. Nope.. The arm rests in the first class seats don't fold up . . n/t

[Tailormyst]

10. I'm 99.99999999999999999999% sure this is a fake picture.

[blondeatlast]

30. He's in sharper focus than the rest of the plane, the guy next to him is

looking at what, if normally sized, would be his face.

There's probably more evidence, but I agree it's likely a fake. The focus alone does it for me.

[Owl]

52. Center Focus will focus on the center of the frame.

[Sebastian Doyle]

11. That picture is as phony as an "Osama Bin Laden" video

But then, the Telegraph is a right wing Murdoch tabloid.

[Lance_Boyle]

12. the photo's not doctored - the guy is half-sitting/half-standing

Read the comments at the link - apparently the guy in the middle seat in the picture took a FC upgrade on a later flight to give this exceedingly large dude his two seats. For the price of one, though. I'd have made him pay for the second seat.

[bookworm65t]

13. my freeper BIL sent to me earlier in the week

He thought it was hilarious, but as an overweight person myself, I saw nothing but problems for him.

If the airline didn't double-charge him, he likely booked it online. So why didn't the check-in agent advise him to purchase another seat? Probably didn't want to be screamed at. Or the line was long and didn't want a hassle to slow things down.

We don't become big overnight; we actually has some self awareness. So what the hell was wrong with him in thinking he could fit in a seat meant for a 150 lb person? And getting an aisle seat, wtf? I guarantee you that he was very uncomfortable the whole time he was there.

Funny? HELL NO. Not for everyone involved. :shrug:

[City of Mills]

14. That skinny guy in the middle should push over, for chrissake

It looks like he's leaning into the heavier passenger's space...what's up with that?

[Lance_Boyle]

17. the skinny dude paid for and is using ONE SEAT

it's not incumbent on him to give up any of what he paid for so that the ginormous abberation next to him can be less uncomfortable.

That said, the middle seat guy apparently opted to take a first class upgrade on a later flight to avoid being crammed partially-under the big guy for the whole flight.

[Ikonoklast]

15. Looks like someone has been punked.

No way would the airlines allow the aisle to be blocked.

It is not safe, or even legal to fly like that.

[FarCenter]

16. Commenter asserts that the picture is real

The bigger picture from flightglobal.com doesn't show any obvious modifiction when blown up.


http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusual-attitude/2009/11/passenger-creates-big-debate-a.html

By Chris
on November 20, 2009 3:25 AM | Reply 
This was taken by a friend of mine. 

1) Yes, it's real.

2) The "big" passenger was allowed to stay.

3) The guy in the middle seat was pulled from the flight and given $$$ voucher for future travel + f/c on the next available flight.

4) AA is one of the wimpiest companies I've ever worked for - they are ***terrified*** of lawsuits!

AA Flight Attendant

[LuckyLib]

26. My sister in an AA flight attendant as well, says this is real.

They are so short of seat belt extensions now on flights that they are formally requesting at least a dozen for each flight. Big folks out there.

[blondeatlast]

34. "Big guy" is in FAR sharper focus than the rest of the plane and the

guy next to hom would be looking at a face were "big" normal sized.

I call it a fake until Snopes calls it for good.

[Owl]

51. Center Focus will focus on the center of the frame.

[anigbrowl]

53. No he isn't. it's focused to infinity on a cheap lens is all.

Considering the degree of chromatic aberration etc. I'm guessing it was shot on a camera phone. I fail to see where you're getting these ideas about him being in sharper focus. I'm an imaging professional, by the way.

[RT Atlanta]

19. Heartbreaking picture

I feel bad for the large passenger.

[we can do it]

31. Why? I Feel Sorry For the Small Guy Underneath Him

[L0oniX]

38. Yea ..I don't get that. Everyone feels bad for the fat bastard and the skinny guy gets shit on.

My bet is that many DU members are over weight, to put it nicely, and hate skinny people for making them look even worse by comparison.
:wtf:

[Obamanaut]

20. If this is a real picture, the guy is a safety hazard in the event of

emergency egress, putting anyone (and everyone) behind him on the way to an exit at risk.

[FarCenter]

21. Earlier picture is on consumertraveler.com -- a much clearer gif

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-with-oversized-passengers/

There is argument over whether it is faked or not -- whether the material at the top of the seat back was photoshopped away or whether the guy's weight is pulling the top of the seat down. I'd go with the latter theory, since trimming off the seat top would be a really dumb mistake to be when faking a photo.

[FarCenter]

23. The other issue is what would happen if he had to exit through the wing exit

Like getting out to stand on the wing in the middle of the Hudson River.

He'd probably plug up the exit if he ever got up the aisle to the wing exit row.

[marmar]

22. I can't imagine that they'd let someone who was dangling off the side of the seat fly.....

Something doesn't look right.

[harun]

24. There going to have people start stepping on the scales, not just the luggage.

[Lance_Boyle]

27. No scales necessary - just have them pass through an opening the width of the seat

when they pick up boarding passes. Just like the little cage thingie they have to measure if your carry-on will fit. If you can't make it through the girth-o-tron, you must buy a second seat.

[dysfunctional press]

29. obese passenger has picture taken and then posted on internet message board for ridicule...

[Brickbat]

32. Yup.

[dusmcj]

36. aww, we should be inclusive, right ? /nt

[dysfunctional press]

41. inclusive of what...?

inclue me in...:shrug:

i was just clarifying the op's subject line.

[Cali_Democrat]

42. I don't think the subject line needs any clarification

I just took the exact headline from the telegraph article.

[dysfunctional press]

45. "I just took the exact headline from the telegraph article and posted the picture here for ridicule"

got it. :thumbsup:

[Cali_Democrat]

47. Posted for discussion of airline safety, not ridicule

I'm sorry you're offended by me taking airline safety seriously.

[dysfunctional press]

of course you did, sweetheart...

[Cali_Democrat]

50. Why are you suggesting that overweight people should be ashamed of themselves?

Shame on you.

[dusmcj]

56. we should all accomodate others' lack of self-control, right ? bu-bye. /nt

[pipi_k]

65. Just for the record...

it's not always a "lack of self control".


There are many more reasons for someone's being obese than just lack of self control. Like having to take medication that causes them to gain lots and lots of weight. If they were a tad bit overweight before, the meds only add to the problem.


It would be nice if there were true justice in this world. Because if there were, people who don't understand that obesity can be a real disease condition (of the mind OR body) would get the chance to walk a few miles in someone else's shoes for a while and be really really fat. Get a taste of what it's like to be shamed for having a "lack of self control".

[dusmcj]

72. for the record, statistically, the majority of obesity today is due to lack of eating discipline

[dusmcj]

73. and the diet of shit produced by the US food industry /nt

[anigbrowl]

54. Sez you. I don't see any ridicule or name-calling going on.

Furthermore, the guy is anonymous - all I know about him is he's male, fat, and has a bald spot. I think it's quite reasonable to argue that if you're that big you should buy 2 seats. If this thread were full of posts along the lines of 'hurf durf, what a fatso' or something you might have a point. But it isn't.

[pipi_k]

64. I guess you missed

a post upthread where the overweight guy is called:


a "ginormous abberation"


Yeah, OK, so he didn't get called a "big fucking fatass" or anything, but still... There are so many overweight and obese people in this country that it's no longer an aberration.

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. +1. Would have been +10, but you forgot the word "progressive" before message board in your reply.

[dusmcj]

58. all internet message boards are progressive. otherwise some would have no source of affirmation /nt

[Obamanaut]

63. If obese passenger got that way voluntarily, he deserves what he gets. nt

[L0oniX]

37. Old picture from last week ..article and pic posted on Huffington.

...so now everyone responds ...pffft

I suppose they should make the airlines have larger toilets with hydraulic seat lifts too.

[PeaceNikki]

43. Last week it was reported that the flight attendant took it to illustrate a safety issue

and that the airline gave the guy a whole row.

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x410847

[proteus_lives]

44. That's a big fella.

Looks like he needs to pay for the extra seat.

[ccinamon]

48. It looks to me like he is sittng on the armrest waiting

....I've seen plenty of passengers do this during boarding. And it looks like they are boarding as you can see a few people in the front of the plane milling about.

[TK421]

55. Can I ask a question? How was this issue addressed in the 80's? the 90's?

how was this issue addressed then? and how was it dealt with?

Why am I hearing so much about this shit today? how did airlines deal with this problem in the past? Is it just because people are more whiny about shit today? ( and for fucks sake, they are ) or have people become more obese than they were in past decades where seating is really becoming an issue?


would really love some answers, if there are any

[dusmcj]

57. there were fewer fat people. statistically true. let the howls of outrage begin /nt

[TK421]

61. I won't deny that...no howls of outrage here, just the "surprise! we have fat people" factor

I should have noted even before the 80's..looking back

[lildreamer316]

60. The seats were more spacious and not so crowded together.

I'm just sayin'.

[TK421]

62. I understand, but people of this size have to have been accommodated in certain

situations similar to these....at some time before today..

wouldn't you agree?

[ManiacJoe]

69. The same way it is done today.

The man physically requires two seats. Before that plane leaves, he will either have two seats or will be placed on the next fight that has available seating. The flight crews are good at moving passengers around to accommodate needs that cannot be input into the automated systems.

He may or may not have bought two seats. (He should have since he knew he needed two.)

If he needs to be put onto another flight, the airline may or may not charge him extra if he did not buy the required extra seat in the first place.

Back then there were fewer obese people. Back then there were no cel phones with cameras to document these events.

[SmileyRose]

71. 3 seconds on an older plane and you'll realize instantly the difference.

Seats were a good 6" wider and at least 10" further between rows. I rarely fly, but when I do, I go out of my way to try to find an ancient plane.

[David Zephyr]

59. The man is also very TALL. He's just a big man. I think the photo is deplorable.

The man is also very tall. Tall people are also typically wider people. It goes that way.

This photo is cruel and whoever took it and made sport with it is a shithead.

He has a right to fly just as anyone else.

Maybe the airlines might make some seat actually fit the population.

I am 6'2" and I have a lot of trouble finding space for my legs, so I only fly first class now which is costly. Thank goodness I'm not also that wide or someone would be taking my picture, too.

[omega minimo]

68. He's big and the seats look like "normal" is a 5'7" man, no larger. Ridiculous. The cost of greed.

[SmileyRose]

70. American Airlines can suck my ovaries.

I am under 5' and need to be wearing 3 coats, heavy work boots and have a full bladder to top 100# - and even *I* think the seats in the planes are too damn close together. I can't even imagine how it feels for tall broad shouldered men or obese people.

10 years ago, We flew my disabled uncle from California to Atlanta not long after knee replacement and inquired about a discount on the second seat to give him some room to move in case he became too uncomfortable. American wanted full price for both seats. Period, no budge. Delta gave us the 2nd seat for a flat $50. I suspect that price has gone up substantially, but even at a price of 50% off the 2nd seat, I believe you'll find most passengers who really do take up 2 seats would rather spend the money than be that kind of uncomfortable.

Of course, the tall man in this picture, even if of normal weight for his height - where the hell does he put his legs????

[Javaman]

74. having a sister that works in the airline industry, the issue of weight

isn't about the persons size or how many seats they take up.

It an issue of balance. There is a dept in all airlines entitled: Weights and Balances. The person who works at this job, it their responsibility to make sure that all cargo and passengers are properly balanced on the plane.

Why?

Because if you have a crate of lead weights on one side of the plane that weighs 5 tons, and you have a crate of feathers on the other size that ways 100 pounds. If that plane takes off I can bet you that not only will the plane experience massive issues with trying to maintain level flying but may also crash.

Each person who signs off on a planes balance has to sign a legal documents stating that plane is safe for flying. If that plane crashes and the cause is found to be a mis-balanced plane, that person who signed off on it, goes to jail. period.

The issue of obesity passengers is of great concern in recent years, because there are more grossly over weight people in society then ever before, it is now running into legal issues.

This is one of the main reasons why, I think it was british carrier, decided to start weighing their passengers.

Why do you think they weigh luggage? just for the hell of it?

Before, various actuary tables were used to roughly determine the average weight of a group of passengers on a plane.

X amount of people on a certain type of plane is usually X amount of weight.

Those same tables are now rapidly becoming out dated as the average weight of Americans goes up.

This is why. It's a safety issue. And as such, I wish the fucking airlines would sit down with the American people and tell them this. But like everything else in society, there is 1) an issue with being politically correct and (believe it or not) 2) various lobbyists that are trying to prevent this info to be released to the public.

So there it is. Believe what you want, but that is the fact of the matter.

[Tailormyst]

75. This is why I am to terrified to fly.

I am scared to death of being humiliated at the gate for being to fat. Even if I could afford a vacation, I would make it somewhere I could drive to. And the mean comments on this thread, flung about and thought of as "funny" are truly hurtful.

[Le Taz Hot]

77. Oh, goody!

One more post giving DU's resident Beevis & Buttheads an opportunity to make fun of overweight people. :thumbsdown: