On airplane now, large woman spilling onto me!

[timeos2]

Why not have three that may find the need for more room in the same three seat row? Then the problem would be obvious and they can decide to sit and bear it or make other arrangements.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

You know, it was the "f*** you" attitude and the constant moving around that really pushed me over the edge. You could not just move yourself out of her way, the elbows were flailing.

You are so right though about people becoming increasingly selfish & rude in public. I ride a train to work, the seating is pairs of seats facing each other, resulting in groups of 4 seats. There is also a quiet car which I ride in- supposed to be no phone calls, no conversations, no children. Frequent announcements are made asking folks to occupy only 1 seat & reminding what the quiet car is about. Every train trip, people just blatantly disregard these rules. Yesterday, there was a lady occupying one seat, while she had her purse on yet another and a grocery bag on another. All in a crowded car. I frequently just ask people to move their bags, nice about it, but thinking "what's wrong with you?". The conductors don't want to deal with this, no one wants to hear the sqwaking on social media or the 6:00 news, I guess.

However, the day someone starts repeatedly shoving their purse or briefcase into my shoulder, ribs and face is the day I start driving my car to work for sure!

H

I just move the stuff. I will look right at the person and ask, "is this yours?" and hand it to them.

If they say anything, I say, "Oh, did your purse pay for that seat?" It is amazing to me how many of those blank stares that I get. Ian is always horrified when I do this.




.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Why not have three that may find the need for more room in the same three seat row? Then the problem would be obvious and they can decide to sit and bear it or make other arrangements.

I think that this is a great idea. Then the fat people can just rub up against each other. Keeping fat to themselves won't be an issue.

 

[dioxide45]

I think *some* of the posts in this thread are proving one thing. That discrimination toward the obese is for some reason one of the last still acceptable forms of discrimination in America, rather sad.

Edited to add: This isn't directed at the original post, just some of the responses I have read.

 

[Ridewithme38]

The problem is because of the arm rests people think they own the seat they are sitting in and that there is some defined area that is 'theirs', get rid of the arm rests and make it a bench seat, that'll solve all the complaints

 

[Passepartout]

I think *some* of the posts in this thread are proving one thing. That discrimination toward the obese is for some reason one of the last still acceptable forms of discrimination in America...

Yup. But you could also say in the context of the OP, that they *hold it against the rest of us*, too.

Jim

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I think that this is a great idea. Then the fat people can just rub up against each other. Keeping fat to themselves won't be an issue.

And just to be clear. I am fat. I know enough to keep my fat to myself.

 

[laurac260]

I think *some* of the posts in this thread are proving one thing. That discrimination toward the obese is for some reason one of the last still acceptable forms of discrimination in America, rather sad.

Edited to add: This isn't directed at the original post, just some of the responses I have read.

I dunno, you can't control the color of your skin, you can't control the sex you were born with, or what your face looks like, or what religion you were born into, but you sure can control how much gravy you put on your potatoes, how many times you go to McDonald's, whether you get the large fries or the salad, and how many times you get that Big Gulp at 7Eleven.


Just sayin'.....

 

[ampaholic]

I think *some* of the posts in this thread are proving one thing. That discrimination toward the obese is for some reason one of the last still acceptable forms of discrimination in America, rather sad.

Edited to add: This isn't directed at the original post, just some of the responses I have read.

Sorry to inform you - fat is not a "protected group" - so they can't be "discriminated" against.

 

[Ridewithme38]

I dunno, you can't control the color of your skin, you can't control the sex you were born with, or what your face looks like, or what religion you were born into, but you sure can control how much gravy you put on your potatoes, how many times you go to McDonald's, whether you get the large fries or the salad, and how many times you get that Big Gulp at 7Eleven.


Just sayin'.....

Shh! Your making me hungry! Thank genetics i'm tall and have a high metabolism!! I can pig out anytime i like and won't gain (much) Weight!

 

[Rose Pink]

Watch this slide show from the CDC on the obesifying of America. (Click on play above the map.) http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

We live in an obesogenic environment with few people truly understanding the addictive nature of the "food" we consume. One of the biggest culprits to the excess calories in our diets are sugar sweetened beverages. It's estimated they contribute half of our excess calories.

Remember the scandal when cigarette companies were found to add extra nicotine to cigarettes to increase their addictive potential--thus ensuring repeat customers? Well, the same thing is happening in our food industry. They aren't adding nicotine of course, but they are designing foods that induce the "bliss point" to ensure repeat customers. These hyperpalatable foods can quite literally change our brain chemistry in the same fashion as other addictions such as drugs, gambling, shopping, etc. They all converge on a shared pathway in the mesolimbic system to motivate behavior. Eating a hyperpalatable food induces a potent release of dopamine. It's been called the "twinkie circuit." Eating these foods provides a dopamine reward and that can lead the brain to want more reward. And it takes more and more to induce that dopamine response. Done often enough, the brain gets rewired.

As a society, we would be wise to address what has happened to our food choices. Why is it cheaper to buy junk food than fruits and vegetables? Why do we still allow schools to sell junk food to our children in vending machines? Sure the schools need money but that is a terrible way to profit off the health of our nation.

And now, I better shut up before this veers into political/social commentary that will get me banned.:ignore:

 

[Rose Pink]

Shh! Your making me hungry! Thank genetics i'm tall and have a high metabolism!! I can pig out anytime i like and won't gain (much) Weight!

Oh, just wait a decade or so. It will catch up with you.

 

[jlr10]

Sorry to inform you - fat is not a "protected group" - so they can't be "discriminated" against.

It is coming. Look at all the wellness programs businesses are developing. Employers claim theyj just want their employees to be healthy and happy. Maybe partially but it is bottom line about trying to find cheaper rates on healthcare insurance. Many employers are passing the rate increases onto the employeess without ideal biometrics. Those that are not most likely will in the future. Although they can't be blatantly discriminated against many are passing on hiring the chubbiest in this economy (I. Just got lucky) because they can't afford increasing costs. They can afford to do that. Airlines cannot.

Sorry to get off track. I agree to. special chubby row ideal. Since they don't mind squishing others I am sure they are willing to share their space as well.

 

[Ken555]

As I read this thread, I can only think of this...

 

[pjrose]

Why not have three that may find the need for more room in the same three seat row? Then the problem would be obvious and they can decide to sit and bear it or make other arrangements.

I was thinking that too....

I just move the stuff. I will look right at the person and ask, "is this yours?" and hand it to them.

If they say anything, I say, "Oh, did your purse pay for that seat?" It is amazing to me how many of those blank stares that I get. Ian is always horrified when I do this.
.

Hee hee....I say things like that all the time..."Oh, do you need some help picking up that *** you dropped?" "You might not have noticed, but there's a trash can right over there for your ****" and so forth.

I think *some* of the posts in this thread are proving one thing. That discrimination toward the obese is for some reason one of the last still acceptable forms of discrimination in America, rather sad.

Edited to add: This isn't directed at the original post, just some of the responses I have read.

I agree. Some are focusing more on the obese than on the issue of having one's space invaded while on a plane.

 

[ScoopKona]

If I were made dictator, I'd institute a rule that anyone who needs one of those seat belt extenders should buy an extra ticket. That's my barometer for who is too fat. If they don't want to pay double, they can lay off the donuts until they fit in the seat.

And it has to be across the board. If we excuse the unfortunate people who have Prader-Willi syndrome, every numbnuts morbidly-obese passenger will run to get a note from their doctor saying they're exempt.

And the doctors will give the permission slips, just like they do for the numbnuts pet owners who can't bare to be separated from "Woogums the incontinent cat" for a few hours. They'll make the entire cabin suffer so they can have their pet with them, urinating and voiding the entire transcontinental flight.

 

[dioxide45]

I dunno, you can't control the color of your skin, you can't control the sex you were born with, or what your face looks like, or what religion you were born into, but you sure can control how much gravy you put on your potatoes, how many times you go to McDonald's, whether you get the large fries or the salad, and how many times you get that Big Gulp at 7Eleven.

Just sayin'.....

See below. Just because it is something that someone can control, it doesn't mean it isn't discrimination.

Sorry to inform you - fat is not a "protected group" - so they can't be "discriminated" against.

Definition:dis·crim·i·na·tion  - treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit.

Your statement is ridiculous, you don't have to be a "protected group" to be discriminated against. Your statement only applies to people applying for employment. Any time someone has a negative attitude toward a group of people for the way they look, where they are from, etc, it is discrimination. People have negativities toward people with big noses, blond hair, short, tall, people living in shabby houses, people living in nice big houses, the rich, the poor. It doesn't have to be a protected group under employment law or hate crime to be considered discrimination. Thus why I said it is still one of the last *acceptable* forms of discrimination, it isn't illegal.

If saying they aren't a "protected group" makes you feel better about some of the attitudes displayed here, more power to you.

 

[dioxide45]

It is coming. Look at all the wellness programs businesses are developing. Employers claim theyj just want their employees to be healthy and happy. Maybe partially but it is bottom line about trying to find cheaper rates on healthcare insurance. Many employers are passing the rate increases onto the employeess without ideal biometrics. Those that are not most likely will in the future. Although they can't be blatantly discriminated against many are passing on hiring the chubbiest in this economy (I. Just got lucky) because they can't afford increasing costs. They can afford to do that. Airlines cannot.

Those wellness programs have come along because many of the companies have received government grants that cover most of the costs. I think some of it is more about negotiating power with the insurance companies. If they can show that they are offering these services and the employees as a whole are healthier than average, they can perhaps get better rates on group coverage.

Right now if a company offers group health insurance, everyone's cost is the same, it doesn't matter if they have good biometrics or bad ones.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree. Some are focusing more on the obese than on the issue of having one's space invaded while on a plane.

I think that some people need to remember that those obese that they are referring to are very well also fellow Tuggers. Keep it to the original issue, where I also agree that there is an issue.

 

[vacationhopeful]

...Right now if a company offers group health insurance, everyone's cost is the same, it doesn't matter if they have good biometrics or bad ones.

Many, many large companies are SELF-INSURED. If you eliminate the unhealthy life-styles (not just the over-sized, but smokers, drinkers, risk-takers, etc), they will IMPROVE their bottom line directly. They do have backup policies for extremely large claims (kidney failure, new age cancer drugs, etc), but joint replacement, heart bypass, etc are self-insured with rates negociated with large care providers.

They pay a Blue Cross or Horizon or Amerihealth to PROCESS claims (administration fees).

 

[dioxide45]

Many, many large companies are SELF-INSURED. If you eliminate the unhealthy life-styles (not just the over-sized, but smokers, drinkers, risk-takers, etc), they will IMPROVE their bottom line directly. They do have backup policies for extremely large claims (kidney failure, new age cancer drugs, etc), but joint replacement, heart bypass, etc are self-insured with rates negociated with large care providers.

They pay a Blue Cross or Horizon or Amerihealth to PROCESS claims (administration fees).

While self insured, they are still providing group coverage, not individual coverage. Right now Health Assessments and biometrics are not required by all employees, these programs are voluntary. You can't charge one person more money because they are obese when you may have another one that sits in the cube next to them that didn't voluntarily take the screening to prove they are or are not obese.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Since this has turned into a discussion on health and insurance premiums:

Personally i hate that health is defined just by someones weight, i know a lot of people who, if just going by their BMI are considered Obese, but they are literally gym rats, one i know actually competes in yearly triathlons. If the ACTUAL health of these people was put up against 90% of those with BMI's in the 'normal weight' section, they'd wipe the flow with them

If i spent a year at the gym i could easily hit the 240lbs(25-30 more pounds) required to be in the 'obese' catagory with a BMI above 30, but with my frame and family medical history, i'd look fine and still be healthy

 

[dbmarch]

What a funny thread...Feel for you as I have been there a number of times flying for work.

Isn't it as simple as this?

You pay good money to rent the space (seat). (Remember you are not allowed to stand or be in the aisle) This is what was sold to you. So someone else should not take it! There isn't much comfort left these days on planes.

I would have first asked the individual to keep to their space and nudged a little back.

If still not resolved, I would have gotten up and spoken to the attendant to let the attendant know this was happening. ( a quick photo would be a good idea. if the 'big' person sees you , tell them you are sending it to the airlines).

Finally if it wasn't resolved by the time I landed, I would have spent my time on the plane writing a letter to the airlines with all the details and the photo. The letter would go out as soon as I had internet!

No matter how you look at it, the person that does not fit in their seat is at fault and should either buy another seat, move to another seat or not fly in the seat next to me!

It doesn't matter why they are big.

 

[timeos2]

Now "Woogums the IC" can't travel anymore? He hardly wet your backpack (& the sandwiches you packed) at all! That's it! Back to Greyhound for us.

 

[K&PFitz]

Why do people put their overcoats into overheads? I don't get it. Keep your coat in your seat and stop hogging the overhead compartments. I went to put my carryon, a small one, into the overhead and piled three coats together, because the stupid people had them lining the entire area of that overhead. Made me nuts! Hey, I just want one spot for my small bag.

This reminded me of our last trip. A woman in front of us had been one of the first in our section to board, and had laid a nice jacket in the overhead, covering the bottom of the overhead. As others started to put luggage in the overhead, she started yelling, "watch my jacket!" I think she thought the overhead belonged to only her. One passenger misunderstood, and handed her the jacket. The last I noticed it was in a ball on top of the carryon bags.

Just for the record, I'm one of those that wants the cheapest flight possible, with my other criteria being the number of connections and length of layovers. I've given up on comfort. Just get me to where I'm going.