DALLAS, TX -
It is a tight squeeze when frequent flyer and former football player, Lee Musgrave, gets into a seat in coach on American Airlines.
Musgrave can't imagine being charged extra because of his size. "Who is going to say that. Some lady is going to have to make that call".
The weight of passengers has become an issue after a picture began circulating on aviation blogs. The photo, taken by a flight attendant, shows a large man who is overflowing his seat into the aisle. The picture is sparking debate about whether hefty passengers should pay extra.
American passenger, Robert Bussone says there should be an extra charge. "Pay extra for a larger seat toward first class that would accommodate the person. I think that would work best". But, Eleanor Thornton disagrees. "I feel like overweight people should not be charged because it could be a health issue", says Thornton.
A spokesman for American Airlines says charging extra is a last resort. "Depending on the customer's schedule needs, we do charge for two seats, but certainly not all the time", says Tim Smith. Smith says safety was never in question on the flight featured in the picture.
Dallas aviation attorney, Kent Krause says it is a tough situation for airlines to deal with obese flyers. "I think it is a touchy situation". Krause, who wrote a book on passenger rights, says size is a weighty issue when the passenger has already boarded the plane. "What happens in a situation like what you saw in the picture is that some courts have said that is too late and you need to do something else for that passenger".
Southwest Airlines enforces an old policy that requires charging portly people for two seats. An airline official says the second seat is discounted and the cost can be refunded, if the plane isn't full. United Airlines has also implemented a policy to charge overweight passengers, more.
Musgrave can't imagine being charged extra because of his size. "Who is going to say that. Some lady is going to have to make that call".
The weight of passengers has become an issue after a picture began circulating on aviation blogs. The photo, taken by a flight attendant, shows a large man who is overflowing his seat into the aisle. The picture is sparking debate about whether hefty passengers should pay extra.
American passenger, Robert Bussone says there should be an extra charge. "Pay extra for a larger seat toward first class that would accommodate the person. I think that would work best". But, Eleanor Thornton disagrees. "I feel like overweight people should not be charged because it could be a health issue", says Thornton.
A spokesman for American Airlines says charging extra is a last resort. "Depending on the customer's schedule needs, we do charge for two seats, but certainly not all the time", says Tim Smith. Smith says safety was never in question on the flight featured in the picture.
Dallas aviation attorney, Kent Krause says it is a tough situation for airlines to deal with obese flyers. "I think it is a touchy situation". Krause, who wrote a book on passenger rights, says size is a weighty issue when the passenger has already boarded the plane. "What happens in a situation like what you saw in the picture is that some courts have said that is too late and you need to do something else for that passenger".
Southwest Airlines enforces an old policy that requires charging portly people for two seats. An airline official says the second seat is discounted and the cost can be refunded, if the plane isn't full. United Airlines has also implemented a policy to charge overweight passengers, more.
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