Lose weight, fly for less?

Published on November 5, 2004 By Danny Bassette In Travel

So I was reading the paper today and there was an article about airplanes and how the average weight of the passengers has gone up, which has increased fuel used, and decreased profits. And this got me thinking...
When I send letters/packages I pay by weight. Or by weight range, whatever. I don't think the do the same with planes, at least not yet (not that i've flown lately, so i could be ignorant, won't stop me from typing

). But it does make some sense, and it would be hilarious to see implemented.
You'd have the ticket base price, plus whatever per pound (or gram, whatever weight unit you want, isn't imporant). But, since people have been known to lie, you'd need to check them before boarding. So, along with all the security stuff and what not, you'd have a scale to weigh everyone. They could have it display your weight in giant numbers so whoever was checking could do so easily (not so that everyone else waiting to board can see your weight too). As if it wasn't embarassing enough already. It would be funny to watch, or at least i think it would be.
And who knows, it might cause people to eat less/exercise more/take better care of themselves. Or not, look how well gas prices have increased the number of suv's and such.

Comments

crimson

on Nov 06, 2004

Holy hell, what an idea! I wonder how many people won't be travelling by air if something like this were to be implemented!

Danny Bassette

on Nov 06, 2004

No idea, but with all the financial trouble the airlines seem to be having, something like this happening would surprise me not at all. Of course, then the people of above average weight would sue due to descrimination...

Angloesque

on Nov 21, 2004

I actually have been weighed before stepping foot onto an aeroplane. Of course it was a puddle jumper in Fiji so they had to know just how much we and our baggage weighed. And being in the company of a bunch of 110-lb women was fun, as I don't know that I ever weighed that. So when I got on and tipped the scales in however many kilograms (roughly equivalent to 200 lbs), they all shut up.

Oh, but I had my bags on the scale, too.

*smirks*

(They had weighed themselves and then weighed their luggage separately.)

Anyway, I had a point....oh yeah: If customers are embarrassed about how much they weigh, just have them step on the scale with their luggage. Then we know how much the whole package costs, not just the person. (And it might help people pack less crap, too.)

-A.

Danny Bassette

on Nov 21, 2004

That is a good idea, and your right, if they charged by weight they would have to consider both passenger and luggage.

iamheather

on Nov 21, 2004

Love the Idea Danny! Although the lawyers would have a field day with your idea. It wouldn't last long.

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

Anyway, I had a point....oh yeah: If customers are embarrassed about how much they weigh, just have them step on the scale with their luggage. Then we know how much the whole package costs, not just the person.

That's a brilliant idea, Angloesque.

Angloesque

on Nov 21, 2004

Y'know, there could just be a flat $1/lb rate for major flights: Me flying to Chicago would be $170-ish; a kid would only cost $30 - $80; a fat guy would be like $400. There could be a min and a max. so the airlines could be sure to profit....

I guess it would be kinda hard to buy bargain tickets though, eh? Or buy online....

Bah. Stupid flaws. They ruin all my great plans. (Or, in this case, Danny's plan that I hijacked.)

-A.

Danny Bassette

on Nov 21, 2004

Your welcome to hijack my plan, I just took what the paper said and ran with it while trying to be funny

Texas Wahine

on Nov 21, 2004

You know, that might actually encourage people to lose weight. The one thing we Americans like more than food is money!

Angloesque

on Nov 21, 2004

I feel compelled to offer that my $170 is me and my baggage (yes, emotional baggage too). Though I actually have no idea how heavy luggage is, but when I backback it's like a 30-lb pack, so that was my general idea. (See, I'm already trying to lose weight before I get on the plane.)

Another flaw in my plan: You wouldn't be charged for the stuff you buy in the airport, which is a rip-off, anyway.

But there is a bonus: If the airline loses your luggage, they'll have to reimburse you for it.

-A.

Danny Bassette

on Nov 21, 2004

I don't see not being charged for the stuff in the airpoprt as a flaw, as you said it's a rip-off, so their charging you there.

citahellion

on Nov 22, 2004

I guess they won't let me open my bowling-ball store in the airport if this goes into effect....

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