Here's a brief article from last Sunday's NY Times travel section. It raises a number of complex questions facing the increasingly stressed transportation industry. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to read but think about its implications for: 1) Airline policy, 2) Discrimination, 3) Passenger rights and 4) Ethical behavior.
As an airline exec what would you do?
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8567818756646018844
Upon completion of this article, I realize that the issue with large travelers seems to be relatively new for airlines. The issue seems to stem from the airline’s decision to increase their profit margin by maximizing each flight’s capacity; therefore, resulting in less space for each passenger. The policies currently implemented by airlines such as the “armrest” and the “seatbelt” policy are not very effective since it can only be determined after the passengers are already onboard. Using the armrest of seatbelt to determine if a person is obese only creates humiliation for the individual and a major inconvenience for those who are already boarded. If I were to be an airline executive, I would prefer to change the policy to be based on weight. Since we are already weighing out luggage during check-in, installing a scale in front of the check-in counter should not be that difficult. Those over the weight of 275 pounds will need to pay an additional fee based on a scale system that is similar to our luggage fees. I feel that this option is better than forcing an obese individual to pay for two seats because the price of two seats is very steep. For airlines, weight is related to how much gasoline is consumed by an airplane; therefore, the “weight” policy would certainly be appropriate when compared to what the airlines are doing with limiting the weight of a luggage. Reverting back to the times that airplanes were bigger and people have more space to themselves would certainly be the best option but in this economy and the unstable price of gasoline, we can only hope.
ReplyDeleteTo me to weigh in front of the counter is humiliating also. There's got to be a more discreet way to work with clients that are overweight. Because of the make up of the seating I believe charging for the second seat at least a partial payment is the only way to be fair to the other clients. Until flights have larger seating areas like the first class section this will remain a difficult situation.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article I still believe more than ever there needs to be some seating specifically for the larger passenger. The picture I saw on the blog had to be uncomfortable for the passenger and the person next to him. It almost seems a safety hazard that someone that large could sit on the aisle seat where they hang off the seat and in the way of staff. I would charge a sit and a half and not put anyone beside that passenger.
ReplyDeleteThe issue when it comes to the weight and size of passengers is such a touchy subject. You continually hear on the news that the U.S. is becoming more obese. It's clear that this issue will remain for some time.
ReplyDeleteAs an airline exec, I think it would only be fair to charge those passengers who don't meet the space requirements for an extra seat. As embarrassing as it may be for the obese person, you have to consider all parties involved. We all know that we don't have enough space on a plane the way it is. Obese people can't possibly be comfortable being crammed into one seat, and neither is the person who gets stuck sitting beside them.
Maybe the airlines shouldn't charge the full amount for the extra seat, but rather a partial charge should be implemented. While of course, there is revenue to be lost by losing a full-price ticket and passenger, I would like to think that I would have a customer loyalty that would result in future sales because I took their consideration into account.
To me it gets to the heart of travel ethics, corporate responsibility, traveler's responsibility (large person) and the larger issue of travelers rights (those impacted directly and indirectly by the large traveler). You can be sure that there are folks out there that believe treating the large person in any way differently that the smaller one is an act of discrimination. But what is fair for all concerned?
ReplyDeleteSetting the policy for this type of situation is evidently delicate and the guidelines should be established with vigilance. Although these airline companies obviously don’t want to lose any money and have every right to protect their establishments, the passenger needs come first especially pertaining to a sensitive situation such as weight. To insure both the company and the passenger are protected, as an executive of the airline company, I would make sure that the guidelines are clearly and thoroughly stated and explained when the passengers are in the beginning stages of booking the flight. A disclaimer statement of some sort should be presented warning passengers if they choose to ignore the policies, they are booking their flights under these circumstances at their own risk. Now, mistakes will happen and some mishaps will slip through the cracks, so when a situation does arise, it should be handled in the most ethical, subtle, and less discriminatory way possible, even if that means taking a small loss. As far as fees, I don’t think that it is fair that overweight passengers should pay the full amounts of two seats, but are denied double the carry-on bags and charged more to check a second bag. People in the situation are probably embarrassed enough, and now they have to pay for it as well? But, at the same time I don’t think that the airline should be held accountable for the passenger’s health state. For situations such as these, special discounts or different rates should apply to keep, not only the passenger happy and comfortable but, for the airline company to remain profitable and competitive.
ReplyDeleteEnsuring the safety and comfort of all the passengers aboard the aircraft is a multi-faceted issue for airlines. While they want everyone to feel comfortable, they have to ensure that the flight is one, safe and two, that one passenger's comfort is not detrimental to another's. Every passenger deserves to be treated with respect and to travel without humiliation or discomfort and for largely obese passengers it canb be quite a challenge to find a happy medium. I believe one option would be to reserve a number of seats that were larger to accomodate larger people for a higher price. This would provide a more comfortable option for larger people and the incresed rate for the seat would offset any charges the airline accrued for fuel and additional weight.
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