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View Full Version : Jetstar forces 160kg woman to buy 2 seats


NickN
3rd February 2009, 08:40 AM
A WOMAN who weighs 160kg is outraged that she was forced to pay for a second seat on a Jetstar flight "for other people's comfort".

Samantha Scafe, who was taking a Jetstar flight from Cairns to Coolangatta today, claims that when she made her booking on January 15 was told not to worry about paying for a second seat because Jetstar staff said "we can get around the policy of charging a big person for two seats".

Opinion: The right to remove fat kids

"I was told by Jetstar to phone the night before my flight to book excess luggage and not to worry about paying for the second seat," Ms Scafe told The Cairns Post yesterday.

"Then on Saturday, they advised me to book and pay for a second seat for other people’s comfort because of my size … and, would you believe, they then made a further mistake which I later noticed on the web by splitting up my seats so they weren’t next to each other."

Jetstar late yesterday apologised to Ms Scafe but said it was not policy to provide overweight customers with a two-for-the-price-of-one deal.

Ms Scafe said she had cited in discussions with Jetstar a Canadian court ruling last November that overweight people could have two seats for the price of one.

She said she had filed a complaint with Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland.




http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25001130-5013605,00.html

Greg F
3rd February 2009, 08:44 AM
For starters, this is Australia NOT Canada
Secondly, I weigh half her weight, can I get half price flights? NO.

Imagine the poor people/person stuck sitting next to her! :eek:

I know it sounds mean but its a fact, she is Huge and occupies a lot of space.

Robert Zweck
3rd February 2009, 09:08 AM
She is double the standard pax weight.

Andrew P
3rd February 2009, 09:41 AM
For starters, this is Australia NOT Canada
Secondly, I weigh half her weight, can I get half price flights? NO.

Imagine the poor people/person stuck sitting next to her! :eek:

I know it sounds mean but its a fact, she is Huge and occupies a lot of space.

so what? the airline shoud have bigger seats

hope she sues the butt of JetStar

Michael Morrison
3rd February 2009, 09:56 AM
so what? the airline shoud have bigger seats



Why should they? I certainly don't want to have to pay higher fares, simply because she cant be bothered to live a healthy lifestyle.

Greg F
3rd February 2009, 09:59 AM
so what? the airline shoud have bigger seats

hope she sues the butt of JetStar

Why, Should they have a 'fat' section?
You pay more for space in Business class or First class

Completely 100% disagree with you!

Craig Murray
3rd February 2009, 10:31 AM
My sister is crewing this flight today and told me the flight was met by a massive media contingent at Cooly on arrival. Perhaps they're all wanting to speak with the aforementioned bulky passenger?

Have to agree though, I don't think it unreasonable that she should have to pork up for an extra seat and agree with Greg F that if the larger folk get a two for the price of one seat deal then that is discriminating against those of us who have to pay the same price but only receive on seat.

If you can't fit in the seat you need to seriously consider your options:

a) find alternate transport
b) buy two seats
c) spend the money you would spend on the second seat on a gym membership

Good on Jetstar, or any other airline, prepared to stand their ground on this one.

Rhys Xanthis
3rd February 2009, 11:26 AM
I dont see why she shouldn't expect to pay for 2 seats, but the fact that Jetstar told her it would be ok to buy 1 seat only makes me think...

NickN
3rd February 2009, 12:02 PM
I dont see why she shouldn't expect to pay for 2 seats, but the fact that Jetstar told her it would be ok to buy 1 seat only makes me think...


......... that Jetstar really need to train their customer service staff better so they understand their own companies policies?

Matt R
3rd February 2009, 12:14 PM
Then on Saturday, they advised me to book and pay for a second seat for other people’s comfort because of my size … and, would you believe, they then made a further mistake which I later noticed on the web by splitting up my seats so they weren’t next to each other."

Jetstar screwed up, but I think he should have to pay for two seats.

Andrew P
3rd February 2009, 12:32 PM
c) spend the money you would spend on the second seat on a gym membership
&

because she cant be bothered to live a healthy lifestyle.
Obesity is a major problem in the world, and it’s a pity ignorance is still prevalent on this topic.

Compulsive eating is a greater addiction than heroin, alcohol, or gambling. At least with these addictions you can stop and take the pain, but one can’t stop eating.

A women who is 160kg is morbidly obese (may even be super obese), their is no fix she can herself do to sort her weight problem out, it needs major intervention e.g. lap banding, gastric bypass or similar.

Now I’m off my favourite hobby horse.

Banjo

Stephen Brown
3rd February 2009, 12:37 PM
So where does it end?

I've sat next to people who smell like they've rolled around in Pig Excretia, should I ask them to buy two seats so at least theres a smell buffer?

I've sat next to people who talk and talk oblivious to the fact that you want to sleep/read/listen to the movie. Should they be made to buy an extra seat so they don't bother other passengers.

How do you know that when you get on a plane the person next to you doesn't want to sit next to you?

Whats next? Not sitting next to other ethnicity's? Not sitting next to handicapped people because they may impede your exit in an emergency.

Insert whatever human foible you like as a reason for not wanting to sit next to them, is it really up to an indivdual to judge people?

I think that more people need to learn tolerance and be less judgmental.

If an airline needs to enforce the policy of large people requiring two seats, then make sure the policy is clear and well spelled out. Not piecemeal like Jetstar have done here.

Matt R
3rd February 2009, 12:37 PM
A women who is 160kg is morbidly obese (may even be super obese), their is no fix she can herself do to sort her weight problem out, it needs major intervention e.g. lap banding, gastric bypass or similar.

Sadly, it seems Sam has more problems (http://lgbtlawblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/transgendered-wins-recognition-as-woman.html) than being obese.

NickN
3rd February 2009, 03:03 PM
A women who is 160kg is morbidly obese (may even be super obese), their is no fix she can herself do to sort her weight problem out, it needs major intervention e.g. lap banding, gastric bypass or similar.


If they can lose weight on the biggest loser in 3 months or so, I am sure she could do it over 1 or 2 years herself (himself?). So I disagree.

And as for our intolerance of them, I find the word intolerance should be replaced with the word concern. I would be concerned having someone like that try and fit next to me, their fat flowing over into my space, their elbows and shoulders pushing into me. Everybody expects some level of comfort on any flight, even on a squashy domestic flight, which is bad enough with a normal sized person beside you.

It's hard to debate a topic like this without appearing to be intolerant when in fact we are just stating what we believe to be an uncomfortale situation for every other passenger except the overweight one.

Jason Carruthers
3rd February 2009, 04:34 PM
I'm not debating the fact that someone twice the size of a standard adult should buy an extra seat. But from the article it sounds like Ms Scafe actually contacted Jetstar while making the booking and then again the night before the flight and was told both times that there was no need to buy a second seat only to be told at check in that she needed to buy an extra seat if that was the case then I can understand why she would be upset. And the seats weren't even next to each over? does this mean that unless Jetstar moved passengers around to get 2 empty seat next to each over or did Ms Scafe just squeeze into the one seat while her other seat remained unoccupied despite being paid for?

I think Jetstar stuffed up here will be interesting to see where this goes



Jason

Raymond Rowe
3rd February 2009, 06:45 PM
My dad was a big person. He was not fat.Very solidly built and very tall.When we went to the states many moons ago he was unable to fit in an ordinary seat.He actually took half of my seat as well. So what would you all do in his case.He was also in the armed services.

Scott L.
3rd February 2009, 07:42 PM
I was forced to sit next to a large man on a flight from Darwin to Denpasar many years ago in an Ansett 737. I felt sorry for him but to accomodate his size I had to raise the armrest and move over towards my wife's seat who had also raised her armrest. Completely unfair and unpleasant flight and although the staff were sympathetic to me, they were unable to do anything about it as it was a full flight.

I was told that if the passenger is of large proportion and likely to require more space, it is the responsibility of the check-in staff to enforce the purchase of two seats. Dont know if this is still the case though today with Qantas, etc.

Needless to say, unfortunately in this electronic world, if it is not printed either in the Terms and Conditions or elsewhere and, if the call was not recorded, then there's no proof. Logically, anyone who believes that they can be entitled to another seat for free due to their size or expect the airline to re-organise the aircraft to accomodate the passenger is fooling themselves.


I dont know if Jetstar have just inserted this clause but it's on their website (http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/travel-info/limited-special-assistance.aspx)

Customers of size
Customers who are unable to lower both armrests (the definitive boundary between seats) and/or who compromise any part of adjacent seating should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel, by purchasing a second seat or alternatively, purchasing a StarClass seat (where available).

Greg W.
3rd February 2009, 08:50 PM
So where does it end?

I've sat next to people who smell like they've rolled around in Pig Excretia, should I ask them to buy two seats so at least theres a smell buffer?

...

I think that more people need to learn tolerance and be less judgmental.

I agree with your entire post.

I would be more interested in the airlines establishing and enforcing a policy where pax who smell offensively must purchase one seat in every direction from them.

Jason Carruthers
3rd February 2009, 09:30 PM
Sadly, it seems Sam has more problems (http://lgbtlawblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/transgendered-wins-recognition-as-woman.html) than being obese.


From that sounds like she/he is a complete media addict who always has something to bitch about.





Jason

Ash W
3rd February 2009, 10:50 PM
I notice this line in the above paper article... "... Then on Saturday, they advised me to book and pay for a second seat for other people’s comfort because of my size … and, would you believe, they then made a further mistake which I later noticed on the web by splitting up my seats so they weren’t next to each other. ..."

Seems odd to me. I thought Jetstar domestic had a non allocated seating policy. So how could this be true. Or have things changed at Jetstar domestic?

The whole thing is wrong though and is a sign of people not taking responsibility for themselves.

Daniel F
3rd February 2009, 10:54 PM
Seems odd to me. I thought Jetstar domestic had a non allocated seating policy. So how could this be true. Or have things changed at Jetstar domestic?


Things changed a long time ago! Jetstar is the only domestic airline that offers free seat selection at the time of booking.

Ash W
4th February 2009, 12:10 AM
Things changed a long time ago! Jetstar is the only domestic airline that offers free seat selection at the time of booking.

That is good to hear. When did they change this? I thought they only had allocated seating for the international flights!

NickN
4th February 2009, 06:19 AM
Almost every morbidly obese person I have ever known has hated the world. They all seem to think they have been dealt the wrong cards in life and blame everyone else for their size and misfortune other than themselves.

The rest of society has a right to be intolerant of them if they believe they are owed something because they are big, and expect it for free when any other normal size passenger would have to pay for that extra seat.

If you send freight, you pay by cubic volume, if you hire a taxi truck you pay per pallet space, if you go to Storage King you pay for the size of the area you need. Same with fat people on planes, you pay for the space you need, you take up more than one seat, you pay for 2 seats in economy, or upgrade to business or first class.

Mark Howarth
4th February 2009, 07:32 AM
NickN, I agree with your comments, but Jetstar did stuff up twice.

A) Sam was told via the contact centre that she did not need to purchase any extra seats due to the fact the flight had plenty of seats remaining. However on the day of the flight, it was nearly full.

B) When Sam had to buy the 2 seats, the seats that she had to buy were A and F in the sam row.... Sam has said that if it was Seats A and B, she would not have kicked up a fuss.

NickN
4th February 2009, 08:10 AM
Sam says alot of things, all she/he had to do was get one of the hostesses onboard to rectify the seating issue and move some pax around. I am sure if she explained she purchased 2 seats coz of his/her size but the counter staff accidentally gave her separate seats the hostess would have no issue with assisting.

Sometimes these people overlook the simple solution in favour of making a fuss. You have to then think to yourself was this just an attention grabbing exercise?

Stephen Brown
4th February 2009, 08:12 AM
Almost every morbidly obese person I have ever known has hated the world. They all seem to think they have been dealt the wrong cards in life and blame everyone else for their size and misfortune other than themselves.

Wow, So first off you Stereotype all overweight people....

The rest of society has a right to be intolerant of them if they believe they are owed something because they are big, and expect it for free when any other normal size passenger would have to pay for that extra seat.

And now your saying that they should get less respect in society.

That has got to be the most asinine post I've seen from you to this day.

Lucky people aren't intolerant of stupid people or you would have a really hard time in this life Nick.....

NickN
4th February 2009, 08:26 AM
I based my "opinion" (remember it's MY opinion based on people I have known) on my own personal experience.

And I did say that the rest of society has the right to be intolerant of them if they believe they are owed something because they are big, and expect it for free when any other normal size passenger would have to pay for that extra seat.

Large people who don't expect special treatment because of their size are fine with me. It's the ones who think they are owed something due to their size that the rest of society is not afforded that makes me upset.

Lucky people aren't intolerant of stupid people or you would have a really hard time in this life Nick.....

I don't mind you arguing your point but personal insults aren't needed.

Daniel F
4th February 2009, 08:28 AM
That is good to hear. When did they change this? I thought they only had allocated seating for the international flights!

Not sure exactly when... but here's a press release from April 2007 that mentions preallocated seating.

http://www.jetstar.com/~/media/files/pdf/news/2007/apr/20070410.ashx

EDIT: Was actually earlier than that... October 2006 was when preallocated seating was introduced: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20519923-662,00.html

Philip Argy
4th February 2009, 08:30 AM
What would happen if no-one knew until the passenger presented at boarding that they would not fit in a standard seat, especially on a smaller a/c? Are they offloaded or charged extra like excess baggage or what?

So far as I'm concerned, I'm entitled to have both armrests down and if the person next to me can't fit in that space it's their bad luck. Tall people often travel b/c to get the extra leg room so I don't see why people of large girth cannot do the same.

I don't pay less than adult fare for a 5 year old who wants her own seat, so I don't see why a person who can't fit in a single seat shouldn't have to buy two adjacent seats.

The allocation of non-adjoining seats was obviously a mistake unless the allocation of C and D seats was a check-in staff in-joke!

Philip Argy
4th February 2009, 08:33 AM
Almost every morbidly obese person I have ever known has hated the world.

Most large people I know actually tend to be pretty happy-go-lucky folk. But perhaps if she hated herself that would explain the allocation of non-adjoining seats? :D

NickN
4th February 2009, 08:48 AM
But perhaps if she hated herself that would explain the allocation of non-adjoining seats?


Once they allocated the appropriate seat she was beside herself:D:D

Montague S
4th February 2009, 10:30 AM
^

now I know why you're on my ignore list.