Comments on: Australia Proposes “Tubby Tax” for Obese Travelers http://www.vagabondish.com/australia-proposes-tubby-tax-for-obese-travelers/ The Travelzine for Today's Vagabond Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:10:03 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mike http://www.vagabondish.com/australia-proposes-tubby-tax-for-obese-travelers/comment-page-1/#comment-3513 Mike Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:16:43 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/australia-proposes-tubby-tax-for-obese-travelers/#comment-3513 This debate really frosts the asses of a good many people here in the States. And it's mainly because of ignorant political correctness. You're right, Al: it's simple business math. More weight means more fuel and more fuel means higher costs. Why should the airlines have to absorb that? Should all restaurants be all-you-can-eat buffets where the businesses are forced to absorb the cost of someone who can scarf down 10 courses in a single sitting? Of course not. If you're using/consuming more "stuff", you (the consumer) are the one who should have to pay the additional cost. This debate really frosts the asses of a good many people here in the States. And it’s mainly because of ignorant political correctness.

You’re right, Al: it’s simple business math. More weight means more fuel and more fuel means higher costs. Why should the airlines have to absorb that?

Should all restaurants be all-you-can-eat buffets where the businesses are forced to absorb the cost of someone who can scarf down 10 courses in a single sitting? Of course not.

If you’re using/consuming more “stuff”, you (the consumer) are the one who should have to pay the additional cost.

]]> By: Al http://www.vagabondish.com/australia-proposes-tubby-tax-for-obese-travelers/comment-page-1/#comment-3464 Al Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:20:52 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/australia-proposes-tubby-tax-for-obese-travelers/#comment-3464 I've always wondered why the airlines charged overweight charges for baggage but not overweight charges for people. Personally, I think it would be very fair to have a policy that allows you to bring 300 pounds of stuff (this means you plus your luggage) for the price of your fare. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you get a 150 pound baggage allowance, and if you weigh 250 pounds, you'd better only bring a 50 pound suitcase. As a 200 pound person, 1 feel that 100 pounds worth of baggage is more than enough. If you weigh much more than that, you'd probably better buy two seats anyway, to avoid encroaching upon the others in your row. Or fly first class, where the seats are wider. I’ve always wondered why the airlines charged overweight charges for baggage but not overweight charges for people. Personally, I think it would be very fair to have a policy that allows you to bring 300 pounds of stuff (this means you plus your luggage) for the price of your fare. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you get a 150 pound baggage allowance, and if you weigh 250 pounds, you’d better only bring a 50 pound suitcase. As a 200 pound person, 1 feel that 100 pounds worth of baggage is more than enough. If you weigh much more than that, you’d probably better buy two seats anyway, to avoid encroaching upon the others in your row. Or fly first class, where the seats are wider.

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