I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with almost everything said here.
I wasn't talking about charging via poundage. That doesn't exactly make a lot of sense, since anybody from say 0-250lbs will be able to squeeze into a single seat. I'm talking about an additional surcharge. It would allow the airlines to place a certain number of enlarged seats in coach, and force anybody who doesn't fit into a normal seat to pay a surcharge. If that were to fill up, they could have the option of a first class ticket, or two seats, or the next flight.
Being fat is not a disability in my opinion. Not in any way shape or form. Battling with being overweight, lol. Uh-huh. What a battle. Don't eat the ding dong. Drug abuse a disability? Nope. These examples are lifestyle choices. You choose to eat too much or not to exercise. You choose to take drugs, other than medical prescription abuse, which should be paid for by the appropriate party.
I don't know where I ever said to deny access to the public airlines? I just said it needs to have fair access.
People in this thread seem to think the airlines make money???? Wake up and smell the coffee, it's been brewing all morning. The airlines have never been very profitable. I know how all big business is evil (most of them pay for your jobs, and your standard of living). Why should big businesses, which generally make MUCH less than a smaller business per unit sold, have to foot the bill? It certainly would be great if the airlines increased seat size wouldn't it? Maybe the folks in here would like to pay 20% more for airfare? There is a profitability model to follow. The airlines must follow it or they'll fold. Many already have, and I'm dumbfounded when they attempt to secure money and start back up in an industry that has proven to be unprofitable.
The bleeding heart syndrome in this country is destroying OUR standard of living. The increase in the cost of living and taxes can be directly traced back to uncontrolled government spending and the US citizen's undying desire to right any wrong, and help everybody. I'm not saying it's bad to be generous. I think people in the US are good people, for the most part. What I am saying is we need to budget ourselves and control our spending. Not give till it hurts, and then criticize when businesses don't do the same, and instead seek reasonable profits. That's what our system is founded on. Profit. Supply and demand. This unceasing desire to make everything bad in the world somehow personal needs to end. It's not personal, and you don't need to feel as though you owe another person for them making a mistake or consciously making life difficult on themselves.
Jayna, please don't take my sentiments in the above post to somehow include your son. He didn't choose his condition. It just happened.
I don't have the wisdom to properly analyze right and wrong in your situation. All I can do is hope somehow the technology, and the skills of people can learn how to heal the wrongs that are inflicted upon innocent people by life.