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The majority in this Country are overweight according to recent government studies, since we as taxpayers are already subsidizing the airlines I don't see why they can't accomodate people when they do buy passage.

Danielle, i recommend that you be the first to send your increased charitable contribution to the U.S. Government so that you may put your money where your mouth is. You are free to think and say what you wish. Don't expect or demand the rest of us (many of whom the government forgot to include in the stats you read) who are not overweight...or oversized...to subsidize someone's weight-problem to pay for your hypersensitivity--or their obesity (no, MOST are not fat because of genetics). The fact that the gov't subsidizes the airlines is *not* necessarily a *good* thing, to begin with. (I had this silly notion that we lived in a republic and not a socialistic nation.) They subsidize druggies' needle exchange programs, too. Yea, that's a beautiful (and sensitive) thing, too, isn't it?

You must not fly often, either Danielle, if you've never been on over-booked flights. And, maybe you like the close contact with someone sitting ON you, and not NEXT to you? Will you subsidize (personally, of course) those of us who have bruises from someone sitting on us, or subsidize our dry-cleaning bills we incur for re-pressing our clothes when we reach our destination? Just wondering, of course ;-)

I don't believe I ever implied or said that I agreed with subsidizing the airlines, and the government takes wnough of my money - I am not going to send them more, nor am I going to pay your doctor bills, which I doubt you have just because a large person sat next to you. Your post makes no sense in regard to mine.

Don't expect or demand the rest of us (many of whom the government forgot to include in the stats you read) who are not overweight...or oversized...to subsidize someone's weight-problem to pay for your hypersensitivity--or their obesity (no, MOST are not fat because of genetics).

What about people with long legs (I'm one of them) who end up scrunched up and banging into the person's seat in front of them due to the lack of room? If the airlines can get away with making overweight passengers buy two seats, then the next thing they'll do is charge tall people for two seats (or maybe three, if they try to put their seat back). And unlike weight, you can't change your height!

BTW, Southwest Airlines, the airline in this article, does not have a first class section, or assigned seating, so this man would be unable to purchase a larger seat.