Would you be comfortable providing your weight to an airline?

[Brian J.]

People have allowed themselves to become comfortable with any amount of being poked, prodded, and questioned about every aspect of their lives. When is enough, enough? No I would not tell them my weight, any more than I would tell them my blood type, or any other useless trivial information they wish to gather.

 

[58Bassman]

Look at it another weigh...
If the airline asked your weight because it was important for the safe operation of the plane, would you tell them?

I watched a video with Rickie Gervais telling about a flight to the US- he said that two women came in, one described as obese and the other as 'beyond obese'. They were seated on the same side of the aisle and he went to the crew to ask if someone from the other side should trade seats because their excessive weight could cause the plane to veer into Canada.

He then said that one of them had come with a bucket of fast food and as she ate it, turned to the other and said "This is the best fried chicken I've had all day". All day??????????? She eats more than one bucket in a day?

 

[58Bassman]

People have allowed themselves to become comfortable with any amount of being poked, prodded, and questioned about every aspect of their lives. When is enough, enough? No I would not tell them my weight, any more than I would tell them my blood type, or any other useless trivial information they wish to gather.

You do know that all aircraft have weight limits, right? If they know the total weight of the passengers, they then know how much baggage and other payload can be added. They carry mail and other packages to receive revenue and that allows them to charge less for passengers.

If you're being serious, you're being selfish and obstinate/paranoid.

 

[Ricky D.]

The airline could easily put in a scale pad that you would step on as you check in.

 

[58Bassman]

Ron White tells about a flight where one of the engines went out. The person next to him started to freak out and asked how far the plane would go if it lost another engine and he said "All the way to the crash site".

 

[58Bassman]

The airline could easily put in a scale pad that you would step on as you check in.

And it wouldn't need to be visible, but I would expect someone to sue for invasion of privacy after finding out.

Sure, put personal feelings and petty BS over the safety of the plane, passengers, crew and who/whatever is on the ground in the flight path.

 

[bobio]

If it will ensure a proper weight and balance distribution on the aircraft, heck yes I would give it to them.
Why ask, just build scales into the floor at the gate. As each passenger's ticket is checked, store their weight.

 

[omahaaudio]

I watched a video with Rickie Gervais telling about a flight to the US- he said that two women came in, one described as obese and the other as 'beyond obese'. They were seated on the same side of the aisle and he went to the crew to ask if someone from the other side should trade seats because their excessive weight could cause the plane to veer into Canada.

He then said that one of them had come with a bucket of fast food and as she ate it, turned to the other and said "This is the best fried chicken I've had all day". All day??????????? She eats more than one bucket in a day?

Ricky Gervais is a comedian, and a very good one, but what does his anecdotal (at best) tale of two overweight women have to do with the question of your getting (at the moment) voluntarily weighed before boarding an airplane?

 

[omahaaudio]

I would not tell them my weight, any more than I would tell them my blood type, or any other useless trivial information they wish to gather.

Then, at some point, expect to be denied boarding, unless you're willing to pay the extra charge for a 400 pound passenger.

 

[omahaaudio]

And it wouldn't need to be visible, but I would expect someone to sue for invasion of privacy after finding out.

Nonsensical thinking like that is why the scale will be visible.

 

[omahaaudio]

When I was young, flying was glorious. It was classy. You dressed for it. You were treated well by the staff and, everyone was respectful and kind and while Carson might make jokes about the food, but generally, flying was just amazing. Sitting in a chair going like 500 mph and being treated like respect, like someone who mattered.

Somewhere along the way, we became cattle herded into a pen to be trapped for hours with unhappy, recalcitrant people who seemed to not realize what a bonanza flight is.

You can have your choice, fly in a cattle car with wings at a low price or fly in luxury at a high price.
It's been that way (in the US) since the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

 

[Guran]

Absolutely, no worries.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Not reading this whole thread, so someone probably mentioned this, but they gate / counter people don't even see it. It's for use in aggregate form. Why would anyone care?

I always found it laughable that they weigh all the luggage but not the people.

 

[trev333]

Hey! Airlines..I'm 75 kilos.... let's get this crate in the air..

 

[Brian J.]

funny I've been getting on and off commercial flights and military transports since the late 1980s and I've yet to questioned about my weight has the world become some grossly obese that jet engines can't lift it the off the ground any longer?

 

[getbent]

You can have your choice, fly in a cattle car with wings at a low price or fly in luxury at a high price.
It's been that way (in the US) since the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

hey, first class is not great anymore. you have to deal with all the grumpy and irrational people who herd in and half the 'trouble' is in first class.

 

[memorex]

I'd be happy to give the airlines my weight, and they can keep the last 25 lbs.

 

[omahaaudio]

hey, first class is not great anymore.

That's why I usually fly Business.

 

[Weazel]

Would I? Yes.

If I was overweight, it would be visible for all to see anyway.
(And if I was underweight, it would be visible for all to see anyway.)

I would not suddenly stop being overweight if I refused providing my weight to someone, anyone. Most people still have working eyes.

Ridiculous, and as far as I can understand - this is a completely volunteer thing?

 

[Telecaster88]

In Michigan ? My nickname is Slim.

In California ? Fatty Fatty Four by Four.

So I guess it depends on where the plane is taking off from …

I'm about fifteen or twenty pounds overweight. At a recent checkup, my doctor described me as "Wisconsin Skinny."