Letter: Heavy people treated unfairly

Tuesday, June 25, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

In an age when we supposedly are more sensitive to human rights and the special needs of people with handicaps, charging extra for heavier persons to fly on a commercial airline is most insensitive.

Obesity has many causes, and most heavy persons surely resent the condition they have. "Fat" people are frequently the subject of ridicule, often suffer from low self-esteem, have a condition that may be hereditary and may find that no effort to diet results in substantial weight reduction. They are sometimes subject to discrimination in employment.

The latest actions of the airline industry have outrageously brought humiliation to persons with a physical challenge, seemingly in conflict with accommodations legally mandated elsewhere, including in public transportation. Although a court challenge would seem to be likely, it would be better if the airlines would rethink their policy of forcing the cost of accommodation on the physically challenged patron.

Can you imagine if they were forced to disclose in their advertising that persons would be subject to a seating surcharge? Charging extra is a crass and inconsiderate idea, not in keeping with what ought to be expected from an industry that is licensed by the government and expected to serve the public in an equitable manner.

ERIC STEFIK