LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG: Getting Thick Around the Middle? On Chicago-Based United Airlines Planes - That Could Cost You!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Hey, you dogs! Here's a pose with me and my Human Grandma Felice Moss from a couple of summers ago. Ladies - I AM hot . . . aren't I?
Those of you who know me well know I'm pretty trim and fit. I work out every day, you know - chasing my Pup Reporter, Gracie Moss, around the living room a couple of hundred times each morning.
But, I know, some of you dogs, and many, many humans, may have added a few extra pounds or two over the years.
Well, if you are a human, and Chicago-Based United Airlines considers you too obese to properly fit in a standard coach-class airline seat, it could cost you some serious dough!
As reported by Julie Johnson in the Chicago Tribune yesterday, under the new United Airlines rule, those who cannot fit comfortably in a standard coach seat will be required to buy the adjacent seat, move to another area in the plan and purchase two coach seats together, or upgrade to business or first-class, which have roomier airplane seats.
If the plane is full, and no additional adjacent seats are available for the overweight passenger to purchase, he or she might risk being bumped from that flight. The airline, the third-largest air carrier in the U.S., will waive re-booking fees for the bumped passenger.
Before today, United Flight Attendants attempted to accommodate the passenger in another row, without charge. But as complaints have risen from passengers being forced to share an otherwise-crowed airline row with an overweight passenger, and as the planes themselves have become more crowded, United sees the extra-seat-for-pay rule as a reasonable alternative.
Low-cost competitor, TX-based Southwest Airlines, has apparently had a similar policy in place for 25 years. Delicate handling of these types of seating matters has resulted in few passenger complaints with this air carrier, however.
Well before you humans jump to conclusions, think for a while about us dogs!
When we fly on airplanes, we're either forced under the seat (booo - poor headroom!), in a pay-for seat (rarely a real alternative, unless you're traveling with a human whose name happens to be Oprah Winfrey), or forced to a sometimes-cold and cramped freight compartment. Each option comes with a fee, or fare, attached!
I wonder if good ole' United Air will be changing its rules for dogs on its planes. Hope Not!
The Johnson story in the Trib features accompanying video.
Enjoy the weekend!
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
