In Canada, that is. But it will spread as quickly as a big behind to the U.S., most likely.
The morbidly obese are considered disabled..and rightly so if they have medical conditions such as "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," or hormonal and other disorders.
There are the disabled who require "in-flight" attendants to travel with them.
Canada's two major airlines will now require free seats for for these cases.
The trouble is, the airlines fear there will be abuse.
"The agency said the airlines must develop a process to assess eligibility. The free seats need not be provided to obese people who are just uncomfortable in their seats or are not disabled by their size, said the ruling.
The airlines also do not have to make allowances for disabled people who prefer to travel with a companion for personal reasons or those who require care on the ground, but not in the air.
"The agency is leaving it up to Air Canada and WestJet to develop their own screening policies," said agency spokes-man Marc Comeau.
A possible sticking point is how to decide when obesity is a disability. The agency has recommended the airlines adopt a policy used by Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which gives a free seat to people who are too big to lower their armrest. "
Read the complete article HERE
