Weighty issue for airlines

Regarding “Lose Weight” [On the Spot, June 8]: Airlines have always charged for overweight luggage. So it’s only a matter of time before they start weighing passengers.

The traveler’s rationale goes like this: “Why shouldn’t an obese guy sitting next to me (and taking up half of my seat) be charged more than me? Certainly, his extra 75 pounds is using up more jet fuel than the extra 5 pounds in my suitcase.”

Southwest has instituted a policy that it may charge extra for people who cannot comfortably fit in one seat. Perhaps other airlines will follow suit.

But I’m sure this is too sensitive an issue to ever enforce -- at least without the inevitable lawsuits that would follow.

Tom Ogden

Hollywood