Delta and KLM sued over 'too fat to fly'
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Delta and KLM sued over 'too fat to fly'
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I've personally seen the utter disregard KLM have for passengers' luggage when the lose it, and can easily see how the underlying culture could lead to the described scenario.
In addition, KLM sell you a more comfortable seat (exit row in a 747) at an extra charge, but once you sit down you realize that the available width between armrests is less than in any other seat, because the tray tables are integrated into the armrests. Plus, if you get the 'window' seat, you'll realize that there is a)no window and b) the door frame intrudes into your leg space. In essence, you are paying extra for no window, less available seat width and less available width for your legs.
OK, the two points above are not as serious as the late Ms Soltesz' but they do help in establishing a certain pattern with KLM.
In addition, KLM sell you a more comfortable seat (exit row in a 747) at an extra charge, but once you sit down you realize that the available width between armrests is less than in any other seat, because the tray tables are integrated into the armrests. Plus, if you get the 'window' seat, you'll realize that there is a)no window and b) the door frame intrudes into your leg space. In essence, you are paying extra for no window, less available seat width and less available width for your legs.
OK, the two points above are not as serious as the late Ms Soltesz' but they do help in establishing a certain pattern with KLM.
I heard the woman was soooooo large that she couldn't make the 90 degree turn in the forward galley of the 737 airplane, in order to be transported down the aisle. So she was offloaded and offered transportation on a wide body jet out of LKPR Prague on Delta Airlines. (Skyteam partner)
The Wide body jet also wasn't big enough.
So they Tried Lufthansa.....Same treatment here. "Fat chance" she was simply too big to transport.
The Wide body jet also wasn't big enough.
So they Tried Lufthansa.....Same treatment here. "Fat chance" she was simply too big to transport.
Last edited by fox niner; 27th Nov 2012 at 14:15.
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But Peter Ronai, the lawyer acting for her husband, Janos, told CBS: "They [the airlines] took on the responsibility to get her to Hungary, it's their responsibility to get her back."
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Always thought a fair case could be made for selling passenger tickets by weight.
The immutable physics of flight versus the feel-good, PC, huggy fluffy nonsense about "persons of size" .....
The immutable physics of flight versus the feel-good, PC, huggy fluffy nonsense about "persons of size" .....
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sorry!
but personally i have no sympathy for such persons that get in such a state and to think that the airlines can be sued is a sign that solicitors/lawyers have lost all common sense. but i knew that already.
and to think that the airlines are in any way responsible for her death is absurd.
and to think that the airlines are in any way responsible for her death is absurd.
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Have to agree, sueing would be a good thing, but not per definition because the airline(s) are wrong!
I've had the porblems of having to transport people of odour, "vocalness" and of size... I had little to nothing to go on but the seatbelt, aisle, or cabin crew not being able to handle the arising situation! A seat size is a seat size, and even armrests are having to be shared HALF the size they were by two persons now in coach, everything becoming ever more cramped!
A private transport aranged by her insurance company (like they do on ski hollidays when a leg is broken etc) would have been the way to go, not taking the cheapest way out, and then having this result, hoping for a remuneration that will bring "justice". Bad planning on their part, and IF the airlines and/or insurance company's' didn't come with this idea too, bad service on their part too!
I've had the porblems of having to transport people of odour, "vocalness" and of size... I had little to nothing to go on but the seatbelt, aisle, or cabin crew not being able to handle the arising situation! A seat size is a seat size, and even armrests are having to be shared HALF the size they were by two persons now in coach, everything becoming ever more cramped!
A private transport aranged by her insurance company (like they do on ski hollidays when a leg is broken etc) would have been the way to go, not taking the cheapest way out, and then having this result, hoping for a remuneration that will bring "justice". Bad planning on their part, and IF the airlines and/or insurance company's' didn't come with this idea too, bad service on their part too!
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Three airlines tried, three airlines unable to accomodate the passenger.
How on earth can you sue an airline if you are physically unable to board?
That's the reason.
How on earth can you sue an airline if you are physically unable to board?
I don't see how sueing $6m will help anything but cashing in on his wifes death.
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She died of kidney failure before a suitable flight could be found, after
refusing treatment from local doctors.
She suffered from kidney disease and diabetes and reportedly "did not trust"
Hungarian doctors.
refusing treatment from local doctors.
She suffered from kidney disease and diabetes and reportedly "did not trust"
Hungarian doctors.
Sounds lika a candidate for The Darwin Award.
It's a tragic story, and I do have sympathy for her husband and family.
In true modern fashion though, it is of course somebodies fault.
Yep, it's the airlines fault obviously, after all the it was these airlines that:-
1) Caused her diabetes.
2) Caused her kidney problems.
3) Amputated her leg.
4) Made the decision to not seek medical treatment in Hungary. And the Czech Republic. And Germany.
Ultimately both Delta and Lufthansa attempted to accommodate her but both were unable to do so safely. I sincerely hope that this law suit is not successful, unfortunately I fear that it will be.
I strongly suspect that she had Type 2 Diabetes which she failed to control adequately. This would account for the loss of her leg and her kidney problems.
In the New York Post her husband is quoted as saying that she gained water weight due to her condition, so I also suspect that she was bigger on the return flight than on the outbound, leading to all the problems.
Looking at the video in the link below I am not surprised that problems were encountered trying to get her safely onboard and seated securely and safely.
Vilma Soltesz, 425-Pound Woman, Allegedly Deemed Too Fat To Fly Before Dying Abroad
In true modern fashion though, it is of course somebodies fault.
Yep, it's the airlines fault obviously, after all the it was these airlines that:-
1) Caused her diabetes.
2) Caused her kidney problems.
3) Amputated her leg.
4) Made the decision to not seek medical treatment in Hungary. And the Czech Republic. And Germany.
Ultimately both Delta and Lufthansa attempted to accommodate her but both were unable to do so safely. I sincerely hope that this law suit is not successful, unfortunately I fear that it will be.
I strongly suspect that she had Type 2 Diabetes which she failed to control adequately. This would account for the loss of her leg and her kidney problems.
In the New York Post her husband is quoted as saying that she gained water weight due to her condition, so I also suspect that she was bigger on the return flight than on the outbound, leading to all the problems.
Looking at the video in the link below I am not surprised that problems were encountered trying to get her safely onboard and seated securely and safely.
Vilma Soltesz, 425-Pound Woman, Allegedly Deemed Too Fat To Fly Before Dying Abroad
Last edited by Avionker; 28th Nov 2012 at 08:04.
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Really, travelling to Hungary for a holiday with those medical problems evident. How did they get there?
Surely they would have medical insurance that would take care of the return journey, unless there were exclusions placed on the policy from the outset.
A sad case but of course it is somebody elses fault and they must of course pay
Surely they would have medical insurance that would take care of the return journey, unless there were exclusions placed on the policy from the outset.
A sad case but of course it is somebody elses fault and they must of course pay
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I am absolutely appalled by the comments and pictures (no, it wasn't funny). This woman has died, please show some respect. Sometimes, just sometimes, a person has no control over their weight.A friend of mine had a medical condition which needed medication. The side-effects from those medications caused rapid weight gain. Unfortunately, on many occasions, I witnessed first hand the abuse, jokes and sarcasm directed at her. I was appalled then as I am now with some of these comments.
HTC
Martinmax 69
Who's laughing? I assure you I'm not. The reason I posted that link was to illustrate the problems the airlines faced and to show why, in my opinion, this lawsuit is unjust.
Also please bear in mind that if, and it's only IF, my speculation about her suffering from Type 2 diabetes is correct her condition would most likely have been avoidable with the correct diet.
Who's laughing? I assure you I'm not. The reason I posted that link was to illustrate the problems the airlines faced and to show why, in my opinion, this lawsuit is unjust.
Also please bear in mind that if, and it's only IF, my speculation about her suffering from Type 2 diabetes is correct her condition would most likely have been avoidable with the correct diet.
Last edited by Avionker; 29th Nov 2012 at 05:39.
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In the UK courts, at least, this case would have no prospect of success. From what has been reported, it seems that she gained weight (or retained water as a result of her kidney condition) while she was away and the aircraft were simply unable to accommodate her. The argument that the airline got her there and should therefore get her back would not succeed because their failure to fly her home did not cause her death; she had a medical condition for which she should have sought treatment in Hungary.
The reality is that the case will have been brought in the hope that the airline settles out of court; the airline may be tempted to do that rather than set a precedent. Although I would like to think that a court would refuse to extend the airline's duty of care to this extent, I suspect in a US court the likelihood is stronger.
The reality is that the case will have been brought in the hope that the airline settles out of court; the airline may be tempted to do that rather than set a precedent. Although I would like to think that a court would refuse to extend the airline's duty of care to this extent, I suspect in a US court the likelihood is stronger.
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martinmax
what is the proper term? bullocks? physical fact....people don't get that big without enormous uncontrolled oral intake. the husband is nothing but a gold digger. sue me!
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Yes you're correct she did make VERY questionable decisions and as a human being she made mistakes.
How then is that the fault of anyone but herself? From what I read 3 airlines tried and failed but the point is they DID try. Throw this out of court!
How then is that the fault of anyone but herself? From what I read 3 airlines tried and failed but the point is they DID try. Throw this out of court!
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martinmax69,
While it is has become popular to be outraged on other people's behalf, the fact remains that fat, or should we call it weight so as not offend anyone, does not materialize out of thin air. Had she eaten only some dry white toast daily there is no possibility whatsoever that she could have reached the impressive 425 pounds, on the other hand if what she ate was four fried chickens and a coke...
While it is has become popular to be outraged on other people's behalf, the fact remains that fat, or should we call it weight so as not offend anyone, does not materialize out of thin air. Had she eaten only some dry white toast daily there is no possibility whatsoever that she could have reached the impressive 425 pounds, on the other hand if what she ate was four fried chickens and a coke...