Question

Victory Air has been criticized in the press because of its policy of charging an overweight passenger for a second seat if he or she cannot fit in a single coach seat without his or her body crossing the armrest boundary. In a public letter printed on its website, Victory used the following evidence as part of its defense of its policy:

a. In 2003, a commuter plane crashed on takeoff from Charlotte, North Carolina, in due part to excess weight. We need to be able to require that a heavier passenger pay for an use two seats in order to keep the plane's total weigh within acceptable limits for safe operation of the plane.

b. Our policy is not an attempt to increase revenues: if there is an available empty seat, we do not charge the heavier passenger for a second seat.

c. Every passenger pays more for a ticket because heavier passengers increase fuel consumption. It's only fair that heavier passengers pay extra for the increased fuel consumption.

d. According to a study by the National Transportation Safety Board, an overweight passenger squeezed into a single coach seat might be a safety risk to another passenger or to himself or herself if the plane must be evacuated quickly.

e. The average weight of a passenger climbed from 180 pounds in 1995 to 190 pounds in 2003. Estimates place the current average weight at almost 195 pounds.

For each of these five items, write a brief paragraph* in which you identify the nature of the evidence (if any) -- numerical date, example, or expert testimony -- and identify any logical fallacies**. If you think the evidence is not as effective as it might be, what is the problem, and how would you make it more effective?

Answer 1

a. In 2003, a commuter plane crashed on takeoff from Charlotte, North Carolina, in due part to excess weight. We need to be able to require that a heavier passenger pay for an use two seats in order to keep the plane's total weigh within acceptable limits for safe operation of the plane.

Eventhough it is true that the plane crashed due to excess weight, it is totally unfair that collecting extra pay from the heavier passenger. Any how ticket fare is collecting more than the required,so the management need to leave some seats empty which can be used by the heavier passenger ,if the seat given to him is not sufficient. This may not leads to any loss to the plane management and also to the passengers. For example if the plane is having the capacity of carryin 60 passengers at a time, then allot the tickets only to 55 passengers. Suppose the ticket is Rs 1000/- per passenger, the management will get Rs.60,000/- for a trip. If they allot only 55 passengers and if they hike the ticket by Rs.100/- then the management will ger Rs.60,500/- for a trip. By this way if one or two heavier passengers book the ticket also there will be no problem for the passengers and them management and main thing that plane will be in safe.  

b. Our policy is not an attempt to increase revenues: if there is an available empty seat, we do not charge the heavier passenger for a second seat

Here the company's policy is good and there is no fraud involve in it. But they are giving the statement that if there is an available seat, we do not charge the heavier passenger for a second seat. In the given statement they are thinking on one side only,they have to think in all sides. For example if all the seats are filled and there will be two or three heavier passenger for whom the allotted seat is not sufficient and they have to face uncomfortable journey. So if the company leaves minimum number of empty seats by minimal increase in ticket , then the heavier passenger will make use the empty seats and they feel comfortable journey and there will no loss to the management also.

c. Every passenger pays more for a ticket because heavier passengers increase fuel consumption. It's only fair that heavier passengers pay extra for the increased fuel consumption.

It is totally unfair that asking the heavier passengers to pay extra for the increased fuel consumption.Because if the company charge like that, it will hurt the heavier passenger inner feelings and they will feel that they were treated unequall.On this earth, all the humans should be treated equally. And the main thing is that other than heavier passengers will not feel that they paying extra amount for others ,instead they have to feel that it is their responsibility for safe and comfortable journey. By this all the people will be treated equally and no one will feel that there is discrimination based on weights.

d. According to a study by the National Transportation Safety Board, an overweight passenger squeezed into a single coach seat might be a safety risk to another passenger or to himself or herself if the plane must be evacuated quickly.

The above statement is 100 percent acceptable. Because if a overweight passenger squeezed into a single coach seat, it will be difficult for them to sit in the seat or to get out of the seat.Suppose if the overweight persons is sitting near the exit door and other people sitting behind them and suddeny a fire accident has occured inside the plane and all the passengers have to be evacuated quickly, it will be difficult for the overweight passengers.Because they were squeezed into the uncomfortable seat and they were not only keeping their lives in risk but also others lives by blocking the way of others in the process of trying to get out of the seat which causes a block to the other who are behind them. So, if the heavier passengers are given sufficent seat, then there will be minimum risk to them and also to others

e. The average weight of a passenger climbed from 180 pounds in 1995 to 190 pounds in 2003. Estimates place the current average weight at almost 195 pounds.

According to the company norms it will be great move that increasing the average weight of a passenger from 180 pounds in 1995 to 190 pounds in 2003 and also 195 pounds at present. But it is totally unfair by keeping the limits on the weight of a person. If this continues, many people will try to manipulate in their weights which will be high risk to the plane and also others who are travelling with them. To avoid these activites, company can have minimum hike in the ticket and leaving some seats empty so that heavy passengers can make use of it. By this way the journey will be more safe without loss to anyone