Is weighing plane passengers so dreadful?

WEIGHING passengers at check-in, as Finnair now encourages (Mail), is not new. In the 1960s I worked at Heathrow for an airline called British Eagle, which had contracts with the Ministry of Defence for long-haul flights to the Far East and Australia. Getting the fuel and balance figures was critical, so we weighed passengers at check-in. Back then, we calculated that an average man would weigh 75 kg (165 lb); women 65 kg (143 lb) and children 40 kg (88 lb). Nowadays, I believe they calculate 93 kg (205 lb) for men and 75 kg (165 lb) for women — which is quite frightening, but not surprising, considering the obesity epidemic.

HUGH WALTON, Dorking, Surrey.

Airlines know there is an obesity problem. it will pay well to weigh us.

R. DONCASTER, Penrith, Cumbria.

I AGREE airlines should weigh passengers. I resent having to pay extra for my 29 kg allowance when others, in body and baggage, have far exceeded that for free.

AMANDA THOMAS, Saltash, Cornwall.

TWENTY years ago, my late husband and i took a trip to Borneo. We were due to spend some time in a remote hotel in the rainforest, accessible only by a 20-seater plane. We found it quite amusing that we were weighed with our luggage. But now people are far more sensitive and also, sadly, far more overweight.

KATHY TYRRELL, Kettering, Northants.

I ONCE heard of a 38 st passenger who very considerately booked two seats on a plane. On boarding, he discovered they were on either side of the aisle.

CLIVE GLADSTONE, Cullercoats, Tyne And Wear.

NOTHING would give me more incentive to diet than being weighed at the airport. Bring it on.

ELIZABETH LEE, Westbury, Wilts.