A crazy idea I kinda like

280 pounds? That'll cost you...

I read a most obscure and politically incorrect idea from Richard van Kooy in his letter to the editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. I think it bears repeating. His idea? Airlines should charge passengers by total weight. That's right, add up your body weight and your baggage rate and apply a common formula. New York - Los Angeles? That'll be $2.49 per pound please.

I loved this idea! Why should I pay as much as the fat guy stealing my armrest? He's burning more fuel! Also, imagine all the vacationers who have to pay more to fly home as they've eaten too much on their holiday? Sorry, too bad for you!

His idea definitely gave me a chuckle and I wish more travel folk would think outside the box a bit more.

Could his idea actually work? Politically incorrectness aside, probably not. To get a true measure of price per pound, you'd have to develop a stat by aircraft type and even by freight activity. Meaning the gas-hogging 747 between New York and Los Angeles is burning more fuel per pound than the more efficient A320.

But I still want to give Mr. van Kooy mad props for the day!

Base airline fees on weight and save fuel [SFGate.com]