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 part due to excess weight. We need to be able to require that a heavier passenger pay for and use two seats in order to keep the plane's total weight 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 data, 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?
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a. The evidence provided in this item is an example, specifically the 2003 commuter plane crash in Charlotte. This example is used to support the claim that Victory Air's policy is necessary to keep the plane's total weight within acceptable limits for safe operation. There is no logical fallacy in this item. To make the evidence more effective, it could be strengthened by providing specific details about how the excess weight contributed to the crash.
b. This item provides an example to support the claim that Victory Air's policy is not intended to increase revenues. The example states that if there is an available empty seat, the heavier passenger is not charged for a second seat. This example is effective in demonstrating that revenue is not the primary motive behind the policy, as long as the availability of empty seats is clearly communicated and consistently maintained.
c. The evidence in this item is numerical data, specifically the statement that heavier passengers increase fuel consumption and, therefore, every passenger pays more for a ticket. This data supports the claim that it is fair for heavier passengers to pay extra for the increased fuel consumption. There is no logical fallacy in this item. To make the evidence more effective, the data could be supported by specific calculations or percentages to show the direct impact of heavier passengers on overall fuel consumption.
d. The evidence in this item is expert testimony, referring to a study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The study suggests that an overweight passenger squeezed into a single coach seat could pose a safety risk during the plane's evacuation. This expert testimony supports the claim that Victory Air's policy is necessary for the safety of both passengers and crew. There is no logical fallacy in this item.
e. The evidence in this item is numerical data, specifically the average weight of passengers in different years. This data shows a steady increase in the average weight of passengers, implying a need to address the issue. There is no logical fallacy in this item. To make the evidence more effective, it could be further supported by additional statistics or studies highlighting the implications of this increase in weight on factors such as seating comfort or aircraft performance.
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