"William W. Plummer" wrote:

Roger Long wrote:

Where is Miss Manners when you need her. I think I've gotten myself in a
real jam.

Our club could really use some publicity. I saw a very nice article about a
flying school in a nearby city so I called the reporter and offered to take
him flying. He is quite interested in doing a story on the club and asked if
the other reporter on his beat could come along.

I told him that would be fine but I would need to know their weights so I
could adjust the fuel load in our 172 N. He emailed back that he is 350 lbs.

I'm quite sure that the seats are not rated for anywhere near that. Even if
they are, as the maintenance officer who has had these 28 year old seats out
many times to repair the trim and covering, there is no way I want to put
350 pounds on them.

Now what do I do? One thing for sure, it's the last time I ask someone I
haven't met to go flying.


Please don't lie or try to be coy. Simply show him the weight and
balance calculation and explain how his weight rules him out for the
plane. Do you think he is unaware of his weight? That's silly.

I second that! One needn't be mean-spirited in telling him the weight
limits of the planes in your club. Making up an excuse to not fly him
may actually be more rude (and hurtful if the real reason comes out or
is suspected).
--
Alex
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