flybynight From Norway, joined Jul 2003, 992 posts, RR: 3 Posted (11 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3427 times:
On a recent AS flight (Horizon Q400) I had a very large individual sit next to me. Ultimately I didn't say anything since the flight was full, but I think it is unfair that my seat is partly filled with the person sitting next to me.
I am sorry you have a weight problem, buddy, but why should your body make me uncomfortable in my seat that I paid for (or my company paid for).
kl911 From Ireland, joined Jul 2003, 4977 posts, RR: 14 Reply 1, posted (11 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3410 times:
Quoting flybynight (Thread starter): I am sorry you have a weight problem, buddy, but why should your body make me uncomfortable in my seat that I paid for (or my company paid for).
No, I am not ok with a large person next to me. I think it is the airlines responsility to let those pax pay double seats unless they can show a medical certificate after which the health insurance should pay.
If you are large because you dont sport and eat unhealthy its your fault, and I certainly will protect the already tine space I have paid for myself.
" The European consumer would crawl naked over broken glass to get low fares." Michael O'Leary
Ps76 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (11 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3358 times:
Hi!
While I may not like it cramping on my space, especially if it's a long flight, it wouldn't bother me that much. More important to me is if he or she is polite and doesn't make lots of noise, do things which would annoy of be considered obnoxious. I mean he or she probably doesn't feel too good about being overweight either so as long as they were nice people I wouldn't say anything.
falkerker From Seychelles, joined Apr 2012, 149 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3356 times:
Quoting flybynight (Thread starter): I am sorry you have a weight problem, buddy, but why should your body make me uncomfortable in my seat that I paid for (or my company paid for).
As a physician I can say most cases of obesity are not health issues (by this I mean, things the patient cannot control. i.e thyroid issues or metabolic disorders) but overeating and sedentarism. By this I mean, it´s almost always YOUR fault if you´re fat and since it´s your fault you shouldn´t make anyone unconfortable by it. Airlines should force fat and obese passengers who don´t fit in the seat to buy two, or even three. I think they should have a measurement (such as the small cage for you to measure your carry-on) if your over that limit, you pay two seats.
It goes without saying that if your weight issue is due to a real medical condition then you should have a medical certification and airlines and/or insurance companies should be obliged to give you a second seat.
L1011 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 1583 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (11 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 3312 times:
I don't mind as long as they can fit in their seat with the armrest down. If they try to raise the armrest, I would object. That is a problem I have run into on Amtrak where there is no armrest between the seats.
B6JFKH81 From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2767 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (11 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 3204 times:
I'm not a small person, but I am also not huge. 6' 215lbs, 34" waist. But I make sure I avoid having a middle seat as much as possible because I know my shoulders will spill over to the space on both sides of me. I either get a window where I can lean up against the sidewall (which gives the person in the middle a little extra space), or the aisle where I can lift up the armrest and give myself some space on the aisle side which give the person in the middle seat more room. I try to be courteous about it. As long as other customers like me who a are a little bigger are courteous, I'm fine with it. BUT, if you're wearing a seat belt extension, and your jelly rolls are cascading over the armrest like Niagra Falls into other customers space, you should have purchased 2 seats, and that makes me a little pissy.
"If you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it"
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 2624 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (11 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3093 times:
If they fit in the seat with the armrest down, then that's fine--even if they fill up the whole of that space. The second that they infringe in my 30 inches or whatever it is, then there is a problem. I paid to have my little seat with ridiculous dimensions as it is; you've got no right to take my space. Buy two seats or fly F.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11310 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (11 months 16 hours ago) and read 2975 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
I don't mind a large person next to me as long as their body DOESN'T invade my personal space that I've paid for. My worst flight was between ORD-LAX three years ago when I had a lady whos body was hanging over my side of the seat and I was basically pushed up against the wall for nearly 4 hours. I ensured I got into the aisle at least once every hour for around 10-15mins and went up towards the galley to stretch.
AlnessW From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 618 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (11 months 6 hours ago) and read 2891 times:
Quoting Braniff747SP (Reply 7): If they fit in the seat with the armrest down, then that's fine--even if they fill up the whole of that space. The second that they infringe in my 30 inches or whatever it is, then there is a problem.
Quoting 777ER (Reply 8): I don't mind a large person next to me as long as their body DOESN'T invade my personal space
Quoting Braniff747SP (Reply 7): I paid to have my little seat with ridiculous dimensions as it is
If you're going to complain about it then buy a seat in F.
daviation From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 432 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (10 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2810 times:
I'm a tall person (6'3") but not overweight. I stay in my space and I hope my seatmate does the same. But sometimes I'm driven over the edge - on a LAS-ATL red eye, I took the window seat so I could have a few hours of sleep. Mr & Mrs Buffet Table sat down next to me, asked to raise the armrests (which I refused, to their shock), and nearly crushed me into the window. It was the most uncomfortable four hours I've had on a plane in recent years.
I didn't say anything to the F/A, but I should have made a fuss. My aunt & uncle were up in First Class because DL had changed their flight from a nonstop to a connection. They spoke up and got great seats. I minded my business and nearly stopped my blood circulation.
And what is this new political correctness about obesity and alcoholism being "diseases?" How do you catch these diseases? Is there an innoculation available? Is it contagious? The reason I'm asking these ridiculous questions is because they are not diseases at all - they are personal failings that other people have to pay for. Why don't we just say that smoking is a disease too? Or driving too fast?
CoachClass From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 356 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (10 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2779 times:
Quoting AlnessW (Reply 9): If you're going to complain about it then buy a seat in F
No, it's the other way around. The large person should buy a First Class seat with a lot more room. Besides, First Class also offers lots of food and drink.
falkerker From Seychelles, joined Apr 2012, 149 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 2634 times:
Quoting daviation (Reply 10): And what is this new political correctness about obesity and alcoholism being "diseases?" How do you catch these diseases? Is there an innoculation available? Is it contagious? The reason I'm asking these ridiculous questions is because they are not diseases at all - they are personal failings that other people have to pay for. Why don't we just say that smoking is a disease too? Or driving too fast?
I find them to be Public Health Issues more than diseases (although the point could be made in that they are mental diseases, just like gambling or anorexia are)... If a health policy is being made and it sees them (smoking, alcoholism, obesity) as diseases, fine by me. However, if they are going to be used as shields by fat people to excuse their over-eating, drinking or addiction issues, no way. We should learn from Nordic countries where high-calorie items are taxed aggresively in the same way cigarettes are.
On the other hand, obesity is almost as serious to your own health as smoking is, so why won´t we accept people smoking indoors but find "politically incorrect" to make a person who is over 300lbs and clearly invades someone else´s space buy a second seat (or pay C/F)!?
jetblueguy22 From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 2021 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (10 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2548 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Nope. I never saw the big deal in it for a while. I'm a pretty laid back guy and try to just go with the flow. But in March I was flying MSP-LGA on DL and I get onboard and I have a husband and wife with jelly rolls combined at probably 600 pounds. I was trapped at my normal window seat and it was miserable. I would have complained if I wasn't so excited to get home after being away for a couple months. I think the airlines need to find a standard to let these people know they have to buy another seat. It sucks to have to tell someone they are so big they need another seat, but listen you can't let yourself get that big.
Blue
Professor Foltz: You push down on that yolk, the houses get bigger, you pull back on the yolk, the houses get bigger.
AirAfreak From United States of America, joined Apr 2012, 244 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2484 times:
The obvious answer is no, I do mind sitting next to a passenger of high body mass.
Although, my opinion goes both ways...
If I am scheduled on a CRJ or ATR or ERJ, then my mind expects a less than favorable experience. Regardless of being assigned Row 1 at the bulkhead, or Row 6, I simply order a drink and deal with it.
In other cases, medium-haul/long-haul flights, I always pay for Economy Comfort or Businesselite (Delta) depending on aircraft, configuration, and product. For example, when flying ATL-LAX, I always book 77L and pay for Businesselite as it is quite reasonable concerning the fare so there isn't an issue. If I am flying frequently throughout the year, there are times when I book Economy Comfort/Seat Plus/Bulkhead/Emergency Exit Row for the additional fee in hopes for a more comfortable flight. In my opinion, Economy Class has the higher percentage of being seated next to a person of higher body mass. Don't ask me why I say this, but this is MY experience.
But in any case, I am in my 30's and Basic Economy is no longer an option unless it's a market served strictly by a regional aircraft.
Alternatively, if I should be stuck in Basic Economy and I am seated next to a passenger of high body mass, then certain cases may apply where I do not mind such as friendliness and courtesy. As long as you are respectful to the best of your ability, then I can look beyond your physical characteristics.
This is one of those cases where black and white do not apply. Either purchase a Business Class ticket and shut the hell up, or hope the passenger of high body mass does the same.
Either way, no one is forcing you to travel by air. There are rail, bus, sea, and motorcar options.
Air travel is only an option. Your comfort is what you make of it.
planeguy727 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1066 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2457 times:
Quoting daviation (Reply 10): And what is this new political correctness about obesity and alcoholism being "diseases?" How do you catch these diseases? Is there an innoculation available? Is it contagious? The reason I'm asking these ridiculous questions is because they are not diseases at all
"Disease - a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury." - Oxford Dictionary
I agree that almost all of the overweight issues faced by individuals are cause by the individual, but by definition a disease can be caused by more than an infectious agent.
BlatantEcho From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1869 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2446 times:
"More important to me is if he or she is polite and doesn't make lots of noise"
This is one of the funnier things I've read on a.net in 10 years...
Agree totally. If you're fat, you can't fix that problem in the few short hours we're on the plane together, so let's not try.
However, you're bad life choices shouldn't impact others negatively.
genybustrvlr From United States of America, joined Jul 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2401 times:
No, No, No!
I'm in very good shape. It's not because I won the genetic lottery; it's because I have self-discipline, workout, and eat well. I have zero sympathy for overweight people - it's a self-inflicted problem.
Now, 90% of overweight people fit in their seat. I may prefer to have a small person next to me but life goes on. Fly enough and you will every so often end up seated next to the other 10% - the morbidly obese (defined as you need a seatbelt extender and/or your gut is squishing around the armrest into my space). When I end up next to a morbidly obese person, I politely tell the flight attend (near the galley without making a scene) that the situation is unacceptable, I'm unwilling to move from Y+ and he/she or the gate agent needs to resolve it. My experience has always been one of the following:
1) The obese passenger is moved (most often).
2) The obese passenger is taken off the flight (just once on a full flight).
3) I'm taken off the flight and I make it very clear to the airline that it is an involuntary boarding denial - and I have received compensation as such each time this has happened. (typical on a full flight)
A comment on outcome three. I find it amazing that my airline is willing to hand me $650 to make the problem go away. They could easily deny the obese person the seat based on the terms of carriage at no cost to them.
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 2624 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2296 times:
Quoting AlnessW (Reply 9): f you're going to complain about it then buy a seat in F.
Trust me, if I could, I would. I just meant that my seat is small enough as it is; no need for it to be smaller.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
N126DL From United States of America, joined May 2010, 100 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (10 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 2134 times:
On a recent ATL-SLC, a rather large person sat behind me. When he put his hand on the back of my seat for support as he sat down, my seat reclined. It was quite shocking! We had a nice laugh about it. The lady squeezed into the window didn't find anything so funny. She loudly yelled to the FA.. "I can NOT breathe! Icannotbreathe omg omg omg THIS FURNACE IS SUCKING UP ALL OF MY AIR!"
The entire plane was silent. The man said, "Way to be a complete child...good job" to which she replied "Don't touch me!"
The FA calmly said "The aircraft will cool off once the APU is started, I require you to be civilized or I will remove you from the flight." Then, she walked off. A man who was bigger than the complaining lady volunteered to move up and switch with her. Then, he and the large guy figured out that they were both drummers in a band and had a spirited discussion for the entire trip.
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 2624 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2088 times:
I'll reiterate what I said before having just come from a 10-abreast AZ 777 flight. Those seats where the narrowest I've ever sat in; I'm a bit on the large side, but nothing in comparison to many other people on the plane. I fit in tightly; no extra space. There where some on the plane that must have been really uncomfortable. At least I had the middle exit seat with (basically) unlimited legroom. If someone large had sat next to me, it would have been uncomfortable. For most of the flight, the seat next to me was empty; we did have someone sit there for an hour or two when the a/c went bad in his section of the plane. The guy was not particularly large; but I could easily imagine him being a bit bigger and both of us being uncomfortable. The seat width on AZ's A321 was much better; more leeway.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6172 posts, RR: 9 Reply 22, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 2063 times:
One time I had the pleasure of sitting next to an obese woman from DFW-LAX on AA about 5 years ago. Right before we pushed back she moved her seat to sit next to me and was sitting in another row originally. Her arm flab was taking up my armrest and was in my seat zone the whole way to LAX.
Yeah, I was not amused.
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
n92r03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (10 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1944 times:
While I don't "mind" it, I certainly do not prefer it. But as others have mentioned, as long as the person is not annoying then I just deal with it and try to treat them with some dignity. I'm not going to get too worked up over being next two an overweight person for a couple hours...its not like sitting in the Y seat is nice anyway. There are much more important things to be bothered by in this world.
However what is worse in my opinion is the seat mate who lacks personal hygiene skills. Really, in this day and age bathing, deodorant, and brushing one's teeth should be considered basic necessities.
mplsjefe From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 97 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (10 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1765 times:
I was on a flight from MSP to SEA and when I arrived at my aisle seat (I know, usually an Anetter faux pas but I'm an aisle person) and saw that a very obese woman was at the window seat and had put up the armrest up so she could partially spill over into the middle seat. I am guessing she was hoping that seat was going to stay empty, but I knew otherwise as I had talked with the people in the SkyClub before going to the gate knew the flight was completely full and even oversold.
The last person to board the plane was a height/weight appropriate woman who had the middle seat between myself and the woman at the window (which also happened to be the last seat open seat on the plane). When she saw the woman at the window she stopped for a moment. Without saying anything, she put her bag under the seat in front of her, put both hands on the armrest and FORCED the it into the down position. This took several pushes and looked like a lot of work. The woman at the window appeared to try to shrink down as best she could and the armrest made it down after much effort. The poor woman at the window looked so uncomfortable and ashamed . . . Neither one uttered a word to each other throughout the entire flight.
I felt so bad for the woman at the window, I just wish she would have bought the two seats that she obviously needed to be comfortable.
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