airplane for large people

[Tamie]

My grandmother is rather large and I am looking for air transportation for her. I have heard that some airlines will charge you for two seats if you are overly large. Has anyone else heard about this. If so, are there any who don't? Or, ones that can accomodate her? Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

[Beverly Lynn]

does she live in a city where midwest express services that airport? thats a first class airline. they have bigger seats. if she is too large for a regular coach class tkt she will have to pay for one and a half seats. for instance if the fare is 150 she will pay 150 plus 75 = 225 and she will get to sit in 2 seats.

[travelcoupons]

See:


http://www.cnn.com/2000/TRAVEL/VIEWS/elliott/08/30/index.html

[imgoingtodisney]

My husband is on the large side. (not overly though). I just thought maybe I'll put my 9yr old son between my husband and myself.

[fostrmom2mny]

Hon, as you can see by my signiture picture that I'm quite a large person. I have only flown on two occasions, (both of them to WDW) where I rode on American Airlines and then on United. At that time, I weighed 80 pounds heavier than I am now. United trip was fine, just couldn't use the lap tray, but I was stuck on the window side next to people that I didn't know on AA. That was so uncomfortable and awkward! I held my breath, squished my arms togather and suffered! Both airlines have seatbelt extenders, but you have to ask for them. Unfortunatly, some stuartdess are nice about it, while others aren't as nice. I pray that I have lost enough weight to not need the use of the extenders! I'm sure I still can't use the lap tray, but both my daughters are with me so I can share theirs :)
Gerri

[Baileymouse]

I'm a wide person (not tall, wide :) ) and the most uncomfortable flights have to be on Continental. There's no room anywhere, and they aren't very accommodating with the seatbelt extenders.

I fly with my son and husband, or with my mom, or anyone else and we lift up the armrest. It generally gives me enough room. I also have my own "purloined" seatbelt extender so I don't have to ask the cabin crew for one.

My extremely large (500lbs) cousin always sits in 1st class. He never buys anything less because of his bulk.

One of my friends likes to fly on the off-hours (late-nite to disney, early home) so that she can get a seat by herself.

Even if you're slim these flights are a pain. My husband is thin but tall and he's always uncomfortable, especially on Continental. We took TWA to Cancun and it was fine, btw. Delta Express is narrow, too but has a teensy bit more leg room than Continental.

[Disneylvr]

My DH and I are both large persons (I prefer to call it Pooh-sized :D ) and we do occassionally encounter problems when flying. I have had unfriendly flight attendents very openly hold up a selt belt extender and say "I think you might need this" in front of the other passengers. I always carry my own extender with me on all flights to avoid scenes like this. I also try and fly on planes that have a two seat side like the MD-80's, L1011's, 767, 777 and DC-9's. That way I am not squishing a stranger and the DH and I can lift up the arm rest and be comfortable. I hate the looks we have gotten when a passenger realizes he has to sit next to us. Folks, those hateful looks, mean stares and not so quietly whispered comments do cause hurt feelings. We may be larger than you but we are human and have feelings too.

My DH's tummy is small enough that he can get the tray down but I am not able to do so. I always put my drink/snack on his tray. Flying isn't really a pleasant experience for us Pooh-sized people but careful planning can make it more tolerable. I like to choose flights that depart late at night or very early in the morning. In May our plane left at 9:30pm and arrived at 1am Orlando time. There was maybe 25 people on the entire flight. Plenty of room for all of us to stretch out! Not the most desired flight times, but certainly more comfortable! Good luck!

[ducklite]

Midwest Express across the board has the widest coach seats. Pretty much all Boeing 737's have the narrowest, at as little as 16 3/4. Airbus and Boeing 777's seem to have the widest.

Basically, there is less room in an aiplace seat than your average office chair. So if you don't comfortably fit in that, then you will not fit in an airplane seat.

You can either purchase two seats (most carriers sell the second at a discount) or a first class seat if you can't fit into a standard coach seat. Or fly off hours when the plane is likely to be empty (but this doesn't always work--if an earlier flight was cancelled it will backfire for sure.)

Disneylvr, sorry people have been mean to you. That is uncalled for, especially if you are not in any way affecting them.

I think the problem is that a lot of larger people expect that others in their row will up the armrest in order to accomodate them, and this is where the problems start. I recall seeing two very large people with a very slim person between them in the row in front of me on a flight a couple years ago. The large people both demanded that they put up the armrest, and literally took over more than half of the middle seat between them. I believe it was a husband and wife who had booked window and aisle hoping that no one would be put between them. This was certainly not fair to anyone, regretfully it was a full flight. I felt very sorry for everyone, but I am sure that the person in the center was forever jaded by the experience.

Anne

[Disneylvr]

My office chair is 20" in width (about the size of a plane seat) but it also doesn't have arm rests. When my DH and I have been on planes with 3 seats on a side, the airline has assigned us to window and aisle. If a 3rd person is assigned that middle seat DH or I switches to that seat and offers the other passenger the aisle or window and we only lift up the arm rest between the two of us. You are right, it isn't fair to make that 3rd person uncomfortable BUT I really feel the fault lies with the airlines. I have come home with huge bruises on my legs from the arm rests. Why can't seats be a little wider! People come is ALL sizes and seats should *comfortably* accomodate almost everyone. Not just sizes 0-14. :(

[Beverly Lynn]

Midwest Express is all first class. nothing coach about them. thats why they have the widest seats.

[Disneylvr]

Too bad Midwest Express doesn't have more flights out of STL :( Oh well, at least TWA (American) has more leg room now. Maybe I can finally get that tray table down! And the passenger in front of me who put their seat back won't be in my lap.

[ducklite]

I am sure the airlines configure their planes for the "average" persons comfort. The average male is 5'8", and wears the equivilant of a womans size 14. The average female is 5'4", and wears the equivalent of a womans size 12. From first hand experience, the average person will fit into an airplane seat with a reasonable amount of comfort, at least for a short haul flight.

Regretfully in order to make the seats wider, they would have to either pull out an entire seat in each row (watch your airfares SKYROCKET!) or buy all new planes. Neither is going to happen.

I like the idea of having a few rows on each flight with first class size seats, but not the other first class amenities, which would be vailable for purchase at a surcharged amount. (ie, two seats where three would be at 150% of the normal fare each--and this could also be the normal discounted fare, not just unrestricted.) This might solve part of the issue. First class is usually about three times the unrestricted coach fare, btw. I do want to say that first class seats are still not large enough to comfortably seat a person in the over 300 lb range, and the arm rests on them don't go up, so first is not at all the best way to go for some people.

Anne

[FergieTCat]

ducklite --

I am flying to West Palm Beach on September 1st. I paid $111 RT, but the average fare is $179.50 RT (at least as of today). I priced the same route in first class, as both restricted and unrestricted. The fare is $1,400. That's not 3 times more, it's more like 8 times more!

Donna

[Disneylvr]

Okay, so the airlines configure the plane for the "average" size person, both weight and height. But in order to have an "average" size there has to be a fair number passengers above and below the "average." Everyone above that average doesn't have the right to be comfortable I guess. Not at all fair in my opinion. I myself would be willing to pay a reasonable amount more for a wider seat and more leg room, but not 3+ times more! Heck, I'll buy two seats in coach before I would do that. That is one thing I like about Amtrak. You can choose Coach Class or Business Class(formerly called Comfort Class). The business class seats are a couple of inches wider and are very comfortable for me even if someone sits in the seat next to me. On Amtrak, Business Class just means free beverages, free newspaper and a $3.00 meal coupon in addition to the slightly wider seats. It cost me, from St. Louis to Chicago, only $14 more round trip over the coach fair. Perhaps airlines should offer a *comfort class* that is 10-20% higher fare than regular coach but still much lower than first class. *Comfort Class* seats should have arm rests that can be raised unlike First Class. In my opinion, this is the only fair solution. But life isn't always fair is it. :(

[ducklite]

Michelle--

That is why I was suggesting the rows in coach with the FC size seats, but not the rest of FC amenities. These seats would be 150% the size of a regular seat, in that they would take out a three across and replace them with two seats that fit the same space. They would then charge 150% of the fare for them. So lets say that you found a fare of $200 for a coach seat. Instead you would book the larger coach seats for $300. Does that make sense? You'd actually get a slightly wider than FC seat without all of the other FC perks, for a fraction of the FC cost.

Actually I guess I didn't word my previous post very well, I was trying to say that for 3x the amount of money, a FC seat isn't always the best option. In my solution one seat that was 150% wider than a regular coach seat but at a fraction of the cost of FC--would be an affordable and IMHO very equitable solution.

Anne

[Disneylvr]

Anne,

Yes that would be a good solution. Someday it will happen, maybe. Until then my DH and I will just try and choose planes that are most comfortable for us and take off-peak flights. We are fine in coach as long as the two of us can sit together and raise the arm rest. I know I wouldn't like being in first class at all!

Tamie, when you make your air reservation make sure you tell the agent that your grandmother is a larger person. I know that at least with TWA they will block the middle seat and only fill it if someone needs it on the day of the flight. For us it has worked about 50% of the time. And like I said above, if a 3rd person is assigned that middle seat, my DH or I will offer him/her the aisle or window seat.

[villainwdw]

ok...a few coments here...I fly American I am 5'10 and am a big girl!I am tall so I carry it ok...the seats on AA are 17' wide........so what I have to do is to fly First class..I save my pooints and move!! I am heaavyer now then my last trip in "coach" so this shuld be interesting!!I always ask for balkid seats and have always gotten them.....becasue of a panic disorder on top of it!!!! but it really stinks because the reality is that america is 65% heaavyer then normal!! I have never been abole to pull up the armrests on AA do not think they do!

[Disneylvr]

OH NO!!! You can't put the arm rests up on American Airlines??? I live in St. Louis and almost always fly TWA which you know is now owned by American. I sure hope they don't change the arm rests on the former TWA planes :( Can anyone else confirm that the arm rests on AA don't go up in coach???

[ducklite]

Michelle-

That is not the case. The armrests do go up in the coach seats, except some aisle seats. Some of the aisle seats are designated for disabled pax and they go up on those as well.

Anne

[FergieTCat]

VillainWDW --

I would love to upgrade to first class, but either I don't have enough mileage, or if I do, they don't have any seats available.

Donna

[villainwdw]

the flights out of boston do not go up....I have tryed all oour seats, I have to sit in coach sept 18th!!on the planes we take out....there is a couple seats in the back that the armrests go up....but the reest do not

[danacara]

My last flight to Orlando was like that. I was in the middle seat between two women, both around a size 3x or so. They didn't know each other. I got to my seat, both armrests were up and between them I had only half a seat. There was no way those armrests were going to go back down unless one of them sat in the aisle - there was just no place for the armrests to go. So I sort of wedged myself in and didn't say anything. I didn't want to embarrass them. I have struggled with weight myself but never on that kind of a scale. The only part that I resented was that neither of them felt that they were putting me out. Their meals were on my tray table, I couldn't listen to the movie because the pod to plug in my headphones was on the armrest, and the lady in the window seat had brought extra snacks in her bag and was leaving the wrappers on my tray table. I think that flight jaded me forever. My advice to anyone who is worried about this: don't take anything personally (the flight attendant held up the seatbelt extenders and asked who needed one. They discussed between themselves how greviously insulted they were. I didn't say anything. My feeling was, the flight attendant has to do enough without tiptoeing around people's emotions about their weight.) My other piece of advice: apologize, even if you feel like you are doing nothing wrong. If the armrest has to be up, you are infringing on someone else's paid space. Maybe they don't mind and maybe they do, but apologize anyway. It can only create goodwill and doesn't cost your mouth anything.

[Disneylvr]

I know that there are allot of larger people who will lift up all arm rests in their aisle, but my DH and I only lift up the one between the two of us. But then we almost always choose planes that have the 2 seat side configuration so it isn't a problem. It is very important to us that we are NOT making any other passengers uncomfortable because of our weight. It isn't their fault and they have a right to a comfortable seat. I agree with that 100%.

As for the need for an extender; if I need one, I will tell the flight attendants that I need one. There is absolutely no reason for them to single me out just because I am overweight, obese, fat, whatever term you want to use. But it has happened and it wasn't appreciated it at all. I have my own extender that I carry with me on all flights. For those Pooh-sized air travelers who might need one of their, check this web site: www.amplestuff.com . I can understand if a flight attendant sees someone struggling with the belt, then they could offer an extender. But why embarrass someone who is already buckled in and quietly reading a book! If you know you need an extender before the flight, let the gate agents know or quietly tell the flight attendant when you are boarding. I have found Delta agents to be the most discreet about offering extenders. A word of caution; Southwest airlines has a different kind of seat belt and the extenders that Amplestuff sells will not work on that airlines.

[robinb]

As for the need for an extender; if I need one, I will tell the flight attendants that I need one. There is absolutely no reason for them to single me out just because I am overweight, obese, fat, whatever term you want to use. But it has happened and it wasn't appreciated it at all. I have my own extender that I carry with me on all flights.


I'm sure flight attendents who offer pooh-sized passengers such as yourself seat belt extenders are only doing so in consideration of your own comfort and safety. In addition, they are not singling you out ... they are correct that you need one. How are they supposed know you already have your own? Since many people do not latch thier seatbelts until they are told to do so, it saves them time to offer passengers the extenders ahead of time. If having an extender offered to you causes embarrasment, then you can try bucking up as soon as you sit down. It might work :).

[robinb]

Oopsie!

I just noticed that you said the you were already buckled in when the FA offered you an extender. Oh well, I guess I would be annoyed too!

I would still cut the FA some slack. They have a very difficult job to do. Getting a plane load of passengers in their seats and ready to go must be like herding cats. It takes longer to wait for a passenger who has no idea that an extender is even available to ask for help and then give it than to just offer the extender to someone in the first place.

[Disneylvr]

I know flight attendants have a hard job to do, but it doesn't take much effort or time to ask quietly. I never mind being asked quietly; for example, when I am in a restaurant and the server discreetly asks and brings me a chair without arms. That server gets an extra tip from me. The flight attendant who asked me yelled loud enough for 6 aisles in front and back of us top hear and everyone turned around to look. A letter was written to the airline and I was fairly compensated. Since then I have had no problems what-so-ever. I buckle up as soon as I sit down (always have) and when the FA makes his/her regular check on the seat belts, she sees this. I apologize for turning this thread into a debate but I am very vocal about the rights of pooh-sized people, having been one for over 10 years. Unless a person has been in our shoes, they have no idea how it feels (the looks, the not so whispered comments etc...) or how hard it is to change our weight. Hopefully one day I will lose enough weight to no longer be considered pooh-sized but I will always stick up for the rights of those who still are.

[FergieTCat]

Me, I just sit there crammed into my seat, hoping no one sits in the middle seat. I always take the window so I can sort of lean towards it, and not get bumped by the beverage cart.

The worst flight I've ever had was when I was smaller than I am now, so I guess it's all in your perspective. This little old bat (forgive me, but she was!) and her husband sat down. She immediately started griping that I took up too much of her seat (which no one has ever said to me before or since). Her husband told her to lift up the armrest between their seats and scootch over towards him, but she said that wasn't the point. I spent an entire flight to Florida with her elbow on the armrest, jabbing me in the side every now and then. And complaining to her husband. Her husband apologized to me at the end of the flight for HER rudeness.

But, Danacara, if I had been in your shoes, I would have asked the flight attendant to move me. I'm sure there were other empty middle seats. If not, maybe she could have accomodated you in another class. I can never get over how inconsiderate people are.

Donna

[Beverly Lynn]

I agree that lately flight attendants have no tact. all aircrafts have arm rests that go up. they have to for medically necessary reasons. (its the law) if you fit into the category that needs one you will get one of those seats. it must be noted on your PNR and then its also noted ont he passenger manifest as well. bulkhead does not have the arm rests that go up due to the fact that the tray tables are int eh arm rests. can't have both!:D I would suggest telling them when you make your ressie how important it is to have a seat with the armrest that goes up.

Dancara there is no reason that you should have been squashed the way you were. if you wanted your arm rest to go down and be able to utilize the earphone plug in then by all means you should have. you paid for your flight. no reason you should have been inconvenienced due to the pooh sized ladies. all you had to do was discreetly say something to the flight attendant or even go back to the gate agent and explain the situation and they could have put you in first class or another available seat in coach. and if they floweth over into the next seat then they should have to purchase that seat as well. (NO offense to the pooh people! I'm sort of one myself) but if you take up more than your share and make the person next to you uncomfortable its not fair to them either. do not be afraid or embarrassed to say something about it.

[danacara]

Ooh. Forgot to mention - the plane was full. Not a seat was to be had. Any other time, that's absolutely what I would have done!
Dana

[FergieTCat]

(NO offense to the pooh people! I'm sort of one myself) but if you take up more than your share and make the person next to you uncomfortable its not fair to them either. do not be afraid or embarrassed to say something about it.

Well, as the article mentioned in this thread points out ---

What if someone has long legs and his/her knees disturb the person in front of him/her? What if the someone insists on reclining all the way back and the person behind them ends up feeling uncomfotable? Shouldn't those people pay for extra seats also -- be it one seat in front of them or one seat behind them? Aren't they taking up more than their share of room? Aren't they making someone else feel uncomfortable?

It goes many different ways, not just width wise.

Donna

[Disneylvr]

Thank you Donna. My thoughts exactly. And I would like add the children who kick you from behind or stand up in the seat in front of you and throw toys, magazines, pillows into your lap, hang their arms into your aisle etc.... They are making passengers near them uncomfortable and taking more than their share of space.

[FriendsOfEeyore]

When my dw and I travel, we try to upgrade our seats to First Class for precisely the reasons mentioned here. Now to complicate things just a little more, we have found out that my dw is pregnant (this will be our first. A GOOD THING!!!). We are already pooh-sized people, so this will be interesting. I don't expect any complications in September (seats already upgraded), but our December trip will be a different story. We are currently only six weeks along, but come December, she will be six months. I just wish that the "average" seat size was greater than 17". I understand that prices would rise, but I am willing to pay more. I don' t anticipate having enough miles come December to upgrade, so we may be purchasing actual First Class tickets or cancelling our trip.

[Disneylvr]

Congrats on the upcoming birth!!!! DH and I are trying for a little buddle of our own. I sure hope you can get that upgrade. I just found out that the plane on our return flight has been changed to a 757 from a MD-80 so I am hoping for a first class upgrade myself.
The tickets were bought with my parent's ff miles so I am also allowed to switch flights if I want to but I hope to use my own ff miles for an upgrade.

[robinb]

Edward & Katherine:

Congratulations on your baby-to-be! My sister is a pooh-sized person and she actually lost weight during each one of her pregnancies. At her first baby shower 1 week before she had her DD you could barely tell that she was PG. So ... your wife may not need and extra room than normal.

Just to make this post totally off-topic, I see that you're going to WDW 3 times this year. After enjoying being on-site, you might want to consider DVC if you keep up this pace ;).

[AllanJ]

It is worth figuring out in advance if the flight has standbys. Then if you have a problem with too-big seatmates you can ask the F/A to exchange you with a standby. THe airline owes you with a reserved seat compensation if it goes ahead and gives standby's better treatment than you over your protests.

Also don't squeeze in next to larger folks. Ask for help immediately, going back out to the gate coubnter for a new seat assignment if necessary. (Here is another place where you can ask them to pull of a standby so you can have that seat.)

More Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[Brer boy]

On our last flight to WDW my DD and I (both Tigger-sized) just finished our delightful meal and she decided to lean back her seat. Suddenly a snippy voice from behind says "Excuse me, we're still eating!" I turn around and there are two Pooh ladies with angry faces. I said "These seats are designed to be reclined at any time and not interfere with trays." But being the patient person I am, I just told my DD to keep seat up for now. Later, a flight attendent came by and I asked her if we can recline our seats even though the two ladies were still eating. She leaned over and looked at them and said "Yes, you can recline, the seats are designed..." what I said originally. So we both reclined. Needless to say, the rest of the flight there was constant knocking into our seats.
Yes, seats will probably be widened or rows removed in the near future to accomodate the weight epidemic occuring in the US. The fact is no other nation has this "epidemic". If you travel to Europe or Japan, the people get more exercise and walk or ride bikes much of the time. For the US, this is a side effect of our prosperity.

[Beverly Lynn]

if you are not able to fit in your seat comfortable (or as near as possible) without making those around you uncomfortable and squashing them ..then maybe they should all pay for the second seat. but if you are tall then your body doesn't runneth over into the next seat. and most tall people do request the emergency exit row since it has a bit more room. since I have worked at a tkt cntr I have encountered many many people who request this row for the extra leg room. and I have also had people come back out to the gate to tell me that they can't sit in their seat because of the large person next to them. and we as employees must be very selective in our wording on how we approach the situation. the person who has come to me because they could not sit with out the person next to them squashing them I moved to another seat and if that was not available then I moved them to first class. I have worked in the res part of an airlines too and I have had many people tell me that they are large and needed a seat and a half. hey we all come in many shapes and sizes and if you are that sensitive about it then maybe you should consider buying a seat in first class or buying the seat and a half this way no one will sit next to you. its not right that either person be made to feel uncomfortable. Everyone who has paid for his/her own seat has the right to sit in that seat by themselves and not be squashed by a large person nor have their backs poked by long legs. if you are uncomfortable then the bottem line is to speak with the flt attnd or go back to the gate agent. there is no need to make a scene...but everyone has the right to speak up about it. `its all in the way that you do it. so Donna I hope this clears it up for you. might I suggest that the next time you make a reservation have the agent on the phone put an OSI message in for you requesting that you be sat in the exit row if at all possible this way you have some extra leg room or that you sit in the row in front of the exit row so that you don't have the chance of any knees poking you in the back. other than that the only other thing I can suggest to you is first class. this way you will have enough body room and leg room and no chance of getting poked in the back. this way it covers all angles. or you can buy a seat and a half this way you know that you ahve the seat next to you open. or if midwest express flys from your airport try flying them. they are a wonderful airline and its all first class service and you won't have any of the above forementioned problems. they do have a frequent flyer program as well. they go out of their way to their passengers.

[ducklite]

Even in first class you can encouter problems. Last month I was in FC with a guy who hadn't showered in a week. His BO was so bad that he stunk the entire flight up!

A few years ago I was on a flight with a couple of NBA players. Those poor guys still hit their knees on the backs of the seats in front of them, even in FC! They were very nice though :-)

Anne

[CookieGVB]

Just goes to show that people can be obnoxious, no matter WHAT the size! :rolleyes:

I try to avoid flying alone for the size reason - my boys are usually the ones sitting next to me, and they generally don't complain. (yeah, right!)

A little sensitivity training would go a long way - both for the smaller and larger-sized travelers. Personally, I'd rather have a snippy person sitting next to me, than a child who is allowed to constantly kick my chair, have loud, high-pitched, squealing laughing fits, and shout to another child across the aisle for the entire trip (this was our return flight). It was so bad, that my own son wondered when the kid's mother was going to make him shut up! :rolleyes: So while my size might inconvenience the person sitting next to me, there are ROWS of people who are inconvenienced by loud children out of control, and the parents who are clueless and have the opinion "kids will be kids!"

[Ted and Holly]

Without disrespecting anyone in this discussion, I think (regardless of size) screaming children and people who lean back in their seats (especially at meal time) would cause me to have "air rage" Some people can just be so disrespectful of others around them and it drives me NUTS! Pooh sized people have just as much as right on the flight as any other paying customer and should be treated with respect and dignity. The idea of having to fly first class is silly, and a pooh sized person should not be penalized for sitting in coach.

Holly P

[Brer boy]

Holly,
People who lean back in their seats give you "air rage"? Really?

[Beverly Lynn]

I never once said that pooh sized people have no right to sit on an airplane. but skinny people and as well as pooh people have a right to sit in their seats without being squashed or made fun of. I have not done this. nor have I said that people need to be obnoxious about it either. and yes believe it or not we do go thru training for this sort of situation. and it must be worded exactly in a way that offends no one. and as for the kids whose parents don't control them I wholeheartedly agree. and I for one do not hesitate to say something to the parents regarding it. just because you are in the air in a plane does not mean you no longer watch your child nor correct it. maybe the planes should be divided into pooh sized, skinny sized, family w/ kids,and tall people. this way each can sit in his/her own section and be comfortable and void of all mentioned above.

[Disneylvr]

Beverly Lynn, thank you! You said it so well.

I have one last bit of advice. I am flying to Orlando in December and originally we on an MD-80 that has a 2 seater side. That is the type of plane that I prefer because I know my Pooh Size isn't going to make another passenger uncomfortable. My husband and I just sit together on that side and raise the arm rest and we are perfectly comfortable. Well they changed our return flight to a 757 which has the 3-3 seating arrangement and we were window and middle seat and another poor passenger had already been assigned to sit next to us in the aisle seat. I contacted TWA to see what could be done explaining that we were larger than the average person...... They suggested we ask to be reassigned to an empty row (I did that and chose aisle 30d and 30f near the back of the plane) leaving the middle seat empty. They said chances are that if the flight wasn't full, no one would be assigned to that seat. If that seat does fill up we have the option of upgrading to first class for $100 more. I think those are very fair options. Anyone who is Pooh Size and has concerns, contact your airline and see what they advise or could offer you. TWA was very understanding and easy to work with.

[pnelson]

As far as children go, what about a two-year old who is having a tantrum or is scared? It can be very hard to calm a disoriented child down. I know when my son was 3 and on his first trip to Disney, we had a very hard time waking him up and then calming him down when it was almost time to leave the plane. My husband had to literally carry him off screaming. By then, he hadn't slept all day and had only fell asleep for the last 15 minutes of the flight. What about those situations?

As far as kicking, we have always booked the seat in front of my son and either my husband or I take turns sitting in it. It's hard for a kid who is used to moving to sometimes not bump the seat in front of him. I guess I have more compassion for parents traveling with children having been in the situation myself.

Yes, overweight people (I refuse to call them pooh) should be allowed to sit in coach-same as everyone else. But anyone who cannot fit in a seat for whatever reason should be financially responsible to book two seats or sit in first.

I would have a royal fit if my arm rest were made to stay up. I would stand up and refuse to sit there unless my arm rest is down. I refuse to be pressed up against a stranger-overweight or otherwise during a flight.

Patty

[Disneylvr]

Screaming kids don't bother me at all nor does being kicked once in awhile from behind. I am a children's librarian and work with kids 8+ hours a day and am quite used to children who are screaming or crying. I know that it can't be helped and flying can be very stressful for a child and often for the poor parents. That never annoys me and being a librarian I sometimes bring board books along with me to hand out to children who are unhappy on the plane. But children shouldn't be climbing around on the seats or invading someone elses seat space which I see happen occassionally on flights. In May the little boy in front of me stood on his seat and kept throwing his toys, food etc. onto my lap. The mother did nothing to correct the child. The plane was quite empty so I just moved to another seat, but that isn't always possible.

I am sorry you don't like the term Pooh Sized, but this is a Disney related site and Winnie the Pooh is overweight but also loveable, huggable and friendly which is what I would rather be known as than "that fat/overweight/obese/chubby woman" who takes up more than her fair share of space or an example of the "weight epidemic" in the United States :(

[Ted and Holly]

Yes.... I would have a bit of air rage. We try so hard to be polite and not to bother anyone on the flight. I guess I just get so upset when other people don't do the same! Even last time we flew when Ted was sick, he was polite enough not to lean his seat back as leg room was tight. As for the kids, I love children, and think most of their antics are cute. However, when they are ignored or not controlled by their parents, I get upset.... I admire any parent that flies with children... it must be quite difficult sometimes. Most parents do a wonderful job of keeping their child entertained and doing everything they can to keep them from "bothering" others. It's just those select few that don't care if it bothers others....I'm sure many of you know the kind I'm referring to!
I get really wound up about flying anyway. I am scared to death... that extra bit of stress of seats, kids, being smushed by other passengers, arm rests, etc. get me going.... Don't worry about getting stuck on the same flight as me... I'll be heavily sedated next time we fly!


:) Holly P

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by pnelson
As far as children go, what about a two-year old who is having a tantrum or is scared? It can be very hard to calm a disoriented child down

My thoughts exactly...don't be too quick to blame bad parenting (although goodness knows there is enough of that around) for loud children. One thing I thought of is the pure, innocent excitement that comes from flying to Disney, which is hard for little ones to contain at times (and part of the joy of going there, IMO). Granted, try to contain it! *grin* Another thing to keep in mind is the pressure changes and the pain on the ears of little ones. My nephew, normally a well behaved child, was a HORROR in the last part of our last flight down, once we started losing altitude. He had had several operations for tubes in his ears, and when the flight started to descend, the pain hit him and there was NOTHING that could have stopped his screams and physical movements. My sister-in-law did all she could to contain him, but he was arching his back, refusing to be held but refusing to sit still, it resulted in mutters around me (a few rows back) that angered me greatly because the instant assumtion was "BRAT" and "LOUSY MOTHER" - it resulted in a drink FLYING over the seat on to the lady in front of them, who thank goodness understood all that was going on and was not upset - and as for my poor sister-in-law, it resulted first in tears of embarassment, a black eye from a wild elbow of her sons, and in the end applause and pats on the back from those in the rows around her, that got the gist of the cause of the behavior, and congratulated her on doing all she could to help her son get through the flight.

Needless to say, now they either drive, or buy EarPlanes to help with the pain.

[Ted and Holly]

4 of Us-
It's people like your sister-in-law that do everything in their power to keep their kids AND fellow passengers happy! It's not an easy job, especially when the poor kid is in pain... not the type I was referring to....not at all!

Holly

[Disneylvr]

And I second Holly's response. Not at all what I was referring to either. All passengers should be aware and remember that there are special circumstances with children when bad behavior cannot be helped by the child or the parent.

[The4OfUs]

:) I know you weren't, Holly, not to worry - and for the record, my SIL is a travel agent, so she is extra sensitive to other people on planes as she has heard all the stories many times. I guess that I just wanted to plant a bug in everyone's ear to keep in mind that when you hear that kid screaming in front of the plane, don't automatically jump to the conclusion that the kid is a brat and the parents are bad, which is what all the people who were sitting around me on that flight did, commenting pretty loudly things like "Learn to control your kid, will ya?" and "Kids just do whatever they want these days, a good spanking is all he needs!". :( I guess it was good my kids were sitting with me, or I'd have let some comments go at the folks that were that mean-spirited.

I go on planes expecting to be uncomfortable, and that way I'm not disappointed. *grin*

[Brer boy]

Holly, am I missing something? You consider leaning the seat back as not being polite and cause for air rage? What about the light? Can the passenger next to you use that to read? Or the fan if they're hot? We fly about 2 - 3 times a year and I never interpret the person in front of me as being impolite just for using the seat as it is designed to be used...
:confused:

[wackywitch]

I used to be "Pooh-sized" myself, and the first time I flew in 1998, I was so squashed and uncomfortable that I poneyed up the extra $500.00 to sit in FC on the way back. Been there, done that.

Then I lost the weight and took another ride in early 2000 in coach. Although 100lbs lighter and more "normal" sized, I was still uncomfortable in coach. Then an angel of mercy (and the DIS boards!) turned me onto MidWest Express and I flew them this year in February. AHHHH!!! What bliss!!! The seat was actually TOO BIG for me! I could scootch around and cross my legs! I could have sat cross-legged if I wanted! (and it were legal to do with a seat-belt on)

I had to drive to Grand Rapids from Lansing, pay for parking for a week, and catch a commuter over the pond to Wisconsin, but it was SO worth it! I highly recommend flying a short flight, if needed, to get to a hub that has MWE. Especially for the "Pooh-sized" in all of us! While I won't pay the extra 1K for FC, I'll gladly pay the extra $100.00 for a flight that has ALL FC seats AND serves warm chocolate chip cookies as desert after a fine meal on real china and a complimentary glass of wine!

As far as screaming kids are concerned, I'm lucky as well. I used to completely lose my hearing on flights, but when I discovered Ear Planes, I only lose about 50% of it. (Kinda like hearing things underwater) While I can hear screaming and crying babies, (and totally understand their pain) I take fiendish delight in only hearing the muddy sounds of the seven y/o hellion behind me screaming "Who let the dogs out" over and over and over for 2 hours. Ear plugs would be wonderful for people who would be bothered by this behavior.

While I can't change their actions or behavior, I CAN change my reaction to it! :)

[ducklite]

I think there's a big difference between a childing obviously howling in pain, and out of control brats running around and throwing things at people. Yes, I admit it, during a flight about 12 years ago I pulled out a roll of duct tape (long story as to why I was carrying duct tape in my carryon) and told the lady in front of me that she was welcome to use it if it would keep her brat from throwing thngs at me for the remainder of the flight. She just thought he was being cute. I was ready to pitch him out the door and let her follow. She took the hint and made him sit down--he had spent the previous two hours leaning over the seat, pulling my book out of my hands and dropping things in my lap. But the look on her face when she realized that not everyone thought her brat was priceless was one I'll never forget.

I got lots of thank you's from fellow pax as well :-)

Anne

[danacara]

Ducklite - hysterical. Absolutely hysterical. I probably would have gotten into legal trouble for bounding the little angel's hands myself with the tape while he was leaning over his seat - "I have absolutely no idea how that happened!" That's the bad Dana coming out!

I wish I could fly Midwest Express - how nice that would be! No hubs around here though.

If the person in front of you leans his seat back, lean your own seat back. Now you have exactly the same square inchage as before.

Finally - when I was little and we flew, my mother gave me a couple of tsps. of children's cold medicine about 10 mins. before the flight. I spent the 2 hour trip sort of drowsy and comfy. It's not the worst idea in the world. Medicine doesn't hurt the kid, and they are back to full power by landing.

[Ms. Diz]

:) Maybe we just need to accept being overweight as a lifestyle choice, like smoking. It is there choice and we needn't judge anyone. We all live in glass houses. Overweight people do not expect to be treated different or special privilages just for being larger. Let's all spread some pixie dust because whether you take up one seat or two or three, we're all heading to the most magical place on earth!:) :earsgirl:

[Ted and Holly]

Brerboy-

I guess I'm remembering the flight I had last year where we got stuck in one of those seats in front of the emergency exit... the leg room was extra small. I am overweight... nowhere near large enough to need two seats or worry about squishing others.... but just enough to feel slightly cramped.... the distance between the seat and front of me and myself was so small, that when the tray table came down, it was lightly touching my stomach. It did not completely have to do with my size, as the woman next to me (quite thin) didn't have much more room than me. She even commented about praying the people in front of us did not recline their seats! If the people in front of us had leaned back their seats with the tray tables down, I would have been pinned between the tray and the seat. Furthermore, the seats in this row did not recline... it was miserable! I can't imagine what it would have been like for a larger person! Ever since we sat like that for over three hours, I'm extra careful to not lean my seat back.... It's just a thing I have.... air, lights, whatever else is no big deal... just be aware that when and if you do lean your seat back, you could be making the people behind you very uncomfortable, especially if they're in one of those rows in front of the emergency exit....maybe that was the situation with those Pooh sized ladies behind you trying to eat!

Holly P :o

[CookieGVB]

There is a HUGE difference between a child being in pain from the air pressure change in the plane, and one who is simply being loud and annoying and out of control for an entire flight. I am a mother - I think by now I can distinguish between the two of them. As far as the sleeping child, I'd have let him sleep and carried him off the plane...especially if I wasn't traveling alone.

I have often wondered why airlines don't give pamphlets to people traveling with small children about different remedies for the ear pain from the changing pressure. Hell, they'll sell people earphones for listening to music, why not offer to sell people "ear planes" as well. I only learned they existed last year for our second trip (after my older son had a lot of trouble with his ears) - I think it's safe to say that many people traveling with young children don't know they exist.

[Mouser]

Can anyone tell me the size of the seats on the Delta Connection Carrier Planes...Atlantic Southeast Airways.....There are two seats across on these planes, it is just my DH and I traveling but I am wondering how wide the seats are....if anyone knows??? Are most airline seats 17 inches across in coach class??

[villainwdw]

yes....coach seats are 17 inches. I do feel that no matter who yu are....I happen to be a pooh sized tall person...so my odds are out!! but even my daughter who is a size 1 and is tall has a problem.......we do upgrade to first class....but coming up with the cash is hard.........the bottom line is they are trying to sqush more people in a plane.....and if money was not the bottom line....we would nto have this problem.......screaming kids, big people, tall people.avarage people.....these planes are just down right over crowded!! maybe they should just suck it up and make bigger seats! mind you Americans are 65% overweight!! so we out weight the Avrg! it is about time they fix it!! because it will be a cold day in H*** when I am gonna pay for a second seat!!!!!!!

[CarolA]

American has upgraded their seat size. However, unless you are willing to pay more for this feature I doubt you will see it much. The simple truth is that the $130 roundtrip airfares are money losers and that in order to make ends meet you have to squish more people on the plane! I find it interesting that in this whole thread only a few people have said they were willing to pay more. If you want the seat between you empty, book it! Buy two seats! The bottom line is that the airlines are not a social service but a business that has to make a profit! Your only vote is with your pocketbook and while we may be an overweight society, we are also cheap when it comes to airfare!

Also someone asked about Atlantic Southeast. These are small planes and depending on if you get a jet or a prop plane the seats can be very small! I am fairly sure they are smaller than the Delta Jets (and Delta express is more crowded than Delta!)

As for pooh size, I once got on a plane and could not even get in my seat (Much less fasten the seat belt!) due to the size of the person next to me. I had a ROYAL row with the airline in question since they seemed to think the fact that my seatbelt was not accessible was not an issue (the gate agent told me just not to fasten it!) I belive I said something about calling the FAA, but I got booked on another plane!

My other solution to seat kicking is to reach back and grab the offending kids leg! That usually scares the mom enough to get her to realize that her child is being a brat! Screaming may be unavoidable, playing drums with your legs on the back of the seat in front of you is avoidable.

[Ted and Holly]

Here's a relevant link to a similar discussion.


http://archive.abcnews.go.com/sections/travel/DailyNews/chat_bigtrav.html