The Everything Pooh Sized Thread

[ppony]

Regarding the seatbelt extender for the plane, do you remove it and hand it back in at the end of the flight or do you just leave it attached to the seatbelt?

I've done both. I'm sure they appreciate it being handed back in.... but, sometimes the hands are full as it is...or I don't relish drawing attention to my size, yet again.

 

[IowaTater]

I bought my own online, just to save myself the embarrassment of asking for one.

I can't remember the exact website I purchased it from but it wasn't that expensive.

 

[palofeeyore]

Thanks for the info! I'm not 100% sure that I'll need the extender, but I think I will ask for one, just in case. Even if I can get the regular seatbelt to latch, I will probably be more comfortable with the extender.

 

[MHSweb79]

I believe the test seats are out of the way, so you'll have privacy.

Disney does a MUCH better job accommodating guests of all sizes than other theme parks.

 

[qtmissy19]

So I am 330ish and 5'8 wearing a size 22/24. My hips and butt are where I carry the most of it. My issue isn't with the rides at Disney, it is with the airplane. It will be me (window) son (middle) and hubby (aisle). Our choices of airplane carriers are either American or United. I have flown before wearing a size bigger but at a smaller weight (believe it or not, it was right after I gave birth to my son) and I fit in the seat and fit the seatbelt, but that was like 10 years ago. I am freaked out that I would have to pay for an extra seat. I know the rules. I guess I am just looking for experiences from others that have been on an airplane lately. Did you fit? Did you have to pay for an extra seat. Also my hubby is a bigger guy, but he has no butt or hips. He does have wide shoulders and a bigger belly. He is like a 4xl in shirts, but pants his pants are a size 46. Any insight about your experience when flying would be great.

Thank you

 

[bxccah]

So I am 330ish and 5'8 wearing a size 22/24. My hips and butt are where I carry the most of it. My issue isn't with the rides at Disney, it is with the airplane. It will be me (window) son (middle) and hubby (aisle). Our choices of airplane carriers are either American or United. I have flown before wearing a size bigger but at a smaller weight (believe it or not, it was right after I gave birth to my son) and I fit in the seat and fit the seatbelt, but that was like 10 years ago. I am freaked out that I would have to pay for an extra seat. I know the rules. I guess I am just looking for experiences from others that have been on an airplane lately. Did you fit? Did you have to pay for an extra seat. Also my hubby is a bigger guy, but he has no butt or hips. He does have wide shoulders and a bigger belly. He is like a 4xl in shirts, but pants his pants are a size 46. Any insight about your experience when flying would be great.

Thank you

Me and my mum are about the same size, we both had to pay for a bigger seat flying back to London. Flying out to Orlando, we didnt, but we were very very uncomfortable, even with seatbelt extension. Worst 10 hours of my life, couldn't relax.

 

[ppony]

So I am 330ish and 5'8 wearing a size 22/24. My hips and butt are where I carry the most of it. My issue isn't with the rides at Disney, it is with the airplane. It will be me (window) son (middle) and hubby (aisle). Our choices of airplane carriers are either American or United. I have flown before wearing a size bigger but at a smaller weight (believe it or not, it was right after I gave birth to my son) and I fit in the seat and fit the seatbelt, but that was like 10 years ago. I am freaked out that I would have to pay for an extra seat. I know the rules. I guess I am just looking for experiences from others that have been on an airplane lately. Did you fit? Did you have to pay for an extra seat. Also my hubby is a bigger guy, but he has no butt or hips. He does have wide shoulders and a bigger belly. He is like a 4xl in shirts, but pants his pants are a size 46. Any insight about your experience when flying would be great.

Thank you

Flying is potentially a very humliating experience now for us very overweight. It's only getting worse w/ it being perfectly acceptable to be prejudice against people for thie looks if it comes to their weight.

I was about 280 last I flew but more of a 26/28, carrying the most in my hips and rear. I bring my own extender w/ me though (though I hear they are no longer allowing this??? if they catch you anyway) I've only actually needed it once on one of those tiny, tiny puddle jump planes. Anyway, I fit fine and used my extender for comfort though I dind't actually need to, I shoehorned myself into the belt they had. Anyway, I didn't have to pay for an extra seat and I fit well within one w/ no "spill-over" or I would pay for another if I was going to impact someone else's comfort. I also am sure to pay extra for the isle or window so I can lean away from someone that's next to me should it not be a family member.

Now, that said. Here are some caveats that are making things all the harder.
1: even if you pay an upcharge for more space (some airlines won't make you pay a full fare for that "extra seat"), if they oversell the flight which they do far more often than not now, you just lost that extra space and your money. Though I'm sure you could argue after the fact to maybe get it refunded.
2: unless things have changed in the last 5 years since I checked last, even if you pay extra for that seat, even full fare, that seat isn't obligated to be next to you!! I know!!! OBSURD! Even IF you pay that extra to assign yourself seats, for example, that seat you paid extra for to be next to you, you still aren't guaranteed that either.

My aunt and her family just traveled to Cancun a few months back. They are all average weight. She paid for each member of her family (2 adults and 2 children) on United to be seated together. Not only did they still seat tham all apart, they did it on BOTH the flight down and return flight!!! (I'm sure she probably got her $ back after the trip and complaining which requires more time and energy to rectify their problem... but that's not the point)

I personally don't like to see "big government", but when commons sense and decency is lost in business, I think they need to step in and stop poor and unethical business practices like separating young children from parents (even special needs kids!!! it's been done) and the possibility of charging by weight now. On that last issue, I really want to see actual numbers on exactly how much 100 pounds (for example) costs in jet fuel before they start weighing me at the screening or gate. And should that come to it anyway, I will stop flying and I'll drive (domestically). Period. Don't look up the articles on passengers paying based on weight and even if you do, don't read the commentary, it's vicious and unimaginably cruel.

Good luck OP! There are certain carriers that are known for humiliating passengers about their weight, so beware of them, but, there are always possibilities that any carrier can do it and you have no recourse. It's frightening.

 

[nfrank]

Flying is potentially a very humliating experience now for us very overweight. It's only getting worse w/ it being perfectly acceptable to be prejudice against people for thie looks if it comes to their weight.

I was about 280 last I flew but more of a 26/28, carrying the most in my hips and rear. I bring my own extender w/ me though (though I hear they are no longer allowing this??? if they catch you anyway) I've only actually needed it once on one of those tiny, tiny puddle jump planes. Anyway, I fit fine and used my extender for comfort though I dind't actually need to, I shoehorned myself into the belt they had. Anyway, I didn't have to pay for an extra seat and I fit well within one w/ no "spill-over" or I would pay for another if I was going to impact someone else's comfort. I also am sure to pay extra for the isle or window so I can lean away from someone that's next to me should it not be a family member.

Now, that said. Here are some caveats that are making things all the harder.
1: even if you pay an upcharge for more space (some airlines won't make you pay a full fare for that "extra seat"), if they oversell the flight which they do far more often than not now, you just lost that extra space and your money. Though I'm sure you could argue after the fact to maybe get it refunded.
2: unless things have changed in the last 5 years since I checked last, even if you pay extra for that seat, even full fare, that seat isn't obligated to be next to you!! I know!!! OBSURD! Even IF you pay that extra to assign yourself seats, for example, that seat you paid extra for to be next to you, you still aren't guaranteed that either.

My aunt and her family just traveled to Cancun a few months back. They are all average weight. She paid for each member of her family (2 adults and 2 children) on United to be seated together. Not only did they still seat tham all apart, they did it on BOTH the flight down and return flight!!! (I'm sure she probably got her $ back after the trip and complaining which requires more time and energy to rectify their problem... but that's not the point)

I personally don't like to see "big government", but when commons sense and decency is lost in business, I think they need to step in and stop poor and unethical business practices like separating young children from parents (even special needs kids!!! it's been done) and the possibility of charging by weight now. On that last issue, I really want to see actual numbers on exactly how much 100 pounds (for example) costs in jet fuel before they start weighing me at the screening or gate. And should that come to it anyway, I will stop flying and I'll drive (domestically). Period. Don't look up the articles on passengers paying based on weight and even if you do, don't read the commentary, it's vicious and unimaginably cruel.

Good luck OP! There are certain carriers that are known for humiliating passengers about their weight, so beware of them, but, there are always possibilities that any carrier can do it and you have no recourse. It's frightening.

Just for any of those out there who might be worried about such a humiliating situation.... I have recently come to discover that the ideal airline to fly with--if you're flying coach--is Southwest. Shocking, I know! If any of you out there heard about the situation quite a while back where Southwest kicked Kevin Smith off of one of their flights for being Pooh-sized.... well, apparently they've changed their tune A LOT when it comes to customers of size. Now--apparently--if you purchase an extra ticket up front, they will refund you for your extra ticket whether the flight is full or not. In addition, if you cannot afford the extra ticket, you can talk to them at the gate and they will work to accommodate your seating needs. Talk about a huge turn around! You can check their site or just Google "Southwest airlines customer of size". I was a bit shocked. But needless to say, for my July trip my mother and I are flying Southwest!

 

[ppony]

Just for any of those out there who might be worried about such a humiliating situation.... I have recently come to discover that the ideal airline to fly with--if you're flying coach--is Southwest. Shocking, I know! If any of you out there heard about the situation quite a while back where Southwest kicked Kevin Smith off of one of their flights for being Pooh-sized.... well, apparently they've changed their tune A LOT when it comes to customers of size. Now--apparently--if you purchase an extra ticket up front, they will refund you for your extra ticket whether the flight is full or not. In addition, if you cannot afford the extra ticket, you can talk to them at the gate and they will work to accommodate your seating needs. Talk about a huge turn around! You can check their site or just Google "Southwest airlines customer of size". I was a bit shocked. But needless to say, for my July trip my mother and I are flying Southwest!

That's interesting to hear, because after that incident with another woman where they humiliated her on the plan in front of everyone, I and my extended family promised never to fly them. She was easily thinner than I was at the time and no way was I going to chance that. I even wrote SW to tell them so and of course got the same blah blah blah response from them indicating "too bad". Though it's still an issue as we have kids and one being special needs and w/o having flown them before, we'll be relegated to the last ones on, which won't work for us. But thanks for that heads up. I'll search it out.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

So I am 330ish and 5'8 wearing a size 22/24. My hips and butt are where I carry the most of it. My issue isn't with the rides at Disney, it is with the airplane. It will be me (window) son (middle) and hubby (aisle). Our choices of airplane carriers are either American or United. I have flown before wearing a size bigger but at a smaller weight (believe it or not, it was right after I gave birth to my son) and I fit in the seat and fit the seatbelt, but that was like 10 years ago. I am freaked out that I would have to pay for an extra seat. I know the rules. I guess I am just looking for experiences from others that have been on an airplane lately. Did you fit? Did you have to pay for an extra seat. Also my hubby is a bigger guy, but he has no butt or hips. He does have wide shoulders and a bigger belly. He is like a 4xl in shirts, but pants his pants are a size 46. Any insight about your experience when flying would be great.

Thank you

I haven't been on a plane in about two and a half years, not since my last solo trip to WDW. I flew Southwest and chose to buy the extra seat because I didn't want to risk being booted off the plane or being forced to buy it at the last minute. When I boarded, I tried the armrests and didn't quite fit. Most of my weight is in my butt and stomach, so I was worried about fitting in the seat. I'm about 270 (depending on which scale you believe; I'm going by the one at the clinic I went to last month), 5'10", and a size 26/28.

When you do it on Southwest, they allow you to pre-board with the people who need extra time, to guarantee that your seats are together. If you're late boarding, there's no guarantee. At one point, someone tried to sit next to me and the flight attendant told them to move, that the seat was mine, and I'd paid for it. That's their policy for the extra seat. I don't know about any other airlines, since I haven't flown anything but Southwest in years.

 

[ppony]

I just Googled the SW thing and there it is, on their site. Smart!! They must have caught a LOT of flack for what they did. Good. THANKS for the tip. I'm not sure we'll ever be able to do it because I'm worried about not being seated w/ my special needs son, but I'll let my extended family know of their change in policy.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I just Googled the SW thing and there it is, on their site. Smart!! They must have caught a LOT of flack for what they did. Good. THANKS for the tip. I'm not sure we'll ever be able to do it because I'm worried about not being seated w/ my special needs son, but I'll let my extended family know of their change in policy.

My parents just flew Southwest to Vegas. They said that special needs kids were allowed to preboard with one parent. As far as I know, people who abide by the Customer of Size rules preboard as well. So you would be able to sit with him, but I'd still call to make sure.

 

[ppony]

My parents just flew Southwest to Vegas. They said that special needs kids were allowed to preboard with one parent. As far as I know, people who abide by the Customer of Size rules preboard as well. So you would be able to sit with him, but I'd still call to make sure.

Good to know!!! Thank you!! The thought of Daniel being seated seperatly was terrfying to me. Sounds like we can give them a shot now.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Not a problem I'd definitely call them just to confirm, though, as this is second hand information. But between the special needs child and the possibility of the extra seat, I'm sure you'd be able to pre-board.

 

[ppony]

Not a problem I'd definitely call them just to confirm, though, as this is second hand information. But between the special needs child and the possibility of the extra seat, I'm sure you'd be able to pre-board.

Will do! THANKS!!!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

 

[nfrank]

Will do! THANKS!!!

Worst case scenario, they also offer something called "Early-bird Check-in" which you can pay to add to your flight (it's $12.50 per one-way flight, per ticket), which allows you to be checked into your flight 36 hours before departure (12 hours before non-Early-bird-ers )--potentially giving you a better boarding position.

 

[awfullybigadventure]

Oh my gosh! I haven't spent one second worrying about the flights until the last couple of days reading the recent posts on this thread! I am a nervous wreck now!!! If they tell me that I'm too big or if the seat belt doesn't fit, I might die of embarrassment! I don't want my kids and husband to get upset by it either. I haven't flown in a couple of years and I have gained a lot of weight since then. I can't believe how nervous I am!

 

[ppony]

Oh my gosh! I haven't spent one second worrying about the flights until the last couple of days reading the recent posts on this thread! I am a nervous wreck now!!! I am 5'7", 260 lbs. and a size 20. If they tell me that I'm too big or if the seat belt doesn't fit, I might die of embarrassment! I don't want my kids and husband to get upset by it either. I haven't flown in a couple of years and I have gained a lot of weight since then. I can't believe how nervous I am!

Given your stats and knowing mine , I am 99.999999% certain you'll be perfectly fine. Size 20 is still well within the armrests.

But yes, flying now is VERY anxiety filled for the overweight. Will we be humiliated?

 

[ppony]

Worst case scenario, they also offer something called "Early-bird Check-in" which you can pay to add to your flight (it's $12.50 per one-way flight, per ticket), which allows you to be checked into your flight 36 hours before departure (12 hours before non-Early-bird-ers )--potentially giving you a better boarding position.

Oooo. I'd do that just to help w/ the anxiety. I never fully settle down in tension until I am seated on that plane. I'm a horrible person to travel with or go anywhere w/ crowds. Unknowns are my undoing.