airplane for large people

[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...

 

[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!

 

[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

 

[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.