Continental's Policy on Large Pooh Sized Customers of Size

[ducklite]

I don't believe that those eight seats were connecting. It's very possible that the flight attendants did not want to move you due to your complaint.

Like I said you should ask yourself why no one wanted to help you....not one person that you approached offered to allow you to switch. I know I would wonder why....perhaps you should as well.

You are something else. I saw the screen at the gate showing an "X" on every seat on the flight. There were NO UNTICKETED SEATS in coach. It was the last flight of the night.

I asked them to move the POS to FC for THEIR COMFORT and was told that was not their policy.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Moving you to FC would have rewarded you and moving her would have embarassed her as well as the person she was traveling with. But then obviously you don't see that do you.

The CRO told you that the door was closing in 10 minutes so that meant that they knew the connecting flight was not going to show up but still did not offer you one of those seats. Like I said....ask yourself why that is.

They could have easily found another person to move to FC then. Like I said, all I wanted was the use of the seat I paid for--or another seat on the plane.

They waited until the very last minute for that Virgin flight, and when they determined that those passengers weren't going to make the connection, they offered me one of the seats left vacant. It was down to the wire as to if that other flight would make the connection or not.

Because you are an obese person I guess I hit a nerve. I tried to be as sensitive to the situation as possible. If the POS was embarassed it was only because they chose to put themselves into that situation by not booking three seats for the two passengers to begin with. I couldn't fit in my assigned seat, because another passenger was utilizing a significant portion of it, and I was being told there were no other unsold seats on the plane. That should have been Continentals policy to resolve, not my problem to figure out a solution to.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

And BTW ripleysmom, weren't you banned from here before? Nice to see you back. Not.

Anne

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Anne--> i am soo sorry this happened to you and thanks for posting your experience, now that we have started to drive to WDW we will not be flying much, but i will keep this in mind for the future, as i do believe your story.

 

[Tumbleweed]

My husband is 5'11" and 180 pounds, but he has broad shoulders.

He has trouble in an airplane seat in that he can't move around without
bothering the passengers next to him.

I think the biggest problem is that the airlines have crammed as many
seats as possible in each airplane. It's amazing to me that anyone
survives an airplane crash. You can hardly get in much less get out
in an emergency.
The close proximity of passengers puts you in contact with folks with
colds, viruses, etc. We'd all be happier (and maybe healthier) if the
airlines weren't so darned determined to squeeze in an extra passenger.


Just my opinion.

 

[bicker]

the airlines have crammed as many seats as possible in each airplane

However, this isn't a recent phenomenon. There have always been six seats across in 737s, ever since they were introduced in 1967. So seat width hasn't significantly changed over the past almost-40 years.

if the airlines weren't so darned determined to squeeze in an extra passenger

Which translates into "if we passengers weren't so darned determined to pay fares as low as possible.

 

[simpilotswife]

And BTW ripleysmom, weren't you banned from here before? Nice to see you back. Not.

Anne

Ooohhhh....Anne outed me. Not!! It's never been a secret who I am.

As far as striking a nerve with me because I'm obese....think again. I haven't said anything about your right to have a full seat, just your version of events and the way in which you went about trying to achieve that goal. I highly doubt that you were as accommodating and kind as you seem to think you were in your approach with airline personnel.

As I pointed out to you, 10 minutes before the door would close they knew that that connecting flight wasn't going to make it. 10 minutes before the door would close that connecting flight would have had to already be at the gate since they would have needed at least that much time to load the other passengers and their luggage. The fact that they did not feel the need to mention that to you should tell you something.

If your manner with them was anything close to your manner with other posters here on the DIS then I would have to give the airline the benefit of the doubt.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...I have to ask a question here. This is something that I have wondered about for quite awhile now. So.....there are two rows of seats...ABC and DEF. And there are 4 armrests in each row. Which armrest belongs to which person? Obviously, seat A has one on the left, B has one on either side of them, and C has one on the right. So...who gets two? B and E?
It would be nice if there were an across the board way of handling this. It is way to simple, obviously, to say that if you 'overlap' into the next seat it's okay. I don't have an answer. I don't believe that anyone wants to make someone else uncomfortable. And I certainly don't believe anyone here would do, or say, anything to embarrass anyone...thin or not-so-thin. But there comes a time where something has to give. The airlines have to have some kind of policy in place, and make it unconditional and consistent, to deal with these kinds of situations. If you are a person of size, and you don't fit into the seat you have rightfully paid for, then you need to pay extra for an adjoining seat. I'm sorry if there are some that don't feel that is right. I am never comfortable traveling next to a stranger but it would be even worse if I didn't have my 'paid for' seat entirely to myself. Why would I be expected to share my seat with someone who is larger than the seat they paid for? Understand here....I have a ds who is 6' tall, and about 325 pds. I don't think he would squish over too much into my seat, but it would be close. Not so comfy for the person next to you. My dh is 6'4" tall....does he like the fact that he has to sit with his chin practically on his knees when he flies? Nope, but he realizes that he is tall and the person in front of him does have the right to recline their seat. Of course, when it doesn't go back because his knees are there, they shouldn't try to jam it back!!!

It all boils down to common courtesy....yes, there are some people who aren't going to fit in that tiny little seat. But, the person next to them shouldn't have to be squished into 1/2 of the seat they paid for. That heavier than normal person should have some alternative course of action. Perhaps it's going to come to the point where when you make your reservation it is stated that if you do not fit into the seat you have chosen, then you will either be changed to a 'double' seat, and pay the difference or have to go on a different flight if there are no 'double' seats available. You would think that there could be 2-3 sets of these 'double' seats available on most flights. Then, if no one used them, the standby folks could have a shot.

I don't know...no perfect answers here. I just know that no one has the right to make another feel badly or to embarrass someone else. Name calling, sarcasm, rollling of eyes...all that can only serve to make someone feel miserable. I'm hoping that this thread doesn't take a turn for the worse. A little debate is not a bad thing, but if it degenerates into name calling, sarcasm, and the like then it will get shut down. So, play nicely kids.

 

[bicker]

The problem is that any of your suggestions represent added cost or lost revenue opportunities, and in an industry that is already swimming in red ink, the only way such a thing could come about is having it imposed by FAA regulation, and thereby reflected across-the-board in everyone's airfares increasing by the amount represented by the cost associated.

 

[ducklite]

Ooohhhh....Anne outed me. Not!! It's never been a secret who I am.

As far as striking a nerve with me because I'm obese....think again. I haven't said anything about your right to have a full seat, just your version of events and the way in which you went about trying to achieve that goal. I highly doubt that you were as accommodating and kind as you seem to think you were in your approach with airline personnel.

As I pointed out to you, 10 minutes before the door would close they knew that that connecting flight wasn't going to make it. 10 minutes before the door would close that connecting flight would have had to already be at the gate since they would have needed at least that much time to load the other passengers and their luggage. The fact that they did not feel the need to mention that to you should tell you something.

If your manner with them was anything close to your manner with other posters here on the DIS then I would have to give the airline the benefit of the doubt.

You can think what you want. I know how it went down, and frankly if you don't believe me, whatever. You are simply not worth getting aggravated over.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

SW makes the COS purchase a second seat. The COS pre-boards and gets two seats. If there is another empty seat on the plane they get a full refund. Most people posting say they always wind up getting a refund. The airline doesn't have to bother with double seats.

Perhaps it's going to come to the point where when you make your reservation it is stated that if you do not fit into the seat you have chosen, then you will either be changed to a 'double' seat, and pay the difference or have to go on a different flight if there are no 'double' seats available. You would think that there could be 2-3 sets of these 'double' seats available on most flights. Then, if no one used them, the standby folks could have a shot.

I don't know...no perfect answers here. I just know that no one has the right to make another feel badly or to embarrass someone else. Name calling, sarcasm, rollling of eyes...all that can only serve to make someone feel miserable. I'm hoping that this thread doesn't take a turn for the worse. A little debate is not a bad thing, but if it degenerates into name calling, sarcasm, and the like then it will get shut down. So, play nicely kids.

 

[simpilotswife]

You can think what you want. I know how it went down, and frankly if you don't believe me, whatever. You are simply not worth getting aggravated over.

Anne

Then why get that way to the point of trying to blame the fact that I am a "person of size" as a reason not to believe you? Or even being insulting about who I was or am?

Seems to me that it's not okay to think what I want at all.

 

[robinb]

Okay...I have to ask a question here. This is something that I have wondered about for quite awhile now. So.....there are two rows of seats...ABC and DEF. And there are 4 armrests in each row. Which armrest belongs to which person? Obviously, seat A has one on the left, B has one on either side of them, and C has one on the right. So...who gets two? B and E?

In my experience, when I travel alone the man next to me believes he is entitled both armrests. It's one of my little pet peeves. Being the sweet, quite little mouse that I am I usually change that assumption before the plane takes off! The middle armrests are shared.

 

[goofy4tink]

SW makes the COS purchase a second seat. The COS pre-boards and gets two seats. If there is another empty seat on the plane they get a full refund. Most people posting say they always wind up getting a refund. The airline doesn't have to bother with double seats.

I know. Just call me Pollyanna. I just wish the airlines were consistent. If they were, in fact, consistent, then people wouldn't have any issues. Or maybe it's just that, as usual, we only hear the negative.
But, no one can tell me who 'owns' those two middle armrests??? Is that a perk of having to sit in the middle? you get to use two rests, rather than one?? That would be nice since I'm the one in the middle all the time.

Now, as for Anne, and simpilotswife....since only Anne was there, at the time of the incident, I guess we'll have to give her the benefit of the doubt here. Could there possibly be another side to the story? I guess so, there always is. But in this particular case....lets just move on and not belabor whether or not someone is 'telling the whole truth' or if someone is 'a person of size' or whatever. I hate locking threads, I really do. But if the animosity keeps up, that's what is going to happen. Let's keep it friendly

 

[Lewisc]

I know. Just call me Pollyanna. I just wish the airlines were consistent. If they were, in fact, consistent, then people wouldn't have any issues. Or maybe it's just that, as usual, we only hear the negative.
But, no one can tell me who 'owns' those two middle armrests??? Is that a perk of having to sit in the middle? you get to use two rests, rather than one?? That would be nice since I'm the one in the middle all the time.

Easy, you each get half of the armrest, I hope you have thin arms.


I always figured the passenger in the middle seat wound up with no arm rest.

 

[goofy4tink]

Easy, you each get half of the armrest, I hope you have thin arms.


I always figured the passenger in the middle seat wound up with no arm rest.

Ahhh, so you've flown behing me then!!! Seems to me that my dh and dd each get two and I get nada!!! But, hey....if they are flying with me, then I'm happy since I'm most likely going to WDW, and it's only 3 hrs anyway. It's those nasty flights to SeaTac that get to me!!!!

 

[robinb]

I just wish the airlines were consistent. If they were, in fact, consistent, then people wouldn't have any issues. Or maybe it's just that, as usual, we only hear the negative.

I think the vast majority of Americans do not travel frequently on airplanes. The whole COS issue may be a surprise to them or they may not think they are big enough to be considered a COS. There would still be issues. *sigh*

 

[robinb]

I always figured the passenger in the middle seat wound up with no arm rest.

See what I mean?!!?

I bet Lewis sits in an aisle seat .

 

[goofy4tink]

I think the vast majority of Americans do not travel frequently on airplanes. The whole COS issue may be a surprise to them or they may not think they are big enough to be considered a COS. There would still be issues. *sigh*

You may have a point there...sad to say. Ah well.

 

[ducklite]

Then why get that way to the point of trying to blame the fact that I am a "person of size" as a reason not to believe you? Or even being insulting about who I was or am?

Seems to me that it's not okay to think what I want at all.

You have an agenda. Enough said.

You came on to this thread and attacked me, calling me a liar and insinuating that I must have somehow been nasty and offensive. Indeed it's the pot calling the kettle black.

I simply pointed out that you as a person of size would possibly have a different, although totally incorrect, perspective.

Anne