First experience with an arm rest hog

[lovehoney]

At least he wasn't next to me. I was in a middle seat on a 2 hour flight back from Chicago and had contracted food poisoning. I had to get up and go to the bathroom about every 10 minutes. You would have thought the aisle person would give me their seat but nope. He just kept having to get up.

Still can't eat Chicago style deep dish. Had to have iv fluids when I got home.

 

[ibob52]

It is *possible* to share a armrest with another passenger.

Each will have their *elbow* on the armrest ... and angle their arm towards themselves.

Caution: one *should* be prepared for a occasional touch by the other person's arm.

Oh and I guess it would then be a *elbow-rest* ... not a *armrest*.

 

[ckcnj]

I don't mind not having an arm rest. I just wish there was a divider between the seats. When I was on a plane last week in the aisle seat, the woman in the middle seat took the arm rest on my right side. I didn't care about that but part of her body came under the arm rest and remained in contact with my side throughout the flight. I don't know why there aren't dividers between the seats to prevent that physical contact. They have that in movie theaters.

 

[alaska8]

This is a common problem, passengers of size preboard in order to lift the armrest and get comfortable often encroaching on the middle seat. You should mention this to the crew during boarding (you could walk to the bathroom and find a crew member) The only way we can find a solution is to be aware of the situation prior to the flight closing and pushing back from the gate. There are various solutions (even on a full flight) but do require the assistance of a gate agent. As crew we often see this situation but don't like to assume that its not a family member that they are encroaching on (and don't wish to embarrass the passenger by asking)

 

[Boopuff]

I never thought about this but let's say you're in your middle seat and the isle is open.. then a "person of size" tries to get into the seat. They're unable to fit. What an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved! Do you have to allow them to lift the armrest?

 

[goofy4tink]

I never thought about this but let's say you're in your middle seat and the isle is open.. then a "person of size" tries to get into the seat. They're unable to fit. What an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved! Do you have to allow them to lift the armrest?

If I understand the rules properly, you have to be able to put the arm rest down, without taking space away from the next passenger. This isn't' an issue if it's family flying together, but if I'm flying solo, and the person next to me doesn't fit into their seat with the arm rest up, then there's an issue! That isn't supposed to happen.

I have no issue sharing the armrest...especially with the person in the middle seat! But, if my entertainment controls are on that 'shared' armrest, and the person in the middle seat keeps their arm on that rest, then I'm not getting what I paid for! I should be able to get to my controls..not continually but every 30 mins or so would be nice.

 

[gwynne]

This is a common problem, passengers of size preboard in order to lift the armrest and get comfortable often encroaching on the middle seat. You should mention this to the crew during boarding (you could walk to the bathroom and find a crew member) The only way we can find a solution is to be aware of the situation prior to the flight closing and pushing back from the gate. There are various solutions (even on a full flight) but do require the assistance of a gate agent. As crew we often see this situation but don't like to assume that its not a family member that they are encroaching on (and don't wish to embarrass the passenger by asking)

I think a passenger has every right to have the armrest down and not have someone encroaching on their space. On the other hand, I would probably be a bit hesitant to say anything because of concerns the FA's might see me as the problem. Do airlines have a firm policy on having the armrest down? (Unless it's a situation involving family members/friends.) Does this get into a sticky area of disability rights?
Could you give me some examples of solutions to this situation?

 

[Jon84]

I couldn't stand that situation. We've got a flight where you get allocated seats to Germany in Dec, it's an hour and a half, so worth the risk.

On a 9 hour flight to MCO, we don't even take the risk and budget in for Premium Economy where the seats are in pairs!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I never thought about this but let's say you're in your middle seat and the isle is open.. then a "person of size" tries to get into the seat. They're unable to fit. What an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved! Do you have to allow them to lift the armrest?

The armrest is supposed to be down for take-off and landing; although this isn't always enforced. You certainly have the right to insist that the armrest be down, even if the person next to you wants it up.

As already noted, if this is an issue (like a person of size next to you encroaching into your seat), bring it to the attention of a flight attendant before take-off so something can be done.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This!!! There is a way to "sit small" and some people just don't seem to know how to do it or to be courteous enough to do it when they are in a crowded space, especially on a plane.

I once had a window seat and the person in the middle, a big athletic looking guy, sat with his legs open and his arms on both arm rests - which I was ok with - but he had his elbows and thighs in my space. He was sitting like he was on a couch watching tv. Every time I edged over a bit more toward the window to give myself a tiny buffer, he took that as more space for him and shifted into the newly open space. I was practically up against the window trying to get some personal space and it was making me feel very stressed and uncomfortable. It was the first time I'd ever felt even a tiny bit claustrophobic. After about 20 minutes of this I finally just said excuse me, I know there's not much space here but can you please try not to spread out so much. He retracted his arm and leg a bit. He seemed pretty po'd that I'd actually said anything - I got the impression from his sitting posture and his attitude that he was used to just getting his way when it came to shared space due to his superior size. Ever since that flight I always make sure I get an aisle seat and I do consciously sit small when there are 3 in the aisle, making sure just to take up "my" space.

I HATE "male spreaders." Sorry, dudes, but it's ALWAYS the guys who do this.

Our home airport is MSP and we have a locally owned airline here called Sun Country. It's a low cost carrier that only flies to a few destinations, but luckily, they fly to places that we travel to often, all direct flights. Usually they're the least expensive option. Anyway, on Sun Country you can pay an extra $10 to pick your seat in front of the wing, or pay nothing and choose a seat behind the wing, or let the airline choose your seat for you. Sun Country flights aren't always full, and we've had luck with booking the $10 preferred aisle and window seats, and then having no one choose or being assigned the middle seat, so we get a whole row to ourselves. But this doesn't always work, and if someone comes to claim the middle seat, then we give up our aisle seat to them and move to the middle so we're sitting next to our kids. Usually, the people who suddenly find themselves in the aisle are pretty happy about it and treat us pretty well. Except one time, when I was flying on a business trip, and I moved to the middle so I could sit next to my colleague. The large, athletic man who suddenly found himself the recipient of my aisle seat when I moved proceeded to spread across into my seat. He hogged the armrest and had his foot on my side of the seat. When I get seated next to spreaders and I'm with my kids, it's no big deal...I just raise the armrest between us and encroach on my kids (who are little and don't take up a full seat). But this time, I was stuck between the rude male spreader and my male colleague, so I really had nowhere to go. And the worst part? It was a trip from SFO to MSP. I weep.

 

[alaska8]

The armrest is supposed to be down for take-off and landing; although this isn't always enforced. You certainly have the right to insist that the armrest be down, even if the person next to you wants it up.

As already noted, if this is an issue (like a person of size next to you encroaching into your seat), bring it to the attention of a flight attendant before take-off so something can be done.

Actually the middle armrests do not have to be up or down (per theFAA) the only one that has to be down per the law is the aisle armrest. Now depending on the airline they may have a company policy of having a armrest down.

 

[seashoreCM]

deleted ...................................

 

[alaska8]

I think a passenger has every right to have the armrest down and not have someone encroaching on their space. On the other hand, I would probably be a bit hesitant to say anything because of concerns the FA's might see me as the problem. Do airlines have a firm policy on having the armrest down? (Unless it's a situation involving family members/friends.) Does this get into a sticky area of disability rights?
Could you give me some examples of solutions to this situation?

Aisle armrests have to be down per the FAA regulations, each airline has to follow these regulations. Each airline can also put into place "company policy rules" which could say middle armrests have to be down for takeoff etc. and these rules would differ according to which airline you are on. Each airline would also have different practices on how they deal with seating issues. Some have a second seat policy where the passenger has to purchase a second seat, if the flight is full and a second seat is not available then they would have to be transferred to a later flight. Often flights go out full however the open seats are filled with standby (those that missed their flight, those that want to take an earlier flight etc) and staff so additional seats can be available. This is why we ask you to inform the crew then they can have the gate agent work on the solution (for example bump a standby or staff passenger in order to provide two seats for the passenger of size. Some may offer compensation for your discomfort etc. Some may offer to bump you to first or premium if available or offer accommodation on a later flight.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Actually the middle armrests do not have to be up or down (per theFAA) the only one that has to be down per the law is the aisle armrest. Now depending on the airline they may have a company policy of having a armrest down.

This is the applicable rule:

http://fsims.faa.gov/WDocs/8900.1/V03 Tech Admin/Chapter 33/03_033_003.htm

Air Carriers should emphasize to F/As that prior to takeoff and landing they verify that the armrests are in the normal forward/down position in order to ensure that they do not obstruct the passageway between the row of seats leading from the aisle to the emergency exit.

The rule really doesn't matter. I would refuse to fly next to a stranger who would not put down the armrest.

 

[alaska8]

This is the applicable rule:

http://fsims.faa.gov/WDocs/8900.1/V03 Tech Admin/Chapter 33/03_033_003.htm

Air Carriers should emphasize to F/As that prior to takeoff and landing they verify that the armrests are in the normal forward/down position in order to ensure that they do not obstruct the passageway between the row of seats leading from the aisle to the emergency exit.

The rule really doesn't matter. I would refuse to fly next to a stranger who would not put down the armrest.

This rule is in reference to aisle armrests only. I know this because have had to follow this rule for the 18 plus years I have been a flight attendant.

 

[Average Joes]

It seems to me there was unwanted touching by the man on the OP, a women. I think it could have gotten problematic for him had he refused not to touch the OP in that manner and a complaint been made.

Flying out of Detroit I was in the middle seat between two large ladies. Their bottoms both went into my space so I was pressed up against them the entire flight. There wasn't room for me unless I sat down first. It wasn't a comfortable flight but they were nice so I didn't mind much. I laugh about it now which maybe isn't nice... I can put up with that but I don't think I could handle an elbow in my side for longer than a brief moment.

 

[jeanico2000]

some people just don't seem to know how to do it or to be courteous enough to do it when they are in a crowded space, especially on a plane.

Bingo! Bottom line, a lot of people (sadly) are all about "Me, myself and I". We were on an 8:00 AM flight to Orlando on Rouge Airlines, so very little legroom or personal space on board, and the first thing the passengers in front of us did after takeoff was recline their seats (they were in the bulkhead row, so had plenty of leg room). I know they had the right to recline, but really? It was morning and they didn't sleep during the flight, so why cramp the people behind? My daughter and I (5'2" and 5'3" respectively) literally spent the entire flight with our knees stuck to their seat backs, and my husband, who is tall, sat with his legs open the whole time because he had nowhere else to put them!

 

[wilkeliza]

Bingo! Bottom line, a lot of people (sadly) are all about "Me, myself and I". We were on an 8:00 AM flight to Orlando on Rouge Airlines, so very little legroom or personal space on board, and the first thing the passengers in front of us did after takeoff was recline their seats (they were in the bulkhead row, so had plenty of leg room). I know they had the right to recline, but really? It was morning and they didn't sleep during the flight, so why cramp the people behind? My daughter and I (5'2" and 5'3" respectively) literally spent the entire flight with our knees stuck to their seat backs, and my husband, who is tall, sat with his legs open the whole time because he had nowhere else to put them!

I recline to relieve back pain. Has nothing to do with leg room for me and all to do with the position of my back. Sitting in the upright airplane seats for an extended period can cause me to have days long lower back pain. I recline but I always try to be gentle about it.

 

[sharona]

I recline to relieve back pain. Has nothing to do with leg room for me and all to do with the position of my back. Sitting in the upright airplane seats for an extended period can cause me to have days long lower back pain. I recline but I always try to be gentle about it.

That's funny and back pain is so individual because for me, with my cranky back, I have to sit straight up in order to be comfortable. The first thing I do when I get in someone else's car is ask if they mind if I adjust my seat and I put it straight up! Whenever I get in my sister-in-law's car and my nephew has been in the front passenger seat, I can't believe how uncomfortable it is for me to sit leaning so far back like he does - and we are the exact same height these days!

 

[wilkeliza]

That's funny and back pain is so individual because for me, with my cranky back, I have to sit straight up in order to be comfortable. The first thing I do when I get in someone else's car is ask if they mind if I adjust my seat and I put it straight up! Whenever I get in my sister-in-law's car and my nephew has been in the front passenger seat, I can't believe how uncomfortable it is for me to sit leaning so far back like he does - and we are the exact same height these days!

It is interesting how back pain works. Some days laying flat is best and others I need the slight angle at the hips to get relief. It depends on which issue is messing with me that day.