No More Third-Party Seat Belt Extenders!!!

[bdklein]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indus...e-your-seat-belt-extenders-at-home/57040134/1

 

[EMAW_KSU]

Seems like a minor thing for the FAA to be worrying about.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Seems like a minor thing for the FAA to be worrying about.

Tell me about it.

How can a seat belt extender be maintained?

I'm Pooh-sized, so I need an extender. I rely on the airlines to provide me with one (although I should probably get one for the car...yes, I wear a seat belt in the front seat, but I can't in the back).

I wonder how many extenders does a plane keep at one time. I also wonder what would happen if they run out of extenders? Someone would have to be bumped off. But would it go by who asked for the extenders first? Or by the airlines' ranking system (frequent-flyer miles, etc). And if someone is forced off the plane due to not enough extenders, would he be entitled to the same perks as someone who got bumped for overselling the flight? It's almost the same thing.

An extender would easily pass security. Can't you buckle in with your extender while the flight attendent isn't looking? An extender is an extender, but if it means not getting to my destination.....

 

[lylone]

I got an idea.... why don't they make the seat belts longer and the seats larger?
I read somewhere that the seats/belts dimensions that are being used are the size of a standard MALE in the 1960s. Yeah, I am sure everyone else fits in that!

 

[seashoreCM]

There is no guarantee that your own seat belt extender will interlock properly with a particular airplane's seat belts.

The airline can probably get an extra extender from a different plane or from some stored away in the airport gate area, prior to departure.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance


Are they serious?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The other problem is that people who use extenders are not allowed to sit in the Exit row.

I have personnally seen a guy get around this by just using his own extender. FA never knew he had one and he was in the Exit Row with no questions. Looking back I probably should have said something but....

 

[bored]

I got an idea.... why don't they make the seat belts longer and the seats larger?
I read somewhere that the seats/belts dimensions that are being used are the size of a standard MALE in the 1960s. Yeah, I am sure everyone else fits in that!

Bigger seats = less seats per plane = more $ per ticket. No offense, but I don't wanna pay more for a ticket because people are fatter than they used to be.

 

[bumbershoot]

The other problem is that people who use extenders are not allowed to sit in the Exit row.

I have personnally seen a guy get around this by just using his own extender. FA never knew he had one and he was in the Exit Row with no questions. Looking back I probably should have said something but....

Well I'm glad you didn't. The idea that someone might get tangled up in one is pretty silly, IMO. DH is the same person, just as kind and STRONG, as he was 29 pounds ago (enough so he doesn't have to use an extender at all), and he could have helped someone just as well then as he could now. And he certainly could have made sure the extender was up on the seat for people (b/c that's where the belt naturally goes when you unclick it). I think the rule is ridiculous.


"it's concerned they may not be inspected and maintained as well as those the airlines use."

Right, because they inspect and maintain their belts and extenders. That's why a seatbelt in 21A is longer than the seatbelt in 21B. Because they are so busy inspecting and maintaining them perfectly.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well I'm glad you didn't. The idea that someone might get tangled up in one is pretty silly, IMO. DH is the same person, just as kind and STRONG, as he was 29 pounds ago (enough so he doesn't have to use an extender at all), and he could have helped someone just as well then as he could now. And he certainly could have made sure the extender was up on the seat for people (b/c that's where the belt naturally goes when you unclick it). I think the rule is ridiculous.


"it's concerned they may not be inspected and maintained as well as those the airlines use."

Right, because they inspect and maintain their belts and extenders. That's why a seatbelt in 21A is longer than the seatbelt in 21B. Because they are so busy inspecting and maintaining them perfectly.

I will say something next time. Sorry if that upsets you, but...having had to use an Emergency exit, those rules exist for a reason.

 

[Hannathy]

Bigger seats = less seats per plane = more $ per ticket. No offense, but I don't wanna pay more for a ticket because people are fatter than they used to be.

I agree neither do I.

 

[lylone]

Bigger seats = less seats per plane = more $ per ticket. No offense, but I don't wanna pay more for a ticket because people are fatter than they used to be.

You must be rather slim. Some airline seats are only 16 inches across.... I don't know many people who are comfortable sitting in a seat that size.

 

[mhconley]

Now that sounds enforceable... :sarcasm:

Martin

 

[LilyWDW]

You must be rather slim. Some airline seats are only 16 inches across.... I don't know many people who are comfortable sitting in a seat that size.

Comfortable? No. But I fit and the seatbelt works just fine. Oh, and I am over weight, though trying to lose some of it for my health. I also would not be happy if they start taking out seats to accommodate those who are heavier and then end up increasing ticket prices... and I was close to being one of those people who needed a bigger seat!

 

[goofy4tink]

I would imagine that there are far more pressing issues to be worried about than a passenger bringing their own extender.
Are the seats large enough for most people? Maybe. I could stand to lose 20 pounds, but it's not my size that contributes to my discomfort. It's the legroom!!! So, the airlines could possibly take out a seat in a set number of rows..and put in slightly larger seats, that you would pay addtl for. We already pay extra for addtl leg room......which I pay for flights that are longer than 3 hrs.

 

[gmeh1]

You must be rather slim. Some airline seats are only 16 inches across.... I don't know many people who are comfortable sitting in a seat that size.

Some are perhaps 16" but most are 17-18 and in some cases larger. I am perfectly comfortable in a 17" seat and I could probably lose a good 15-20#. For me, it is leg room. And, like many others, I don't want to pay more to accomodate others.
For a chart of seat sizes: seatguru.com

 

[gmeh1]

Seems like a minor thing for the FAA to be worrying about.

Take care of the minor things and they don't become major things.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Now that sounds enforceable... :sarcasm:

Martin

This was my thought, too. How are they going to enforce this policy? Hold up the plane while they check each seat for a seat belt extender, then figure out whether it is legit? That'll go over well.

I'm always surprised when this topic comes up, so many are nasty about fat people - hardly anyone talks about the encroachment of other types of fliers. Many people are big but not fat - tall, broad shoulders, etc. - and they take up as much room. No one seems to think they should have to buy 2 seats, or drive to their destination.

We have had the worst seat mates who were slim people, but selfish. Hogging the arm rest, splaying out while napping, draping their electronics all over us, not to mention those with small children/babies who have lots of stuff to occupy them. I don't despise any of these people, it's not fun to have one in my row but flights are so packed these days it's stressful no matter who we sit with. Do the best we can to deal with it, and get through the flight.

 

[gmeh1]

This was my thought, too. How are they going to enforce this policy? Hold up the plane while they check each seat for a seat belt extender, then figure out whether it is legit? That'll go over well.

I'm always surprised when this topic comes up, so many are nasty about fat people - hardly anyone talks about the encroachment of other types of fliers. Many people are big but not fat - tall, broad shoulders, etc. - and they take up as much room. No one seems to think they should have to buy 2 seats, or drive to their destination.

We have had the worst seat mates who were slim people, but selfish. Hogging the arm rest, splaying out while napping, draping their electronics all over us, not to mention those with small children/babies who have lots of stuff to occupy them. I don't despise any of these people, it's not fun to have one in my row but flights are so packed these days it's stressful no matter who we sit with. Do the best we can to deal with it, and get through the flight.

No one on this thread has been nasty about anything. I am not all that tall (5'7"), but do have very long legs and I do manage to keep them in my seating area, I do not sprawl and I do not hog the arm rest, I do, however, insist it stay down when I am not flying with someone I know. I have flown "cheek to cheek" with a stranger (even with the arm rest down) and had most of my seat taken by this stranger. It was not fun and I was NOT happy. I said nothing, was not rude and managed to get throught the flight. What you said is valid, however, there are two sides to every coin.

 

[gmeh1]

This was my thought, too. How are they going to enforce this policy? Hold up the plane while they check each seat for a seat belt extender, then figure out whether it is legit? That'll go over well.

I'm always surprised when this topic comes up, so many are nasty about fat people - hardly anyone talks about the encroachment of other types of fliers. Many people are big but not fat - tall, broad shoulders, etc. - and they take up as much room. No one seems to think they should have to buy 2 seats, or drive to their destination.

We have had the worst seat mates who were slim people, but selfish. Hogging the arm rest, splaying out while napping, draping their electronics all over us, not to mention those with small children/babies who have lots of stuff to occupy them. I don't despise any of these people, it's not fun to have one in my row but flights are so packed these days it's stressful no matter who we sit with. Do the best we can to deal with it, and get through the flight.

If they are smart, they will color code or imprint the name of the airline on their extenders. Seems pretty simple.