Pooh sized flyers

[helenm29]

I am a Pooh sized person and when I fly, depending on the airlines..I have trouble getting the seatbelt fastened! do any of you ever have this problem? it's kind of embarassing when you explain that the last plane you were on you didn't have that problem! are there any particular seats that have bigger belts then others and can you ask for them ahead of time?

 

[ducklite]

The seats all have the same sized belt. My advice is to discretely ask the gate agent to ask the flight attendent to bring you one when you board.

Anne

 

[Tiggerish]

This is a pet peeve of mine also. I never know til I am trying to latch the belt. Some times I have no trouble and some times it is tight and once and awhile it is impossible. The airlines have a seat belt extension which is just a extra piece that buckles in with the existing belt. All you have to do is ask the flight attendant and he or she will bring you one.

 

[fran99999]

I also am Pooh sized. I have never had to ask for the extra belt, but this time I may just do this. I have had the belt tight on the flight down and loose on the flight back. I always sit next to my DS7 who hates to have the arm down so at least I am comfortable. I fly Jetblue, and Delta/Song. Last flight as I was trying to get the belt locked I noticed another passenger receiving one of the belt extenders. I attempted to get the flight attendents attention but as I was boarded almost last it didnt happen. Next time I will ask as I board. Its not like when U look at me U cant tell I'm Pooh size.

I am 5'9" and weight 270. Now I will weigh less for my trip this May Weight Watchers and Willpower willing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just ask for a seatbelt extender when I first enter the plane. On my last flight, I undid it to hand back to the flight attendant on my way out, then forgot. I used it for my return flight, then returned it explaining what had happened. Only later did I figure out I was on the same plane both ways, so their stock of extenders was now as is should be.

 

[dorisdvu]

I'm pooh size as well. I don't have enough room to let down the tray. Does anyone else have this problem? Also, has anyone been asked to buy an extra seat?

 

[mickeyfan2]

The seats all have the same sized belt. My advice is to discretely ask the gate agent to ask the flight attendent to bring you one when you board.

Anne

I always thought this too until we flew on SWA last December. I had the window seat for most of the trip and then DH took it and I got the center. I was surprised that the belt was so much longer (I am talking 4 inches) than the one at the window.

 

[goofyforlife]

I think the belts are "supposed" to be the same length......

However, in practice, there are all sorts of tolerances in them.....

One return trip my husband had window, I had middle...... But the middle belt was like super short and wouldn't buckle for me.... We switched seats and I had no problem..... My husband is thin but he agreed with me that the belt was shorter than usual.....

 

[Dan Murphy]

I recall this topic discussed on our local talk radio a bit back, just Googled it, may be of help.


http://www.supersizeworld.com/air-extend.htm

 

[Blueberry]

We fly Delta and I got tired of having to squeeze in that seat belt so as I board the plane I ask the attendant right away for a seat belt extender. They have been really nice about it, normally hand it to me right then and there as I walk by, so I sit down and hook myself in comfortably. When they give me an extender up front I make sure to hand it back as I walk up the aisle to depart too. It is no problem to ask and you are whole lot more comfortable then suffering with a tight seat belt for hours...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Also, has anyone been asked to buy an extra seat?

I have seen several episodes of "Airline" where large passengers were required to buy extra seats.

I don't think this happens that often, judging by the amount of "Pooh" sized PAX's one sees on planes these days.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Worse comes to worse, you ask and you'll simply have to wait until the flight attendant is done with their safety briefing -- the belt extenders are what they use to demo how to unbuckle your seat belt. (And who do they need to demo this for anyway? The Amish? Who doesn't know instinctively how to unbuckle a seat belt?). I'm pooh sized as well, but I manage to fit. Only on one flight did I have a problem -- and it was a CLE to ORD flight when the lady sitting in the window seat truly should have been made to purchase two tickets. My seat belt latch was under her posterior! I spent the entire flight unbelted, and tilted sideways in my seat so I'd fit! I know, I should have complained and been moved for safety but it was a full flight and I had to be in Chicago that afternoon for a business meeting. I'll never forget that flight, and I've never let corporate pick my seat since!

 

[helenm29]

I always wondered about those seat belt extenders. I am hoping not to need one this trip but just in case, I am SO glad to know where they are! I wonder how they decide if you need two seats or not? I agree that some people should just know when they need another seat but not everyone cares what the person next to them is feeling like do they? it's a shame but it can be embarassing to some also.

 

[seashoreCM]

! I spent the entire flight unbelted, and tilted sideways in my seat so I'd fit! I know, I should have complained and been moved for safety but it was a full flight and I had to be in Chicago that afternoon for a business meeting. !

(copied from another post)
If you had asked for a seat, any seat, for yourself, prior to departure, being prepared to ask for the Complaint Resolution Officer, the airline would have found out that the fastest way to get the plane going would have been to ask for volunteers.

Often no member of the flight crew will want to go far to satisfy you because he might have to "take a late*". Whereas once you ask for the CRO whom the airline must then get for you, the CRO will "take the late" as well as deal with the problem.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

*PM me for explanation.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Thanks! And to the OP -- sorry for the thread hijack! Our flight was part of a continuating flight from somewhere to Cleveland and then on to Chicago. It wasn't on the ground for much more than to let those staying in Cleveland off and the rest of us on -- I don't think they even shut down an engine or added fuel... I was graced with a seat in the last row of the 737 with the lady in question at the window, myself in the middle, and my boss in the aisle seat. There's no way the flight attendants couldn't have known what was happening -- the one gave me a "sucks to be you" sort of look but we were being pushed back almost immediately. There was no way they were going to take the time to deal with anything...

 

[ducklite]

Although if you can't fasten your seatbelt, especailly because someone who should have bought two seats was too ignorant and/or inconsiderate to do so, you should stand in the aisle and refuse to be reseated untl the problem is solved. In that case they can't blame you, you are only letting them know that they are not following FAA rules.

In that case, the oversized passenger is the one who will need to deplane, and purchase a second seat on the next flight able to accomodate her.

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> you should stand in the aisle and refuse to be reseated untl the problem is solved.

No! Immediately go up to or walk back to the flight attendant and quickly start my aforementioned process that might possibly culminate in the summoning of the Complaint Resolution Officer.

>>> sucks to you look

= Afraid of "getting the late".

>>> In that case, the oversized passenger is the one who will need to deplane

Don't look now but an airline is not obligated to compensate a passenger bumped because he took up more seats than he purchased.

>>> I don't even think they shut down an engine

If the plane gets over to the runway with passengers not properly seated, many of the crew will be wishing they kept the plane at the gate, resolved the situation, and "took lates" instead, when they finally face the music.

>>> had to be in Chicago for a business meeting
>>> and my boss in the aisle seat

Your boss should have intervened had you made a fuss.

>>> There's nothing we can do.

That's almost always a lie.