When does somebody need two airline seats?

[JerseyJanice]

Our family still laughs at my poor husband over our last flight.

He was placed on the aisle of a three-seat configuration. A very large woman and her small husband were assigned the middle and window seats.

There was no way for her to squeeze herself all the way to the window seat, so my DH took that one. The poor guy was squashed up against the window the whole flight. He's not small himself and was literally jammed in there. Fortunately, it was a Newark to Orlando flight, so he didn't suffer for too long.

Based on that flight (6/02), I'd say Delta doesn't enforce a two-seat policy at all.

 

[arminnie]

I don't care what size you are big or little, no one has the right to touch me against my will. On my flight to Orlando I was in the window seat. I am not small - 5'6" and probably a size 14 (after my last vacation). This really HUGE woman sat in the middle seat. She was literally twice as big as me. BUT you know what she did NOT touch me during the flight so I have absolutely no problem with her size. I only mention it because just because someone is big doesn't mean that you have to let them touch you (and ick sweat on you).

The seat rests were down. I'll admit that I tended to lean a little bit towards the window, but I will do that for anyone who is stuck in a center seat.

So I guess my criterion would be "can you sit in your own seat without having to touch the other person". Don't know how you find that out ahead of time though.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Jet88
. Anyway, I'll bet that would never happen now. This was before 9-11. It was actually a month prior.

Assigned seating is only an issue for boarding. You can actually sit in any unoccupied seat prior to take off and during the flight. No one keeps track. I think that if the young lady wanted to sit in her assigned seat, that should have been honored. Too often the Flight Attendents do what's easiest so the plane stays on schedule and of course, they are the cabin authority so passengers do well to comply and then complain later.

 

[Microcell]

What gets me is that if you saw me walking down the street you probably not say oh she needs two seats, but I am hiippy and I think those seats are awful close! Who wouldn't need two if that is the guide?

 

[missypie]

On my friend's flight, it really would have put the gate personnel in a bad position, which must be why they wimped out and let him on ... if they would have told the guy he had to buy an extra seat, and then he would have said "sure", there wouldn't have been an extra seat to sell him on that flight because it was sold out.

After reading this thread, I'm vowing to have the courage to say "no" if anyone other than my immediate family asks if it is okay to raise the arm rests. Of course, then the person will call the flight attendant and there will be a scene...(Last time I flew the lady next to me had a huge, "very delicate" box of something that she wanted to store under the seat in such a way that it left no room for my purse or my feet...I said no and she called the flight attendant and they "talked about me" but I didn't care.)

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
So you KNOW just because of their size that they couldn't perfom the exit row duties? Nice.

Well I don't know about the person that poster was talking about but I have an experience of my own. A large man sat down in the emergency row of our last flight and was asked to move. He was so large that he could barely move, much less perform any emergency tasks. I certainly wouldn't have wanted him to be in charge of such things. Gosh, he struggled just to breath! So I don't care what anyone thinks, if you are that big that you have a hard time moving or even breathing then stay out of the emergency rows!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
(Sarcasm on)

Wouldn't it be nice if all us Pooh-sized (and larger) people would just stop traveling and stay at home 24/7? Then no one would have to deal with being "uncomfortable" around us on an airplane, or at Disney, or on a train...

(Sarcasm off)

I think most are just saying that sometimes there are those that don't think how others would feel about being squished next to a stranger. No one has to stay home but they should use common courtesy. I would NEVER lift an arm rest just to squeeze my butt in the seat. That is the rudest thing I've ever heard of to do to the innocent person next to you. So I will say that if anyone can't show some courtesy for others then by all means stay home.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I think most are just saying that sometimes there are those that don't think how others would feel about being squished next to a stranger. No one has to stay home but they should use common courtesy. I would NEVER lift an arm rest just to squeeze my butt in the seat. That is the rudest thing I've ever heard of to do to the innocent person next to you. So I will say that if anyone can't show some courtesy for others then by all means stay home.

And there are some who fly who are concerned about the safety and comfort of those around them. I see a broad brush be used to paint all Pooh-sized people as inconsiderate, rude jerks and that's not the case. Courtesy is not a one-way street. Something to keep in mind the next time you board a plane.

 

[Ragmop]

I really, really have this thing about a person standing too close and invading my personal space. To have some stranger's arm or butt pressed against me for an entire flight would truly be unbearable....and it has happened once or twice. That doesn't make me mean or cruel.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Ragmop
I really, really have this thing about a person standing too close and invading my personal space. To have some stranger's arm or butt pressed against me for an entire flight would truly be unbearable....and it has happened once or twice. That doesn't make me mean or cruel.

There are lots of ways to handle this. (1) Buy 2 seats for yourself. (2) Fly first class. (3) Ask to be reseated or take another flight.

When we chose to utilize public transportation, we all have to be prepared to make some accommodations. If someone is unable to do that, i.e., it is "unbearable", then maybe they need to avoid public transportation.

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954

When we chose to utilize public transportation, we all have to be prepared to make some accommodations. If someone is unable to do that, i.e., it is "unbearable", then maybe they need to avoid public transportation. [/B]

You are completely right, we do need to make accommodations, which is exactly why a "pooh-sized" person is expected to buy another seat! It is not fair, nor is it acceptable, to encroach upon someone else's personal space (in the seat THEY paid for, mind you), even if it is on public transportation!

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
There are lots of ways to handle this. (1) Buy 2 seats for yourself. (2) Fly first class. (3) Ask to be reseated or take another flight.

When we chose to utilize public transportation, we all have to be prepared to make some accommodations. If someone is unable to do that, i.e., it is "unbearable", then maybe they need to avoid public transportation.

Why would I buy and extra seat for myself if I don't need the extra space?

You are correct, we do need to be accommodating, that is why a "pooh-sized" person should pay for an extra seat! It isn't fair for someone to encroach on my personal space in the seat I paid for! If a person needs more space, they need to be accommodating to the people around them for the comfort and safety of everyone!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
There are lots of ways to handle this. (1) Buy 2 seats for yourself. (2) Fly first class. (3) Ask to be reseated or take another flight.

When we chose to utilize public transportation, we all have to be prepared to make some accommodations. If someone is unable to do that, i.e., it is "unbearable", then maybe they need to avoid public transportation.

Not quite. Since when do I or anyone else have to accomodate someones rear end pushing me out of MY PAID for seat? Someone who has only paid for one seat but needs two is the one that better do the accomodating. Not I. You are more then welcome to sit in first class or buy two seats if you can't sit in one without infringing on the seat that I bought. Now when a Pooh sized person decides to use public transportation they are the ones that better make sure they can sit in their seat without spreading out into anyone elses. If they cannot then THEY need to buy another seat, fly first class, or not use public transportation.