You tell me (required to buy two seats)

[seashoreCM]

Last time I checked, Southwest's rules were that any person who could not fit alone in one seat had to buy his/her own second seat. But if the flight was not full excluding standbys, all those who bought second seats would have the second seats refunded.

Not sure about the other airlines but I would suspect that if the two of you buy three seats and make reasonable effort to sit together and at some point had seat assignments together, then the airline and the other passengers would have to let you fly although not necessarily next to each other.

>>> you tell me
(I got this idea from giving advice about TV screens) Instead of the 2x4's I mentioned earlier, hang a large piece of paper (or several pieces of paper) on a blank wall. Sit against that wall. Take a pencil and draw outlines around yourselves. If the space suggested is more than the width of two seats, then you need to buy more than two seats.

OT: (About the TV screen) To determine the proper size, cut one or more sheets of paper to make a mockup of the width you are thinking of. Hang it on the wall (for a plasma or panel TV or projection screen) or 2 feet in front of the wall with a cardboard backing (for a box TV). Sit on your sofa. Adjust the size until it is what you like and what you can afford. The formula of sitting so far away from a TV so big is way passe'.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

How are the seats set up on your plane, do you know? If they have 3 seats on one side and 2 on the other, then just pick the 2 seater side. They won't make you buy two seats if you aren't bothering anyone else!

 

[bicker]

Well, that's not precisely true. Some airlines will presumptively check that you fit in the seats, even in the absence of a specific complaint. As a matter of fact, that's a much much safer approach. Trying to get a passenger-of-size off an aircraft because they didn't buy a second seat is a lot harder once the aircraft is full of other people.

 

[Hannathy]

Go to a theater and measure the seats, Do you fit comfortably? Those seats have fixed armrests similar to a planes. I am sorry you feel hurt, truly I am but sometimes the truth hurts in life. No one was calling you names or taking digs at you. You asked and you got the info now you have to decide how to act on it. I would rather know what I was walking into than be blind sided. It may help to think that a plane is like a big cargo carrier and you pay for the space you use (like a storage center) not by how many people rent them or a per person rate. You are paying for 19 inches , want more, pay for more-2seats,first class, remember it's not just because you are big it's the space. If you take a cello on you pay for the other seat if you need it. Same with luggage you are allowed 50 lbs or a certain size, need more you pay extra. Airlines are a business in business to move things and make money and set their policies such, they really aren't interested in embarrassing and hurting people.

You have been given the facts now you decide. I hope you have a wonderful vacation.IMO Everyone who goes to Disney benefits from walking ahead of time to build up their stamina perhaps that will be a great incentive and save money.

 

[bavaria]

You are paying for 19 inches , want more, pay for more-2seats,first class, remember it's not just because you are big it's the space.

Actually, it's 17 inches on most aircraft. A Continental 737 is 17 inches; a Continental 767 19 inches.

Chances are that the OP will be in a seat 17 inches

 

[bavaria]

Also, remember that there is a very good chance that there will not be empty seats on your aircraft. Airlines are doing a better job at predicting passenger loads, and are modifying schedules to ensure that planes fly full.

Most of the 125,000 miles I flew in 2006 were on completely full aircraft (and I went to some very out of the way destinations). Don't assume that there will be empty seats. Best to prepare in advance.

 

[bavaria]

This is absolutely the case, and applies not only to the Transportation forum, but really all the forums. While wishing folks well is a fine thing, doing so without disclaimer tends to foster unfounded expectations which invariably lead to disappointment, and/or distress. Anne, like most of the rest of us, are here to help folks asking questions, to the best of our ability. We generally don't encourage people to believe things that could end up being wrong, without raising the possibility, and putting those things in their proper perspective, probability-wise.

And sadly, those of us who do post factual information in a straight forward manner are often called harsh or unfeeling. I rarely use smilies here on the Transportation Board - I try and just post facts or actual experiences to help others who may not have had as much travel experience.

I would rather know what may happen, and know how to deal with it, than imagine that everything will be hunky dory.

 

[bicker]

Chances are that the OP will be in a seat 17 inches

Keep in mind that often this is 17 inches including the arm rest, so if you end up in an exit row or a bulkhead row, you actually has about an inch or two less (since the tray-tables are stored in the arm rests, and therefore take up some of that 17 inches).

 

[bavaria]

Seats are about 19 inches wide. If either of you is good at carpentry you could make a mockup with a couple of 2x4's to simulate armrests and see how well the two of you can fit within 38 inches.

Good point, bicker. I don't want the OP to be mislead by this post. I checked on www.seatguru.com and any type of Continental seat in Economy is under 18 inches wide; most are 17-17.2 inches wide, and as bicker notes the measurement may include the arm rests.

 

[arachal]

You want better references??

The way you decribed FH and I... you made us sound like monsterous blobs. I came for friendly advice and now I'm in tears. Yeah, I'm sensitive about my weight. I asked because I didn't want to be embarassed at the gate and now I'm sorry I asked here.

I've been concidering leaving the DIS for quite a while now, and this may be the thing to get me to leave.

And explain to me how exactly the first repsonse, who was a size 48 waist fit into a seat but yet my FH who is the exact same would not?

Thanks for making me feel stellar tonight!

Hey don't be upset. Don't let this put a black cloud over your trip. There are plenty BBW and BBM out there to support you. I find that some people seem a little insensitive when replying. But, really, she just sounded like she was giving out information there. I would have the same problem, but thankfully my husband and I can "share" room with our two children. (11 and 8) That's the only reason I am not sweating it out too.

Cheer up!!!! You're going to Disney baby!

 

[helenk]

You should not take offense with Anne's post, she was trying to be upfront with you, you asked if you would be required to buy two seats.
I personally would be prepared before I got to the airport and not be embarrassed at check in or possibly not get on the flight.
I am heavy, and I fit snuggly in my seat and fortunately do not spill over into the next person's seat. My husband is not as heavy as I am, but when we fly together we put up the arm rest for a bit more room.
In your own mind you are obviously concerned about needing a third seat, if I were you I would call the airline and see what needs to be done.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I'm sorry all, I probably shouldn't read the forums at 5 in the morning. I am pretty oversensitive about my weight and was kinda hurt over some things that were said over at other forums... and I took it out on the wrong person. Take my apologies please Anne, I'm sorry for snapping on you.

I just went ahead and contacted Disney and bought two more seats, one for each of us. We both fit comfortably in an office chair without spilling over... but honestly I'd rather just be safe than sorry. I carry all of my weight in the front, and would rather not be judged at the gate or check in counter, you know?

Thanks for all the advice, and I promise (ok, not promise but promise to try!) not to DIS with hurt feelings to take out on other people anymore.

 

[zzyzx409]

OP, you may want to read this thread

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1314663. While Andy started it in reference to mobility issues and extra space, it has some good comments/thoughts about booking an extra seat. You may also want to PM the OP of that thread - he's a nice fellow who I am sure can tell you his past experience with extra seats.


I fly almost every week and usually on United or Lufthansa; I can tell you that even though I am on the same type of aircraft most of the time, the seating varies based on when/how the aircraft was purchased/leased by the airline. (two United A319s may have differing interiors is what I am trying to say)

I know that it's sometimes hard to hear things that you don't want to hear, and I am sorry if your feelings were hurt on this thread. I think though that it is best for you to be aware of the facts and to be prepared for what may happen, so that you can best handle it if it should happen....

I've said it many times - the Transportation Board is about facts, and there is little pixie dust around airlines, busses, rental cars, etc But if you do have the facts, you will be armed to deal with a situation....

Best of luck!

I have to agree with everything bavaria said. He/she seems ot know a lot about air travel.

Since my wife and I have booked 3 seats for the two of us, air travel has been much better.

You can get lots of info from some very helpful people on this fourm, but in the end, all you can do is take what you learned as education to be able to ask more indepth (and maybe the right) questions of your travel agent and/or airline. If your travel agent canont help you, well, maybe you need a need a new travel agent, or just go direct. I realize this may not be the best news, but in the end, I believe only your airline can best help with special requests like these. Travel agents are really useful for finding deals, and they should be your advocate with the airlines and other details of your vacation.

Other piece of advice, don't just wait and "hope" all will work out, ask and plan, or it will be planned for you and it may not be what you want.

Also as bavaria said, if you want you can PM me and I will share with you all I know which may be of some help. I canont fix anything, but I can share my experiences.

Later,

Andy

 

[goofy4tink]

Hey...who said we don't have all that 'huggy' stuff here..... Hrrrmmmphhh....there, now we have it!!!

 

[bavaria]

oooohhh yuck ick..... now I have to go find somewhere else to hang out!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

oooohhh yuck ick..... now I have to go find somewhere else to hang out!

Who are you trying to kid? A week away and you'll be inexplicably drawn back to correct the transportation board misconceptions, real and imagined. It's your calling!

 

[annegal]

Question....you were at WDW 2 weeks ago. Did you fly then ? Was there any problems about the extra seat then?

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Question....you were at WDW 2 weeks ago. Did you fly then ? Was there any problems about the extra seat then?

We drove. We never want to do that again!

 

[MushyMushy]

We drove. We never want to do that again!

I'm the opposite! We drove for one trip and flew for another. It'll take an awful lot to get me on another plane again. On our next trip, DD and I are driving and DH is going to fly down and meet us.

 

[Bonnie40]

Boy, I would drive any day over flying! Must be nice to enjoy so many trips to WDW!