You tell me (required to buy two seats)

[RayaniFoxmur]

I'm thinking about surprising FH with a quick three night trip to DW for his birthday in March (which is my spring break. His birthday is in Feb unfortunately). We want to fly down, but as you can see in my picture, we're both pooh sized! I can't really afford to shell out for two seats each, we'd be flying Continental, do you think if we both lost like, 20 pounds by then we'd be ok? I haven't flown in years so I don't really remember and he's never flown at all! I'm nervous, but we really wanna go back down. Any suggestions you'd have would help (Other than, you know... driving )

Thanks!

 

[DadofChristaSonofRay]

I don't know if this will help you but I am 6'6" and about 325.
(48 inch waist) and I can tightly fit into one seat. You and your FH could lift the armrest up between you and also gain a couple of inches.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I don't know if this will help you but I am 6'6" and about 325.
(48 inch waist) and I can tightly fit into one seat. You and your FH could lift the armrest up between you and also gain a couple of inches.

That does help thank you! He is a 48 inch waist and we're right now doing our best to lose even more weight, we both could lose enough that he'd be a 46 by the time we'd leave. That gives me hope! Now... here's hoping they don't make us buy more when we get to the gate!

 

[seashoreCM]

Unpredictable things may happen if you take up more seats than you purchased.

One possibility is that you could be put off of the plane.

If the flight is not full you should not have a problem.

Could the two of you purchase three seats altogether and thus get a complete row to yourselves?

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.

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

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Unpredictable things may happen if you take up more seats than you purchased.

One possibility is that you could be put off of the plane.

Could the two of you purchase three seats altogether and thus get a complete row to yourselves?

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

We're booking THROUGH Disney, since it's giving us the cheapest airfares (believe it or not) so I don't think I can

 

[Scraper]

Well maybe you could request the side with two seats and just cuddle together. I wish you the best of luck on the twenty lbs. Just be supportive of each other. Have a great trip.

 

[dudspizza]

My only fear would be that if you get seat assignments or not. If you are flying say, Airtran that is booked via Disney, you will not be able to check in online and not be able to get your seats until you check in at the airport. If you do have to do this, get to the Airport VERY early to make sure you can try to sit together and possibly get the exit row for more leg room. If you don't end up sitting together, it is important that you have to be able to put down the armrest or buy that extra seat....... just what happens when you are a bigger person.... as I am a bigger person... or was.... down 41.4 pounds in the last 4 months on weight watchers and dedicated exercise!!!!

 

[dreamcometrue]

I like to use www.seatguru.com to pick my seats, they also have a comparison chart which includes the width of seats for different airlines. You might wanna take a peek. Of course, if you booked through Disney, you won't have a choice, you just have to take what they assign you. I assume the width there are with the armrest down!

http://www.seatguru.com/charts/domestic_economy.php

 

[MushyMushy]

To be perfectly honest, I think you should contact the airline and try to get a third seat to put between the two of you. If you would end up in a row with a third person, that would not be a very comfortable situation for any of you. And it's certainly not fair to impose on the other person.

I don't know how Continental handles it, but I got an extra seat with SW and it worked out extremely well, having it between me and my DH. From the looks of things, I'm about your size, but my DH is smaller than your DF -- it was a pretty snug fit for the two of us.

 

[bicker]

Don't count on getting seat assignments together. It is simply something no airline is willing to guarantee.

If you get three seats, two seat will be allocated for one of you, and the third seat for the other of you, and while they'll try to ensure they're together, there are no guarantees, so you may face the difficult situation seashoreCM outlined, being put off the aircraft. Just be prepared for it, just in case. The only way to avoid that is to do as has been suggested: purchase two seats for each of you.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

At looking at the reservation though, behind our names it says 22(B) and 22(C)... is that not our seat numbers?

 

[ducklite]

At looking at the reservation though, behind our names it says 22(B) and 22(C)... is that not our seat numbers?

Those are the seat numbers, but that can change. It's not really how much someone weighs, it's how wide they are, and the be honest, judging by that photo there's no way that your FH can fit into one airline seat without pretty seriously spilling over into the seat next to him to to his width, and you do'nt really have the space to let him take some of yours. I don't think that losing 20 pounds is going to help in that respect. I can't really see how wide you are, but my guess that you'll be spilling over into someone's seat a bit as well.

You have the center and aisle seats on your flight, so one of you can lean into the aisle for most of the flight, but you need to do everything you can to not enter the space of the person in the window seat, and be aware that if that person complains that you are infringing onto their space, one of several things could happen. (And do not expect them to allow you to lift the armrest between the middle and window seat, I can pretty well guarantee this won't happen.)

You could be required to by a second seat for each of you on the spot. You could be deplaned and require to wait for another flight thta had enough empty seats to accmodate you. Or one of you might be moved to another lpace on the plane so you won't be seated together, but you would each ahve more space.

As a reference, I've met MushyMushy in person, and she's quite a bit smaller than you--at least from what I could tell from that photo. So use that information with her post as a comparision.

I'd suggest getting to the airport REALLY early and asking if there are any rows with three empty seats available to move you to. If not, then try to get one of you moved to a row with two empty seats so you both have extra room. Hopefully you'll get an empathetic gate agent who will try to make you and those around you all comfortable. Just be prepared to be split up for a couple hours on the plane. IMHO that's far better than most of the potential alternatives.

Anne

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Those are the seat numbers, but that can change. It's not really how much someone weighs, it's how wide they are, and the be honest, judging by that photo there's no way that your FH can fit into one airline seat without pretty seriously spilling over into the seat next to him to to his width, and you do'nt really have the space to let him take some of yours. I don't think that losing 20 pounds is going to help in that respect. I can't really see how wide you are, but my guess that you'll be spilling over into someone's seat a bit as well.

You have the center and aisle seats on your flight, so one of you can lean into the aisle for most of the flight, but you need to do everything you can to not enter the space of the person in the window seat, and be aware that if that person complains that you are infringing onto their space, one of several things could happen.

You could be required to by a second seat for each of you on the spot. You could be deplaned and require to wait for another flight thta had enough empty seats to accmodate you. Or one of you might be moved to another lpace on the plane so you won't be seated together, but you would each ahve more space.

As a reference, I've met MushyMushy in person, and she's quite a bit smaller than you--at least from what I could tell from that photo. So use that information with her post as a comparision.

Anne

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!

 

[goofy4tink]

I would call the airline, and try to book that third seat. Yes, it will be more money, but the peace of mind you will get will be 'priceless' as they say. After many trips to WDW, I have to say that I have yet to be split up from my traveling partners. Yes, it does happen, but it's not an everyday thing. I wouldn't be overly concerned about it. Get to the airport and check in as early as you can. WHen you call the airline, explain to them what your situation is. I'm sure that whoever would have been 'squeezed' into the seat on either side of you and your FH would thank you. So, try to get 22A assigned to you as well. If you can't, then see if they can change you to a row where you can have all three seats...obviously for a charge.
Hope you have a terrific trip!!!

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I too am sensitive about my weight so I know how easily it is to get upset about it. I don't think anyone intentionally meant to make you feel bad, they are just trying to help. But it sounds like you may have had some other issues with the boards if you were already considering leaving... I think it is awesome that you both are trying to lose weight. How are you doing it? I am looking for the magic pill of course! Take care!

 

[ducklite]

The way you decribed FH and I... you made us sound like monsterous blobs.

That was not my intention, and you've taken it the wrong way.

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.

Which is why I've tried to offer advice, don't take it if you don't want to. It's called advice, and it was tendered as such, not as any type of personal affront.

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!

Like I said, I was not trying to make you feel bad. How one person can fit and another of the same weight can't is simple. The way they carry thier weight. Your FH carries his on the sides. If it were all in front, a seatbelt extender would have been an easy fit.

Can both of you sit in a standard office chair with arms without spilling out of or over them at all? A standard office chair is 20". An airplane seat is generally 2-3 inches narrower. If you can sit in the standard armed office chair without being wider than it (including shoulders) then you're going to fit in an airplane seat. If not, please consider buying extra seats.

Anne

 

[Disney Ella]

I don't think Ducklite in any way implied that you are blobs. You asked for advice and told people to look at the photos. All she said was that based on the photos, your boyfriend might not fit. And she is right. I thought that was exactly the information you were looking for.

I hope you resolve the seat issue and have a great trip.

 

[MushyMushy]

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 can guarantee that Anne meant no such thing at all, and she would never try to hurt someone based on their weight! Please don't take it that way. I totally understand how sensitive you feel about your weight -- believe me, I do! But you need to get all the honest viewpoints NOW so you can handle this in the privacy of your own home rather than have to deal with a potential devastating encounter at the airport.

I went through this same questioning myself when I flew last year, and it is a delicate subject, but it's important to be honest with yourself.

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?

How to be delicate about this.... one person's 48" waist might all be in the front, like a beer gut, and while that person would be pretty fat, the stomach wouldn't cause problems spilling over onto the next seat. They might need a seatbelt extender, but they wouldn't encroach on the next seat. From the looks of it, your DF carries quite a bit on his sides, so that would make it hard for the two of you to sit side by side.

Anyway, good luck. Don't give up on the idea of a trip -- just be realistic. And by all means, go on that diet! At your age, you both should have no problems dropping those pounds.

 

[bavaria]

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.

Also be aware that seat sizes and widths vary greatly. You should also be aware of seat pitch - the room between rows on a plane. www.seatguru.com is a very helpful website, and will help you to judge a little better based on actual sizing.

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!

 

[bicker]

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....

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.