Overweight Passengers and Paying for an Extra Seat

[Fashion Lad!]

I think common courtesy would say that if you think you may encroach onto your neighbor's seat in an airplane, you should consider buying a second seat.

Is it fair they have to pay for two seats? No.
Is it fair for their neighbor if they only pay for one seat and take up part of their neighbor's seat? No.

[Dreamstalker]

I think common courtesy would say that if you think you may encroach onto your neighbor's seat in an airplane.

IF they think of it. Which an astonishing number of people do not.

What is this "common courtesy" of which you speak? Sometimes I think I'm one of the few travelers (not even travelers, just people in general) left in this country who is actually aware of a possible effect my actions or lack thereof may have on someone else.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I think if you can't fit your ass into one seat, then you need to pay for two. You're paying for space, that is it. If you take up two seats, that's two tickets. That IS fair.

Now, having said that, it's NOT fair that those seats are so tiny. If they are going to start charging big folks extra, then they need to make a seat big enough that someone my size (and I am not large) does not feel like I have been vacuum sealed into the damn seat. Those seats should fit at least a normal sized ass, and I would argue that unless you are in first class, they do not.

My ass is a size six and I am not comfortable in those seats. I had to keep standing up on that flight to and from Vegas I took in October because I could not stand being so cramped and folded up. I hated every fucking minute of being on that plane. And I was DRINKING, and that miserable, too.

If they are gonna start coming down on large people, they need to at least be fair about it.

[Slytovhand]

So, what happens when the plane hits severe turbulence, and this guy - who is unrestrained in the seatbelt, and unable to be restrained in the seatbelt - hits his head on the overhead compartment? Does he get to successfully sue? Does he waive his right to?? What if, in the same circumstance, his jostling around in the turbulance injures someone else?

And how do I get to the toilet past this guy? Or the cabin crew deliver the in-flight drinks and meals??

[Nyoibo]

I'll admit that my flying experience is mostly limited to international flights, but the size of the seats isn't that bad if a Maori rugby player can sit in one ok.

[Mr Slugger]

I'll admit that my flying experience is mostly limited to international flights, but the size of the seats isn't that bad if a Maori rugby player can sit in one ok.

I think in some cases it depends on the airline. Because when I've flyed with JetBlue I find the seats very comfortable, and I'm not a skinny guy. But even delta the seats are fine the leg room is the problem there.

[IDrinkaRum]

I'm short. I'm 5'3" and I have an inseam of 29". I am not all legs. When I went to Florida for a week a couple of years ago, my legs felt cramped.

When my husband wasn't on flight restrictions, he had to get a doctor's note that stated that when he flew, he had to have 2 seats. I don't know if that was the requirement of the airlines or if it was a requirement for his organization so he'd get reimbursed for 2 seats instead of just one.

There are seat belt extenders. There is a limited amount on the airplanes or you can go to the website: www.livingxl.com and buy them there. (Living XL is a website for very large people who can find items for everyday - chairs, bikes, etc. to help make their life better).

[Peppergirl]

When my husband wasn't on flight restrictions, he had to get a doctor's note that stated that when he flew, he had to have 2 seats. I don't know if that was the requirement of the airlines or if it was a requirement for his organization so he'd get reimbursed for 2 seats instead of just one.

Likely the organization. For the couple of regular customers I have that need an extra seat, it's store in their information so that I sell the second seat, and it assures that two seats show on the invoice, so that the person can get reimbursed.

The format is pretty straightforward, for anyone interested. The name of the traveler is added in the standard way, and then a second name field is put in, but the words -xtra/seat instead of an actual name. Then I have to sell two seats as if there were a second person.

And they don't get a break on the price for a second seat. It's double whatever they paid for the first seat.

[Fryk]

What gets me on planes isn't my ass, I fit there fine. But I am very broad-shouldered, and trying to keep them and my arms in my own space can be a pain.

[Nyoibo]

What gets me on planes isn't my ass, I fit there fine. But I am very broad-shouldered, and trying to keep them and my arms in my own space can be a pain.

That, that's my problem on planes.

[Rapscallion]

Narrow seats are simply a way to cram more people on the plane, hence lowering prices and being competitive. Most people would be willing to pay a little more and have more room, or at least they would say so, However, in practice low prices sell.

Sad, but true.

Rapscallion

[jackfaire]

Narrow seats are simply a way to cram more people on the plane, hence lowering prices and being competitive. Most people would be willing to pay a little more and have more room, or at least they would say so, However, in practice low prices sell.

Sad, but true.

Rapscallion

People have a cognitive dissonance on this sort of thing. For example my mom at one of the "Parent's come eat with your kids" days she noticed our food was crap all the parents agreed we should get better quality food.

That year the same parents were overheard opposing the taxes that would pay for said food.

People want better conditions they just don't want to be the ones paying for it.

[Lace Neil Singer]

My problem in economy, or as a lot of people call it round here, "goat class" or "cattle class", is that my height is mostly my legs and there is hardly any leg room. Also, the last time I flew, this obnoxious little brat was kicking the back of my seat. He soon stopped after I told him that if he didn't, I'd break both his legs and throw him out the window. XD

As for the large needing two seats, then tough. Life isn't fair, and it isn't fair that someone who paid for their seat ends up having to give up half of it for your bulk, either. There is no way I'd agree to squash myself into half a seat just so some tub can sprawl and sweat all over me; I'd make a gigantic fuss so that they'd move me elsewhere.

[DesignFox]

<snip>
People want better conditions they just don't want to be the ones paying for it.

Quoted for truth.

I see this in ALL aspects of life. From food quality, to customer service quality.

Oftentimes people come to my store and wonder why the phones cost more than they do online. Well, HELLOOOOOO! How do you think I get paid? If you want the customer service, you PAY for it! If you don't care about service, order your crap online...but leave me alone. You aren't keeping me employed by constantly complaining about pricing...buying stuff everywhere BUT at the store...and demanding the same level of service I give to people who, you know, help put food on my plate.

I think with flying it's getting tough because it can be so expensive to fly in the first place. I, for example, would be more than happy to fly first class whenever I travel. I just can't afford to. Hell, I'm lucky I can afford to be crammed into coach...

I agree that the overall experience would be more pleasant if the seats were slightly larger with a little more leg room. However, how are the airlines going to pay for that, while keeping costs down for the average person? It's a tough call.

[Slytovhand]

However, how are the airlines going to pay for that, while keeping costs down for the average person? It's a tough call.

While maintaining the same high profit margins.... that's really the only thing at issue here. In the beginning of airline flights, there was plenty of room (and it cost a bucket!). Then, flights became more available, and so they slowly started reducing the number of seats, as they realised that 1inch here and there means a few more passengers, and a stack more profit... now, we have 'Economy'... and they(the stock and share holders and CEO's etc) are the only ones who benefit from it!