Non-NSV-Air Travel-I Can't Lie

Reminds me of a time some years ago when my now sleeved hubby and me flew somewhere. Hubby was in SMO category but we were in a "two seat" row so we just squished in together.

Well the jerk in front of him reclinded his seat so my husband couldn't take a deep breath. When they brought beverages of course hubby couldn't even open tray table (couldn't anyway) and the attendant was very gracious and politely explained to the man in front that his reclined chair was giving hubby no room and could he please straighten it up. the guy did so begrudgingly. I was so pleased with that steward as hubby never would have asked on his own. People *****cline seats on airplanes are so rude - shouldn't be allowed.

Its so great to be able to fly now and feel like I have enough room. One of the few advantages of not being tall. But when I was fat I always tried to hard not to "spill over" on someone else.

Airlines really ought to create more seating options as some people are really tall, some really large whether obese or not, and pretty much nobody is very comfortable on an airplane anymore.  diane

I will not comment on the original post but I will say this...Diane you seem to have been the only person to address the fact that a LARGE part of this could be solved by airlines and the design of their aircraft, etc. 

And before someone gets their panties or boxer shorts in a wad I am NOT an engineer, I do not design aircraft, etc. but I AM a tenured travel agent and I have flown several times before at my previous weight and I keep an ear to all things having to do with travel, aircraft, flying, etc. in terms of my industry. 

For those of you that may be knowledgeable about such matters you know that airlines as well as many other methods of travel have changed significantly over the years.  The one that tends to give us the most glaring picture however is the lack of space in the airplane. Let's face it...even my friends that have never been fat a day in their life HATE flying and it's not because of MO or SMO people being on the plane...it's because even THEY HAVE NO DAMN ROOM! Airlines have admittedly in the last few years did their level best to increase the number of seats in planes and DECREASE things like seat width, leg room, etc. all in the name of the almighty dollar! 

Don't believe me...ask yourself one good question.  How much extra did it cost them to transport our checked baggage before? Did that cost somehow INCREASE as they restrict their schedules and fill their planes with more people (fewer flights and same demand = full flights most of the time)?  But yet...we now PAY to CHECK those same bags, to get a pillow/blanket/earphones, food, etc. Things that previously were included in the cost of flying and the tickets of course were priced much lower. (And I am not so naive to know that economics, inflation, and time have a part in this too...so don't waste time pointing that out thank you...I'm making a point here). 

Honestly I think sometimes that if we did as much to show airlines (and companies in general) our dissatisfaction with the way that they are trying to "cut" costs while steadily trying to cut off the circulation of even average sized people, we might actually get somewhere and get them to MAKE CHANGES. 

But that of course...is just my $3.75/gallon...the average cost of gas in my city.  *SIGH*

 


Just so you know....I agree with you for the most part.....

I have well over a Million Miles with just AA......

Just a little Devil's Advocate.......

The argument will be.... they have those seats.... there up front......

A friend of mine does interior designs for Boeing..... I've photographed the "Sample" interiors that get approved by Airlines that purchase planes from Boeing.

They have some awesome designs.....Some airlines do provide much more spacious accommodations.....

It's all math.....

And gas was $4.25 down the street this morning......

frisco

good points teah.  air travel has become miserable for most people. many years ago i flew on a foreign airline and their attendants were so very  gracious and the plane was half empty. not any more. i often drive now when i used to fly because with security and delays even a 6 hour drive can be faster.   diane

Airlines are not charitable organizations.  They are companies with shareholders, and if they don't make a profit over-time they go bankrupt.  They can put fewer seats on planes and charge more - in fact that's an option on almost any flight.  Cheap seats in sardine class sell.  Most first class seats are filled by upgrades. Airline pricing favors business travelers who don't check bags as do frequent flyer programs for a reason -- they fill planes.

I fly a good bit. I travel for business, I fly to dog shows, etc.  The airlines charge $125 each way to carry a dog on the plane in place of your regular carry-on bag AND they charge to check my other bag.  Why? Because people like me will pay for the priviledge of flying with a dog in a bag under the seat.  The extra $300 I pay round trip makes seats for everyone else cheaper.  

Flying is relatively inexpensive.  Adjusted for inflation, ticket prices are 15-20% lower than what we paid in the mid-1990's. The baggage fees, etc., are what make up the difference. 

 WOW

Flew on Monday......

 

Don’t even get me wrong.....I can write about this because I’ve been on the other side the majority of my life.......

 

My flight was on Southwest.... Open seating.... pretty dependable Airline.....I actually like it. Just gotta know how to work it.....Get your boarding pass online ASAP to get the lowest boarding position.....go to rear of plane to get the highest chance of sitting alone.

 

The stewardess announces a full plane...every seat will be occupied......Swell....

 

I’m in my isle seat.....a woman is in the window seat......middle seat is open.....as each person walks towards us the anticipation begins.....

 

Than it happens..... This SMO woman is walking towards us eying the left over middle seats......stops at my row....gestures to me she wants in.....Well fine.... I’m sensitive to the big person.....After trying to wedge a bag into the overhead that was to big (her stomach hit my face while she was pushing her bag in) I get up to let her in.....

 

Dang.... she’s a big one....my trained measuring eyes tell me she is about 5’ 7’’ and about 360.... wedges herself in.....fat is spilling out into my seat under the arm rest.....You get the picture....

 

I sit down.....her arms are well into my air space....only good part was she was way forward so my arms went behind hers.

 

I’m still being sensitive....because she is one of “my people"......what ever......

 

She proceeds to do the “Bag Over Lap Belt" to hide the fact that the seat belt doesn’t reach.....She doesn’t know....that I know what she's doing.(I used to do the same thing!)

 

So.... I’m thinking “This is going to be a long 4 hours"

 

Than....we take off.... I feel that she is emanating “Hot Steamy Rank Body Heat"...... At that point I was officially grossed out..... Sorry....can’t lie.....

 

I thought about what just went down..... This is a situation where the SMO picked the seat in my row because I was of small stature and the person in the window seat was skinny......

 

Again.... don’t get me wrong..... just observations from the other side.....

 

frisco

I've always liked and respected your posts Frisco.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty disappointed that you felt the need to share this.

You might be interested to see the reactions in another plane situation just over on the main board:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4562171/FB-friend-say ing-shes-grossed-out-by-obese-person-on-plane/

When I was SMO, I bought 2 tickets on Southwest as a 'person of size' to be considerate of the other people flying. The upside is you get also get to board first.  

While I empathize with the SMO, I don't feel it's right  to wedge yourself in a seat and make other passengers uncomfortable, particularly on a long flight.  

I would have said something to a flight atttendant had she been sitting next to me.  Sorry if that sounds harsh or lacking in empathy. While I can empathize with the situation I pay good money for my seat, as well.

I literally had trouble sleeping last night because of this post.  You are greatly admired and respected, so coming from you with your many followers, it bothers me even more.  No matter how many times you mentioned that it's ok, I was in their shoes once, it doesn't take away the following comments:

Post Date: 8/21/12 5:14 pm
 

Flew on Monday......

 

Don’t even get me wrong.....I can write about this because I’ve been on the other side the majority of my life.......

 

My flight was on Southwest.... Open seating.... pretty dependable Airline.....I actually like it. Just gotta know how to work it.....Get your boarding pass online ASAP to get the lowest boarding position.....go to rear of plane to get the highest chance of sitting alone.

 

The stewardess announces a full plane...every seat will be occupied......Swell....

 

I’m in my isle seat.....a woman is in the window seat......middle seat is open.....as each person walks towards us the anticipation begins.....

 

Than it happens..... This SMO woman is walking towards us eying the left over middle seats......stops at my row....gestures to me she wants in.....Well fine.... I’m sensitive to the big person.....After trying to wedge a bag into the overhead that was to big (her stomach hit my face while she was pushing her bag in) I get up to let her in.....

 

Dang.... she’s a big one....my trained measuring eyes tell me she is about 5’ 7’’ and about 360.... wedges herself in.....fat is spilling out into my seat under the arm rest.....You get the picture....

 

I sit down.....her arms are well into my air space....only good part was she was way forward so my arms went behind hers.

 

I’m still being sensitive....because she is one of “my people"......what ever......

 

She proceeds to do the “Bag Over Lap Belt" to hide the fact that the seat belt doesn’t reach.....She doesn’t know....that I know what she's doing.(I used to do the same thing!)

 

So.... I’m thinking “This is going to be a long 4 hours"

 

Than....we take off.... I feel that she is emanating “Hot Steamy Rank Body Heat"...... At that point I was officially grossed out..... Sorry....can’t lie.....

 

I thought about what just went down..... This is a situation where the SMO picked the seat in my row because I was of small stature and the person in the window seat was skinny......

 

Again.... don’t get me wrong..... just observations from the other side.....

 

frisco

Clearly I'm having trouble letting this go, as you can see and I think there are a few others if you read carefully and notice the deleted posts.  Very disappointing, indeed.