On Sep 25, 9:32 am, Dollie wrote:
> On 25 Sep 2007 10:52:15 -0000, "Realistic BBW"
>
>
>
> wrote:
> >http://www.naafa.org/documents/brochures/airtips.html
>
> >Airline Tips for Large Passengers
> >Airline travel can be a nightmare for the large person. Small seats and
> >aisles, the long walk from the check-in area to the gate, and the frequent
> >insensitivity of passengers and crew can all contribute to an unpleasant
> >flying experience. But with careful planning, your flight can be safe and
> >enjoyable. Follow the guidelines listed below in order to maximize your
> >comfort while flying.
>
> >BOOK CAREFULLY - Book your flight carefully, avoiding "rush-hour" air time.
> >Take advantage of "red-eye special" deals, where the plane is less likely
> >to be full . The chance of the seat next to yours remaining empty is 0% if
> >you are flying out of LAX at 0 600 on a Monday morning.
> >EMPTY SEAT - Tell the airline that you are large and ask that the seat next
> >to yours remain empty if at all possible. The worst the airline can do is
> >say "No", but most airlines will at least attempt to accommodate.
> >BELT EXTENSIONS - Request a seat-belt extension when you book your flight,
> >and/or ask for one when you board the plane. Do not wait for the flight
> >attendant's animated safety speech to discuss this need.
> >SEAT SIZE - When you book your flight ask specifically for the seat
> >measurements of the plane you will be on. Explain your need and ask for the
> >largest seat in your section of the plane. Even one inch can make a big
> >difference.
> >AISLE OR WINDOW - Request a seat assignment for the aisle or window, where
> >you will I have a little more room, and make sure that you don't have a
> >bulkhead seat. While you have more leg-room in bulkhead, the armrests in
> >the bulkhead do not raise, and the tray tables come out of the armrest
> >across your lap. Supersize flyers might wish to request an aisle seat in a
> >row where the outside armrests are movable, making it easier to slide into
> >the row.
> >PRE-BOARD - Even mid-size people have trouble squeezing down the
> >micro-sized center aisle of most planes, and this task is even more
> >difficult the plane is already plump with passengers. For this reason, you
> >should preboard the plane with the rest of the passengers who need extra
> >time in boarding. The gate agent probably won't hassle you, but if she
> >asks, just say that you're a large person and need a little extra time.
> >ARMREST UP - When you get to your seat during pre-boarding, raise the
> >armrest between seats. This may give you the inch or two of extra space you
> >need. The chances are that the passenger who will be seated next to you
> >won't say anything; if he does, smile pleasantly and say that you'll both
> >be more comfortable if the armrest is up.
> >RESTROOMS - Use the airport restroom before boarding your plane. Ask when
> >booking your trip if handicapped facilities are available on your
> >particular flight. If not, you may want to change your plans and fly on a
> >plane equipped with an accessible restroom.
> >TRAY-TABLE - If you cannot bring down the tray-table, have the flight
> >attendant ask the passenger in front of you to put their seat to the full
> >upright position for mealtime. If this doesn't help, set a pillow on your
> >lap, and your meal tray on the pillow.
> >DO THE BUMP - Consider being bumped voluntarily. Not only can this be
> >extremely profitable for fat frequent flyers (see related article), but
> >your chances of being re-assigned to a partially full plane are greatly
> >enhanced. You won't mind the inconvenience of an odd departure/arrival time
> >if your next trip by air is at a greatly reduced price.
> >SECOND SEAT - If you have purchased a second seat for comfort, be sure to
> >let the flight attendant know as you board the plane. This will avoid
> >embarrassment, as an ignorant flight attendant may try to fill your second
> >seat.
> >EXIT ROW SEAT - The exit-row seats over the wings of most planes have
> >considerably more leg room than the rest of the seats in economy class.
> >While FM regulations state that exit-row seating may be denied to fat
> >passengers, requesting an exit-row seat may be a viable option for fat
> >people who are tall and those with reasonably good health and mobility.
> >GATE TRANSPORTATION - It's usually a long walk between curbside check-in
> >and the gate, or between gates when you have connecting flights. When
> >making your reservations, make sure to tell the agent if you will need
> >special services, such as the airport tra m or an armless wheelchair and
> >attendant.
> >The most important thing to remember is that you have the right to fly
> >anywhere you want to go. Your needs deserve to be met, but it may be up to
> >you to remind them of this simple fact. If you experience problems despite
> >your precautions, write a letter of complaint to the airline. Remember, you
> >have a right to accessible transportation.
>
> >Contributors: Jean Soncrant and Lynn McAffee (
> >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0leLrjA20xo)
>
> Excellent suggestions. One very important one you omitted though.
>
> Make sure you make prior arrangements to insure that you get enough to
> eat. If the flight is long enough for snacks or meals to be served
> specify that you are to be served triple snacks and/or triple meals.
> (you may have to pay extra for this but try to get them to provide
> this service at no extra cost.) (Sometimes if you make enough of a
> scene they will foergo the extra fee)
I don't know if this happened during the incident in question.
However......
Once I took a flight from JFK to SFO on American Airlines. I asked to
take the flight one hour earlier than the one I had booked. The
counter attendant asked me if I had all my luggage (not checked in)
and informed me that I had two minutes to decide. I chose it, and got
assigned a seat (coach) in the back of a mostly full flight.
As I got to my assigned seat, there were only two seats across near
the back of the plane. The guy who I would have been sitting next to
was a good 350-450 lbs, and I would say he was morbidly obese. He
looked up to me and flat out said that it probably would be better for
both of us if I could find another empty seat. There were a few empty
seats, and I gladly obliged.
As I was waiting for my ride (made arrangement on a call on a very
poor sounding air phone, and was charged $17 for two minutes) I saw
the same would-be seat-mate. He was going my way and offerered me a
ride home, although I declined.
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