Arm rest etiquette

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm not sure I understand the issue of pax of size? Surely if the person sits down and there is any intrusion, whatsoever, into your personal space, you quietly get up asap (before push-back) and have a word with the crew? Either you get reseated or the pax of size does, or you offload?

 

[JohnK]

Why assume that only a passenger of size is going to be intrusive?

I was somehow allocated a window seat on a BA flight many years ago and there was a young couple in the aisle and middle seat. She was about 5' 0" sitting in middle seat with feet on seat and constantly moving and bumping into me. Had a fair few drinks throughout flight.

A couple of weeks ago OOL-SYD on VA and I was in aisle with a mother in middle seat and young daughter in window. The mother kept turning around away from me to talk to people behind and constantly kept creeping into my space. I was going to say something but thought against it.

I have also had really obese people sit next to me and make no effort to remain in their seat.

The size of the person does not matter if they have no consideration for others around them.

 

[11sjw]

Slight variation...

Who gets the middle armrest when it is just a 2 person section of a row?

 

[SeatBackForward]

I always put my arms on the inside of the armrest within my seat space..next time I'll try
Taking a photo to demonstrate.

 

[AVC]

Ever wonder what would happen if armrests were done away with completely?

And then turn the seating longitudinal (C130 style). Very cosy. Then try doing it with a field pack on your lap.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And then turn the seating longitudinal (C130 style). Very cosy. Then try doing it with a field pack on your lap.

Whilst juggling a rat pack and trying to prevent spray from landing in it from the guy next to you heaving into a bag.

 

[Blinky]

Had an interesting experience today on a MEL-OOL Virgin flight. Had a seat in 4F, and was told the middle seat was blocked at check in. I really appreciated this when I found that 4D was occupied by a very large man who was wheelchaired in.

Needless to say, it was a full flight and an average sized woman was in the middle. She had no choice but to lean against me, but with a combination of arm crossing and sharing the front and back of our armrest, it worked quite well. The three of us chatted from time to time throughout the flight, which always results in a civil, friendly flight in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

on a MEL-OOL Virgin flight. Had a seat in 4F, and was told the middle seat was blocked at check in. I really appreciated this when I found that 4D was occupied by a very large man who was wheelchaired in.

Needless to say, it was a full flight and an average sized woman was in the middle.

So 4E was blocked at check-in (presumably to accommodate the wheelchair bound gent in 4D), but a lady was them shoved in 4E? By whom I wonder?

In my view, 4E should have been allocated as a comfort seat. Either purchased by 4D or graciously supplied by VA. Yes, we must be compassionate about flyers who do need assistance, but VA should also be thinking about their other guests who have purchased a seat and do expect the full use of that seat. A 2 hour flight is not one that I would want to be scrunched up against a window for the duration of and what if you or the lady needed to use the lavatory? Did they leave the shoe-horn nearby so you could get back in again?

I admire your attitude about the situation, but if I were in 4E or 4F, I would have been miffed (not at the other two flyers, but at VA for not dealing with the situation appropriately). You were in row 4 and a gold FFer. Were there any J seats left? That would be a time in my books when an op-up is warranted (perhaps for the lady in 4E if she had status). If not, the plane was oversold and required VA to deal with it...simple as that.

 

[Awesom Andy]

If not, the plane was oversold and required VA to deal with it...simple as that.

If that's really the case, I suppose it's still better to have half a seat than not being able to get somewhere at all... or bump off someone with no status in row 5/6/7 for it...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If that's really the case, I suppose it's still better to have half a seat than not being able to get somewhere at all... or bump off someone with no status in row 5/6/7 for it...

I see it as no different to any case of overselling seats. Someone won't travel that day. It's not up to VA to make the decision that it's better to provide 1/2 a seat rather than none at all. The pax who've paid for a whole seat should be given what they pay for.

I also see the person who should get bumped not being a no status in row 5/6/7 but Mr Oversize in 4D. He should have purchased a comfort seat and in the event of a full plane, he should be the one who waits for the next plane available with spare seats to accommodate him. That's not being nasty (I've said I'm no skin and bone person myself) it's just the way it is.