Passenger of size issues on OOL-MEL flight today

[Revolio]

It seems mentioning being a <1 seat passenger located next to a >1 seat passenger means you have instigated the inevitable fallout. The golden arches of despair.

 

[JohnK]

she did say she was too big to sit in a normal seat row....

I don't get it.

Too big how? Legroom? If you can fit in a bulkhead or exit row seat with fixed armrests then you can easily fit into a normal seat. And if you can lift the armrest in a normal seat then the seat becomes a lot more comfortable.

I suspect this lady was being extremely selfish and instead of inconveniencing herself she inconvenienced others around her which is a no no in public. If she insisted to have a little extra legroom or wanting to get out first and inconvenience others then she totally loses any sympathy for her.

 

[gruntfuttock]

ahhh, the joys of travel

Like many others, I'm reckon the OP deserved a lot better. As a POS (I keep thinking of the other connotation, but people don't say it to my face so I must be a nice guy...) I've been pondering this one for a while.

Hell, I wouldn't want to be sitting next to me so I have no desire to inflict me on others.

Easy when I'm paying - I just buy the comfort seat or Y+/J - but the corporate system won't allow it and rejects anything outside a tiny margin over BFOD. Managed to get one carrier to sell me an extra seat without using the corporate agent once - their response to my feedback was along the lines of "we'll counsel the staff so they never do that again." Still chasing the extra points and SCs as well.

Simple check of my history will show that every darned FF point I earn on either local carrier has been re-invested in upgrades to a gruntfuttock-sized chair; can't imagine why they won't tweak things to lessen the grief all round.


Just for a giggle at my expense - on a US trip my dizzying QF status (made it all the way to SG for a few years) got me front row of AA coach LAX-IAD. Also had my comfort seat... in the row with fixed armrests. US cabin crew never interested in much before wheels-up but finally arranged a swap.

The bloke I 'disadvantaged' by moving a few rows forward got a free bottle of red for his inconvenience. He wants me to fly with him more often!

 

[Aus ATC]

A few years ago (on a different Australian airline), I had the misfortune of being seated next to a POS. I didn't think to do anything about it, but spent the entire flight (CBR-BNE) angled into the aisle. On arrival in BNE, I got out of my seat and promptly passed out. Now, I don't know if I had an underlying illness at the time, but am quite sure my seating position had at least something to do with it.

I awoke (obviously some minutes later) to the Aviation Rescue paramedic giving me oxygen (I think), and an ambulance ride to hospital. Fortunately I was travelling with a colleague who was able to accompany me and hand me over to Mrs Aus ATC.

 

[strtrek]

morning all.

I will keep you posted when I get a reply from the customer service people at Virgin about this sensitive topic.

 

[anna2103]

Isn't there also a safety issue too - I thought POS should have a window seat so in the event of an emergency they will not block anyone from getting out. From the OP's post comments about squeezing her in, it sounds like getting her out in a hurry would have been problematic.
What really strikes me though is how a simple resolution which was eventually obtained caused so much embarrassment and grief. Where was the common sense and humanity from VA?

 

[bullerdude]

Just to throw in another thought here... I double all VA crews would have dealt with the situation in this manor based on what i've seen in the past.

 

[toowongman]

finally told 2 seats available in exit row 14.

There is fail on all sides of this story.

3B's side - they should be smart enough to buy two seats or fly in J. The former isn't difficult if the latter isn't possible.

Your side - you should have taken the exit row. Harden up, live a little, learn something new and if it's time to evacuate you are first out. That's a plus in anyone's book.

VA's side - my experience has shown that a lot of checkin staff don't realise that row 3 in 737 is for tall thin people. As a former person of size they would often think "Oh we'll put you in 3x as there's more space" to which I would have to reply "no thanks, it's too narrow". VA also need a system that allows checkin staff or gate agents to note people of size and solve these problems before boarding - including a clear policy about two seats etc. on their website and sent to agents.

Finally the FAs can upgrade someone to J if they want to. I've seen it happen every few months when they bump up their mates or staff, so once again we have an example of their inconsistent service hypocrisy.

 

[strtrek]

There is fail on all sides of this story.

3B's side - they should be smart enough to buy two seats or fly in J. The former isn't difficult if the latter isn't possible.

Your side - you should have taken the exit row. Harden up, live a little, learn something new and if it's time to evacuate you are first out. That's a plus in anyone's book.

VA's side - my experience has shown that a lot of checkin staff don't realise that row 3 in 737 is for tall thin people. As a former person of size they would often think "Oh we'll put you in 3x as there's more space" to which I would have to reply "no thanks, it's too narrow". VA also need a system that allows checkin staff or gate agents to note people of size and solve these problems before boarding - including a clear policy about two seats etc. on their website and sent to agents.

Finally the FAs can upgrade someone to J if they want to. I've seen it happen every few months when they bump up their mates or staff, so once again we have an example of their inconsistent service hypocrisy.

mate, i dont do exit rows, brachial plexus injury so cant really rely on shoulder being up to the task to open door in emergency...so i dont want to take that risk. nothing really to do with hardening up.

 

[toowongman]

mate, i dont do exit rows, brachial plexus injury so cant really rely on shoulder being up to the task to open door in emergency...so i dont want to take that risk. nothing really to do with hardening up.

Fair enough. Carry on!

 

[strtrek]

Fair enough. Carry on!

will do.....

 

[strtrek]

Update:

had a great chat to guest relations, I feel better now.....and I passed on my compliments re the MEL lounge ladies hopefully they win something!

this is why I continue to fly virgin.

 

[samh004]

Update:

had a great chat to guest relations, I feel better now.....and I passed on my compliments re the MEL lounge ladies hopefully they win something!

this is why I continue to fly virgin.

That's good to hear.

 

[Pushka]

Update:

had a great chat to guest relations, I feel better now.....and I passed on my compliments re the MEL lounge ladies hopefully they win something!

this is why I continue to fly virgin.

I'm curious as to what could be said to make you feel better?

 

[pauly7]

Update:

had a great chat to guest relations, I feel better now.....and I passed on my compliments re the MEL lounge ladies hopefully they win something!

this is why I continue to fly virgin.

Full refund?

 

[Finale]

You were actually quite lucky.

I flew QF BKK - SYD and QF changed my seat (from aisle to window) and I was seated next to a big bloke who took up almost half of my seat. Flight was full so couldn't move. I put a pillow next to my waist as his elbow kept poking me. He said 'Can you remove the pillow? I can't eat'. I had to put my face against the wall/windows to feel a bit more comfy. No exaggerating.

The other one was the same route on Emirates. Had an aisle seat next to another big middle eastern bloke who had to sit with arms above his head (or I could hardly sit). It was not just the size this time but also...the smell. Again the flight was full and I was out of my seat for like 5-6 hours standing at the back of the plane. Best cabin crew could offer was the crew seat which I couldn't use for too long.

After this happened 2 times, I decided to not fly Y again if flight is over 3 hours.

 

[JohnK]

I'm curious as to what could be said to make you feel better?

Upgrades to business class on their next flight?

 

[strtrek]

I didn't really get anything, just a few points, but it was getting the information in case this happens in the future that made me feel a bit happier & being heard.

I like to be informed.

Policy is to reseat you or the other passenger, and if that cant happen just keep telling them you cant fly like that (dont volunteer to catch next flight as they count that as a Voluntary offload and then your goose is cooked), if there is no available seats, its up to VA to either reseat you or offload the passenger/ or yourself to the next flight.

They don't have a "official" policy as its a VERY touchy subject, and they cant make people buy a 2nd seat..its more up to common sense...but sometimes common sense isnt common practice...so YMMV.

They did say that the lounge ladies if there was no other seats available, should have just popped us on the next flight at no cost.

Also that row 3 is a protected row for plats only....but I know that isnt exactly true as I had a lovely baggage handler on the flight before this one sitting in 3D on SYD-OOL...he said it was the best $48 he'd spent

But, if you are stuck next to a person of size and find yourself uncomfortable, just ask to be reseated. They expect you to say something, as they dont know if you are travelling as a couple (you and the person of size) and don't want to offend you or the other person. So speak up.

 

[Pushka]

I'm pretty sure they would know whether or not a booking is linked. It's a shame these days that in order to rectify an obviously uncomfortable situation that you need to speak up. Or else they turn a blind eye.

 

[NFF]

Airlines better address this issue because passengers are getting larger. Size is a sensitive issue but not men sitting next to minors ?