Proof.......The Yowie does exist!

[simongrant04]

Thanks for raising this topic Swanning. I am an averaged size male (well, what used to be considered average) at 5ft8 and 70kgs ( approx 155pounds) and have had jokes by friends that i should be happy with economy seating but make sure i don't slip between them. Whilst i take this on the chin, the invasion of my space that i have paid for is becoming more and more regular so i feel for you. I boarded a flight in the US last year and Cousin of Yowie boarded and had to walk sideways down the isle just to get to his seat, hitting me with his belly in the process. Upside was he paid for a large seat but in my humble opinion, i am with you on the need for regulation on this. Airlines should not be forced to continually adjust their seating layouts to put in "Yowie-proof" seating as we are then condoning the fact that people are getting fatter, unhealthier and dangerously overweight. If you can't fit a bag in the over head it gets checked and paid for. If you can't fit in a standard seat, you are not having mine. My dollar is worth no less than yours BigFoot so if you need two, buy two. Not yours and half of mine. I know this may seem like a bit of a rant and frankly it is. Like Swanning i am tired of huddling in my seat whist Yowie get to enjoy resting his elephant trunk arms on his tray table / airbag belly and enjoying his flight.
Lucky you did not have the smell,, i have had that in the past and the combination of both is a double snap kick to the melon let me assure you!.

 

[cherft]

The airline must be responsible for our safety and comfort.
We pay for it!
Our carry-on baggage is limited to a set size and weight.
We, the passengers, should be, too, for mutual respect, comfort and safety. ( sitting next to the pictured large gentleman, would I make it out of that plane in 90seconds in an emergency? )
I've read all the solutions and they're all good.
Up to the airlines now to implement before legislation forces them to do something that's only a pathetic work-around to appear to be in compliance.
I'm not holding my breath.

 

[k33gan]

I watched something very similar in premium economy on a China Southern flight to Guangzhou. Very, very obese person had the sense to move to a free row, but unbelievably the cabin crew made him move back to his seat as that row was "reserved for the crew". Poor bloke in the window seat had to move to economy. Only on Chinese airlines I suppose.

 

[amp-qld]

like Muzfly (and of similar frame) I find the lord of the flies-like nature of some of these posts pretty offensive. Not all large/tall/fat pax are the same.

As a small person who battles to keep my weight down (and succeeds), I have every sympathy for tall, well built people in Economy. However, this thread is about fat people. The large majority of fat people are like that because they eat too much of the wrong kind of food and don't exercise enough. I think the idea of a width frame (maybe a seat) is an excellent idea. People who know they don't fit should have to get a bigger or double seat in advance. If there's a proven medical reason, maybe they could get an exemption from the additional costs.

 

[Deleted member]

Im "Fat" anyone who has met me will know that I was really quite fat, I have dropped 20 kg and my BMI tells me that I am still Fat (Obese) I dont need anyone to tell me that I am a scary proposition when heading down the aisle toward them. you can see the "OMG is he sitting next to me" looks.
I have had some issues controlling my weight, i am trying to do more about it and make myself happier, not just fellow travellers.
However I too have a larger frame (weight notwithstanding) and while I have shrunk a bit in my later life I am not much under 6 ft tall.
I have had to sit on planes with really lafge people, and some of them not only have girth as an issue, but often BO and trouble with wind etc (i thionk you get my gist).
some are embarassed about it, others dont seem to care.
I have made a concious decisoin to try and fly in a wider seat (J) when ebver I can, short trips (BNE-SYD) i suck it up in Y. but longer trips I prefer nbuisness.
I do wonder if if a row or two of PE on domestic flights might help? i know price and load factors come into play, but we hear constantly anboyt the Obesity epidemioc, yet seats are not getting wider, rows are not getting more space between them, so either the airlines need to adjust (seat design) and charge accordingly, or more of us will need to book two Y seats.
Im lucky bion that QF often (load permitting) give me a WP shadow, once that status falls away next year, i shall be back to pleb status and will need to either lose a lot more weight, or fly at a higher cost.
Speaking as a Fat person, I am sympathetic to those that have a struggle with weight.
So to all you who are "naturally "skinny, remeber for a lot of us, body shape is not always a matter of choice

 

[Drummer]

this thread is about fat people.

Well good for you amp-qld And congratulations on winning your weight war - being genetically blessed with size (makes it easy for my beloved to find me in a crowd) and being a bit fat makes me no less inclined to think that your post is more generalising rubbish. I look forward to being lectured to on weight loss strategies by you and the other members of the master race when I next fly to SYD. You're not going MEL-SYD next Wednesday by any chance? Might be fun...

 

[justin23]

The only real solution is for airlines to seat overweight passengers in a comfort seat or in 2 seats. When I read a newspaper article about this and the responses are all about weighing the passengers, its
actually quite offensive. Healthy weights in humans vary quite a lot from as little as 40kgs to over 100kgs. The airlines do have a conundrum though, passengers trying to fly for as little money as possible, checkin can involve no human interaction either. However I think they really need to have a policy and clearly state it so those in this situation know it well in advance and will take appropriate actions to avoid embarassment. Yes you will get the occasional issue still. Its human nature, not everyone will follow the rules.

I also think premium economy needs to be more like economy with bigger seats and reduce the other extras, such that it is an affordable option for more people. That way they can eventually cram more into economy, if there is a reasonable option for a larger seat. my gripe is i'm 6'0" tall, so not that tall, my shoulders are 22" wide, and economy seats are a nightmare IMO. I'm always conscious i might be taking up another persons space, but given i'm not obese with fat hanging over the arm rests, there is not much I can do other than fly less and save for more expensive seats, which IMO isn't fair either. Trains often have more comfortable options at a smaller premium cost. It would be nice if planes offered something like this. Or even an airline willing to charge a bit more for the every seat because they all have say 20% more room than a standard airline. surely there is an market for that? I'm stunned at how people are happy to buy the absolute cheapest ticket and cram themselves into a budget carrier. For now i just get exit rows whenever I can. I rarely have issues with this, checkin staff can see that the space would be beneficial and that I'm capable of opening the door.

 

[Apples]

Some time ago, travelling in Y from Hawaii to Sydney on Jetstar larger people were selected out of the economy boarding queue for upgrade to Y. All were given access to Qantas club. We were asked to give up 1A and 1C for one of these 'upgraded' passengers who had a young child. We did not agree. So, it pays to be large sometimes!

 

[monoccular]

I pay for a standard seat, or sometimes extra for leg room as I am 195 cm

Then some fat person comes and takes my space - it is outrageous that the airlines now charge me for legroom but don't charge fatties for width.

Only once has such a person shown any signs of consideration, let alone embarrassment: he kindly sat forward with arms folded on a 1h 45m flight. I was very grateful and told him so.

Most just blob across as if it their entitlement. But then the majority of obese folk care as little about their fellow PAX as they do about their own health.

once I flew LAX MEL next to one such blob - had bad BO as well. I spent many hour walking the aisles whilst he sat there, never missing a meal and expanding.

Airlines rightly charge for excess baggage and limit cabin baggage, yet ignore this serious problem.

 

[monoccular]

Some time ago, travelling in Y from Hawaii to Sydney on Jetstar larger people were selected out of the economy boarding queue for upgrade to Y. All were given access to Qantas club. We were asked to give up 1A and 1C for one of these 'upgraded' passengers who had a young child. We did not agree. So, it pays to be large sometimes!

No sense of justice. Those doomed to be seated next to them should have been given the upgrade, leaving the spare seat for them to gravitate across. In Y they no doubt ate to their (stressed) hearts content, exacerbating the issue. Why encourage them?

 

[toottifruitti]

I am so glad to see that everyone on this thread is sooooo perfect in size and figure. Some people just cannot do anything about their size. Surely they are also entitled to take flights as well as all of you who are so perfectly proportioned.

 

[JohnK]

The average Australian male today weighs 85.7kg and I suspect this number continues to grow.

When was the last time airlines widened economy seats? Trying to fit 6 across on a 737 is a tight squeeze. Perhaps 5 across is a better solution but then airfares would need to increase. The aisle is narrow and I have to walk sideways. I will try not to bump you but if any part of your body is out in the aisle then I may knock you on the way past.

What can I say. Public transport?

 

[DavBlayn]

Overweight people absolutely have the right to fly. It only really becomes a problem when you get people taking up 1.75 of a seat, which is a small proportion of the population.

 

[ronagoh]

My husband is not 'fat' per se ....but has a belly - he has complained many times of the differing sizes of seats on economy on QF - even the space between each seats and lengths of the seat belts!
In some aircraft - he can barely fit the seat belt on!
For some other aircraft - his knees are touching the seat in front of him while in others - he has some extra space.
Mind you - the above are all on QF as comparison.

We find most Asian carriers has a slightly wider seat.
Correct me if I am wrong?

Airlines are all about making more profit - getting as many seats filled as they can - if they can make the seats slightly wider so it's more comfortable for all (they seem to have seats size for mostly 'skinny/short' people - this issue would not arise - just my 2 cents' worth

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Some people just cannot do anything about their size

YES. THEY. CAN.

We have the luxury of being a human being, so we have the luxury to control a large majority of our personal circumstances, that of which includes personal health, i.e your weight.

 

[medhead]

Attitudes like this really annoy me. I am 194cm tall and an ex Rugby player so you can imagine I'm a "large frame" individual. I am however not overweight. I work out five mornings a week and reckon I could out run or swim most of those on this forum, particularly those with an attitude like Vetrade above. Even at 56 years of age I'd give most of his Geelong Cats players a fair run for his money. I find this "he's fat, charge him more" attitude quite offensive. Yes I am tall and large framed and find economy seating very cramped. I try as much as possible to not infringe on Mr Shorty's space. But I've no control over how much space an airline gives me unless I fly Prem Econ or Business which I do on every international flight. So this is one "Yowie" who is very considerate of his fellow passengers. Even if they are probably the same ones who bring on huge pieces of carry on cough and jam it into the overhead lockers. So after giving it some thought, lets embrace Vetrade's idea. Have the frame at boarding and us over-size pax pay more. But the short ones, the little ones go to the very back into seats with even less room than normal. After all if they're small or short they're not going to need it are they?

Some of you seem to have missed the point of dealing with this issue tactfully. That said, like Muzfly (and of similar frame) I find the lord of the flies-like nature of some of these posts pretty offensive. Not all large/tall/fat pax are the same. Lumping all large folks into a generic pile is as stupid as telling Debbie Wardley she couldn't fly because of her gender. Flying y-class isn't fun for anyone, try it while being conscious of your size (genetically determined) and the fact your sitting next to some judgemental wee person!

I think this is a bit of a overreaction. When I have to lean into the aisle because some guy is taking the space I've paid to use, I'm not judging that person for being fat, and we are taking about a fat unhealthy person here not a tall fit healthy person. It is simple an observation of the fact that they are large and they are taking my space. That situation annoys me greatly.

Even if someone was a tall healthy person if they take my space that annoys me. If their elbow is constantly resting in my ribs that annoys me. I don't judge someone for their physical characteristics, being as those are unavoidable. But I will judge them for impacting on my space. This is avoidable, because there is the option to buy a spare seat in economy, at least in Australia. Is it bad that someone has been born with a large frame, no of course not. But that is their cross and I don't see why I have to carry it. I've paid for my seat, if that space is being stolen good intentions are worth nothing to me.

 

[Westozi]

Last year I had a 9 hour flight on an international route with another airline. The three people in front of me and my husband were Mum, Dad & Grandma with a little baby. When the baby went to sleep they naturally took the opportunity to lay back their seats and get some shuteye whilst the little one was asleep. Unfortunately for me I had a grossly obese passenger behind me who rudely pushed my seat upright when I went to lay back for a snooze after dinner. I usually only push my seat back halfway as I don't like people in my face. However this person did not like that and twice pushed my seat upright. I finally got annoyed and pushed my seat back anyway. For the rest of the flight this ignorant man slammed his tray up and down and thumped the back of my seat constantly. I think obese passengers should be made to pay for a second seat. The Queen Mary 11 found obese passengers were breaking their deck chairs and I believe they now make overweight passengers pay an extra fare to cover this loss.

 

[ronagoh]

The Queen Mary 11 found obese passengers were breaking their deck chairs and I believe they now make overweight passengers pay an extra fare to cover this loss.

That's funny!!! Is it really true? Can't believe they are made to pay for deck chairs of all things!! :mrgreen:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im "Fat" anyone who has met me will know that I was really quite fat, I have dropped 20 kg and my BMI tells me that I am still Fat (Obese) I dont need anyone to tell me that I am a scary proposition when heading down the aisle toward them. you can see the "OMG is he sitting next to me" looks.

That's not true!! I've met you!! (And can confirm I had no issues whatsoever sitting next to you for an hour! )

 

[wooley]

Just to add another story in... I know an individual who is over 7 foot (2.15m) ...he has to duck to walk down the aisle, and would love an exit row, except from his past experiences they've generally been occupied by the much more deserving 5 foot tall individuals or the elderly, or even a couple of times he's been classified as a hazard due to his height... While I feel sorry for him, there's nothing funnier than seeing him walk through the plane with his ear glued to his shoulder and then his knees wrapped around his ears while seated.

As you can imagine... He avoids flying like the plague.