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

[Deleted member 29185]

I now know this as fact, as I was seated next to it on my flight this morning.

Sheesh, is it expecting too much to think I might be entitled to occupy all the seat allocated without being lost in the rolling swells of mohair covered blubber that was enveloping me? To make matters worse, said beast had oversized carry on that wouldn't fit in the overhead locker so it was shoved under the seat in front of him which meant his tree trunk sized left leg had me pinned to the side of the airborne tin can and I have no idea where the arm rest disappeared to, but I bet it would have preferred the Bermuda triangle! It would have been quite a laugh for any seagull flying by and looking in, to see me, face flattened against the window, glasses bent and buckled, sheer terror leaping from my eyeballs and my trusty Cairns snorkel firmly in place being my only source of oxygen. At least sasquatch didn't smell as per the rumours.

I wonder if I'm legally entitled to counselling? Maybe I should report this on the "Medico in flight" thread to get both medical and legal advice! :mrgreen:

 

[TomVexille]

I am a firm believer that you should be allowed the entire width of your seat.

I do believe that WN have a good policy for this situation that other airlines should copy.

 

[Revolio]

Virgin? (but possibly not row 3)

 

[Mattg]

Sounds horrible. How long was the flight?

 

[blackcat20]

Worst nightmare.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Virgin? (but possibly not row 3)

No, not VA.

Sounds horrible. How long was the flight?

2.5 hours and without a lie, that was the worst experience of my flying life! My back is still sore.

 

[samh004]

... and I have no idea where the arm rest disappeared to, but I bet it would have preferred the Bermuda triangle!

You have a way with words!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You are entitled to the full space allocated to your seat.

Did you ask the crew to be moved?

 

[amaroo]

I love it when a fatty walks past my seat.

 

[bismarck]

I absolutely loathe this.

I quite like the window, and as a taller fellow prefer to select the exit row (obviously not able to go further forward typically as a low status member)

But I'm increasingly seated next to someone who invades half my seat space and just makes the entire flight so unpleasant.

 

[medhead]

Had a delayed flight the other week when another passenger basically refused to fly, I gather from such an issue. Left the flight and I think they took points to upgrade him. I was in 1F so just saw the discussion at the front door and various comings and goings.

 

[vetrade]

Yep, time we had a frame for over-size passengers right next to the one for checking if your carry-on luggage is within acceptable limits. Anyone who can't fit through the frame could be required to pay for an oversize seat (which the airlines will eventually have to install anyway). Everything's "user pays" these days and space occupied on a plane shouldn't be any different. Having your personal (and paid for) space invaded by an obese passenger just isn't on. The more often affected people complain and refuse to just accept it, the quicker airlines will be forced to find a solution.

 

[Revolio]

Yep, time we had a frame for over-size passengers right next to the one for checking if your carry-on luggage is within acceptable limits. Anyone who can't fit through the frame could be required to pay for an oversize seat (which the airlines will eventually have to install anyway). Everything's "user pays" these days and space occupied on a plane shouldn't be any different. Having your personal (and paid for) space invaded by an obese passenger just isn't on. The more often affected people complain and refuse to just accept it, the quicker airlines will be forced to find a solution.

When your size exceeds the seat, the excess has to go somewhere. Either onto your fellow traveller(s), or the aisle, or both. Not fair all round.

 

[medhead]

There is a solution called buying a comfort seat. Large passengers just need to learn to do that.

 

[TomVexille]

There is a solution called buying a comfort seat. Large passengers just need to learn to do that.

Southwest actually enforces this at check-in or the gate. But will refund the second seat if the flight is not full and there is a spare seat.

 

[Revolio]

Southwest actually enforces this at check-in or the gate. But will refund the second seat if the flight is not full and there is a spare seat.

Sensible. I've seen a 1.75 seat passenger literally swallow the timid guy next to him and block a 1/3 of the aisle when there were spare seats elsewhere on a SYD-CBR recently. No action taken. Virgin needs to consider all passengers.

 

[Pushka]

We went to a Billy Connelly concert a few years ago. An obese person literally took up half MrP's seat. There was nothing we could do as it was a packed house. But maybe Karma. Billy, being a matchstick spent 20 minutes on a skit about fat people taking over other people's space. We ALMOST felt bad for the obese person Billy seemed to be talking about.

 

[artemis]

Surely airlines take into account the mass of their pax. Sure one or two amply-proportioned people may not make a difference on larger aircraft, but what about on regional aircraft (where obesity is the norm)?

It seems strange that they care so much about cabin baggage weights and sizes and not the size of the person. I know it's a sensitive subject, but it could be managed proactively with some tact. Just an alert on their future bookings.

I sometimes wonder how these ginormous people feel when they have to wedge themselves into small chairs with armrests, or spill over onto their neighbour. It's probably not fair that airlines have so little in the way to prevent embarrassment and discomfort for either the sitter or the sittee!

And I wonder how the distribution of body shape changes between airlines?

 

[medhead]

Load weight is based on population averages which take into account a couple of large people. Load weight is not the issue in this thread. The issue is the large person stealing other passenger's space.

I once tried sending feedback to VA that they should mark the card of a particular passenger. They were not at all interested. Just gave me a complete fob off in response.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Surely airlines take into account the mass of their pax. Sure one or two amply-proportioned people may not make a difference on larger aircraft, but what about on regional aircraft?

I fly about 50 or so sectors a year where all loads are weighed, including all pax. At 8000ft they have to be careful to get the weight correct or they don't get off the ground...even with a ski jump runway.

That's about 1200m and at the end of the jump, you're in the clouds!