Question about Airplanes

**wannabethintoo** · June 29, 2006, 05:57 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Wow! I've never heard of that. They do that?

**lisaj** · June 29, 2006, 06:00 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

I have a couple girlfriends that i went on vacation with and they did not make them purchase 2nd seats. We flew america west. On the return flight, they even arranged seating so that the bigger of the two had empty seats around them. Never once said anything derogatory, were very helpful. The largest woman was at least 400 pounds. I would not worry about it.

**maribelle** · June 29, 2006, 07:53 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

America West? I'm going to go check their site now. Was this recently...as in the last two years?

**pladd04** · June 29, 2006, 08:08 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Maribelle, first off do you know who your flying with? and do you know if your family can get seats together? I can tell you that I fly alot on US Airways, I was 285 lbs and it took some doing but got the seatbelt around me and no one has ever asked me to purchase another seat. I can also tell you that I have seen other women ask for an extention for their seatbelt and US Airways provided them with one. I would call a couple of different airlines and ask before I book. Good luck and congrats on your weight loss so far.

**MotherOfGizmo** · June 29, 2006, 08:22 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Originally posted by wannabethintoo

Wow! I've never heard of that. They do that?

I used to work for the airlines, and yes they do that! The way they see it is that if you cannot fit into a seat and need two, then you are taking up a seat that they could sell to another ticketed passenger so you will be required to pay for that seat too. Now, that being said, we had a special rate for the second seat but only if you advised us at the time of booking that you needed the second seat, I believe it was full price for the first seat and 1/2 price for the second seat. But, if you didn't book it that way and just showed up at the airport then you would have to pay full price for the second seat.

I know it sounds mean but Airlines are running a business just like anyone else. Once a plane has left the ground any seat that was not sold is a lost commodity and can never be recovered.

Also, if you do fly you might want to tell them when you book that you may require a seatbelt extension to make sure that they have one available on your flight, they can't take off if you can't fasten the seatbelt and that would just draw more attention to you while they hold up the flight to go an locate one!

By the way, people also pay for second seats for things like musical instruments if you can believe that!

**MotherOfGizmo** · June 29, 2006, 08:23 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Originally posted by lisaj

I have a couple girlfriends that i went on vacation with and they did not make them purchase 2nd seats. We flew america west. On the return flight, they even arranged seating so that the bigger of the two had empty seats around them. Never once said anything derogatory, were very helpful. The largest woman was at least 400 pounds. I would not worry about it.

That's really cool, BUT what if the flight is sold out and there are no extra seats?

**Vampyre** · June 29, 2006, 06:04 PM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Southwest routinely asks larger customers to purchase a second seat. My BIL now purchases a second seat when he flys with them to avoid embarasment at the counter. He weighs over 400 lbs. He only flys with his thin wife who does not mind sharing a row with him, but they insist anyway. Most of the other airlines don't do this unless you honestly don't fit into a single seat. You know the seat belt the flight attendent uses to demonstrate how to use an airline seat belt? It's a belt extender. Quietly ask him or her for one when you board and most of them will just as quietly hand it to you before take off. Due to cutbacks with the different airlines, flights are routinely completely sold out or overbooked. It is very unlikely that you will see an empty seat on an airplane, much less sit next to one anymore.

**jeepgirl06** · June 29, 2006, 10:12 PM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Originally posted by MotherOfGizmo

I know it sounds mean but Airlines are running a business just like anyone else. Once a plane has left the ground any seat that was not sold is a lost commodity and can never be recovered.

Ya know, I keep thinking with the obesity rate continuing to climb and climb, pretty soon they're just gonna have to make bigger seats on planes for everyone and it would be a great day when they re-do the rides for Roller Coasters, which, they should anyway cuz they're barely made for any adult who's got a little curve as it is....

I'm not saying that the US should stay obese, but eventually if it doesn't stop, they're gonna have to do something.

**LC_Dave** · June 29, 2006, 11:35 PM

Re: Question about Airplanes

There is a tv show here in Australia that we watch called American Airlines or something, and it's all about the crazyness that happens in your busy airports.

I tell you what I feel for what you guys have to go through!

In Australia, the services is not great, but a lot better. QANTAS being the best. I've never had to pay for two seats.

So it puts me off visiting America from what I see.

The thing that a lot of us find funny and strange is when on the show:-

xyz passenger is not allowed to fly for some reason (usually the passengers fault) and they say: "They can't do that I'm an American Citizen".

We scratch our head and wonder - what the heck that has to do with anything! Especially when it's in the USA anyway - and you are all Americans.

LOL

MY fiancee and I, want to get married in Vegas, so I've gotta trim down so I don't have to pay for a second seat.

**Lady_Hawke** · June 30, 2006, 04:24 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

I flew last summer from Norway and wasn't charged for an extra seat anywhere along the line. I was travelling with my DS so we always had the arm rest up and when I booked I checked to make sure we were in the two seats to a row section.
You can always call the airline, take names with who you've spoken to - times and phone number you dialed - and ask.
SInce you are flying with your DH and DS in the same row - I don't think you'll have anything to worry about.
Good Luck and have a wonderful trip.
To check out the size of seats, if you know the airline and type of plane go to www.seatguru.com wonderful site that tells you how wide the seats are, what they have on the plane ect....

**jeepgirl06** · June 30, 2006, 06:06 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Originally posted by LC_Dave

So it puts me off visiting America from what I see.

The thing that a lot of us find funny and strange is when on the show:-

xyz passenger is not allowed to fly for some reason (usually the passengers fault) and they say: "They can't do that I'm an American Citizen".

We scratch our head and wonder - what the heck that has to do with anything! Especially when it's in the USA anyway - and you are all Americans.

Nice stereotyping. ( the show, not you)

**MotherOfGizmo** · June 30, 2006, 06:24 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

Originally posted by jeepgirl06

Ya know, I keep thinking with the obesity rate continuing to climb and climb, pretty soon they're just gonna have to make bigger seats on planes for everyone and it would be a great day when they re-do the rides for Roller Coasters, which, they should anyway cuz they're barely made for any adult who's got a little curve as it is....

I'm not saying that the US should stay obese, but eventually if it doesn't stop, they're gonna have to do something.

Yep, in fact most airlines have already increased the size of the seats from 15 years or so ago by a couple of inches. They make large size toilets and large size caskets as well!

**jeepgirl06** · June 30, 2006, 09:51 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

can they make larger size resin patio chairs like the ones restaraunts tend to use for the outside patio? I hate those things!

**pladd04** · June 30, 2006, 09:58 AM

Re: Question about Airplanes

OH I hate those chairs!! They always leave inprints on the back of my legs were my fat has pushed through Grrr...

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