Should large people have to buy two airplane seats for themselves?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Side note--I think the recline function should be disabled. It's not like you really get into sleeping position anyway. Or, there should be a 5-hour period where it's allowed or something, and only on night-flights.

You don't have much of a choice if you're sat in the back bulkhead. Wife and I got stuck with that when we flew out to NJ. The family of 3 in front of us were all overweight and all of them put their seats all the way back. The dad snored too..

[derekkj 0]

Side note--I think the recline function should be disabled. It's not like you really get into sleeping position anyway. Or, there should be a 5-hour period where it's allowed or something, and only on night-flights.

Or you could try these. But it may cause more problems than it's worth!

http://www.kneedefender.com/html2/buy2.htm

[Alex+R 0]

Side note--I think the recline function should be disabled. It's not like you really get into sleeping position anyway. Or, there should be a 5-hour period where it's allowed or something, and only on night-flights.

You don't have much of a choice if you're sat in the back bulkhead. Wife and I got stuck with that when we flew out to NJ. The family of 3 in front of us were all overweight and all of them put their seats all the way back. The dad snored too..

How does their being overweight contribute to the problem?

[JenT 0]

Knee Defenders. Wow.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

As a farily tall guy (6' 1") I've always been paranoid about my toes (I take shoes off on long flights) being pinched by the recliner-hinge...

Side note--I think the recline function should be disabled. It's not like you really get into sleeping position anyway. Or, there should be a 5-hour period where it's allowed or something, and only on night-flights.

You don't have much of a choice if you're sat in the back bulkhead. Wife and I got stuck with that when we flew out to NJ. The family of 3 in front of us were all overweight and all of them put their seats all the way back. The dad snored too..

How does their being overweight contribute to the problem?

When you have to step around the guy who's half out in the aisle to get to the restroom.

[derekkj 0]

Knee Defenders. Wow.

I would not be suprised if a few airlines didn't ban them. I can only imagine the "discussions" that could occur between recliner and reclinee!

Personally I am with Alex on this. Either seats shouldn't recline at all or should only reline a very little bit. There is nothing worse than being able to do dental work on the person in front of you because they have reclined to the point where their heads are basically in your lap.

[Alex+R 0]

There is nothing worse than being able to do dental work on the person in front of you because they have reclined to the point where their heads are basically in your lap.

[BJZags 17]

What has irritated me in the past is when "tall" people to the back of me complain when I recline my seat. They seem to think because I'm barely over 5-foot, I should be forced to chew-on the back of the guys neck in front of me who has reclined his seat so that I can preserve their "knee-room" since I "obviously" don't need any of my own.

[SqdnGuns 21]

Knee Defenders. Wow.

I would not be suprised if a few airlines didn't ban them. I can only imagine the "discussions" that could occur between recliner and reclinee!

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was asked about the use of Knee Defenders™ on commercial aircraft. As reported in the October 28, 2003 edition of The Washington Post, "FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto said the clips were not against federal aviation rules as long as they weren't used during taxiing, takeoffs or landings." Knee Defenders™ are specifically designed to be used with your tray table lowered, while your tray table must be up and locked "during taxiing, takeoffs or landings." So, as long as Knee Defenders™ are being used as they are designed to be used in flight, their use does not violate any US aviation law, rule, or regulation.

[JenT 0]

Knee Defenders. Wow.

I would not be suprised if a few airlines didn't ban them. I can only imagine the "discussions" that could occur between recliner and reclinee!

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was asked about the use of Knee Defenders™ on commercial aircraft. As reported in the October 28, 2003 edition of The Washington Post, "FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto said the clips were not against federal aviation rules as long as they weren't used during taxiing, takeoffs or landings." Knee Defenders™ are specifically designed to be used with your tray table lowered, while your tray table must be up and locked "during taxiing, takeoffs or landings." So, as long as Knee Defenders™ are being used as they are designed to be used in flight, their use does not violate any US aviation law, rule, or regulation.

I'm sure Paul Takemoto did not consult with the flight attendants who would be the beneficiaries of the 'bad vibes' that would be caused by this product, assuming that the reclinee knew why his/her seat back was not reclining.

[JenT 0]

My personal airline pet peeve is elbow space.... seems like the first person to get to the seat clams all of the elbow rests. I've been unfortunate enough to be sandwiched in the center seat between 2 very large people who have claimed all of the elbow space...

I am traveling so much now that I generally get upgraded to first class, so I can't complain. But when I have to fly coach, I make sure I board as soon as I can to 'claim my space', not only in my seat, but in the nearest overhead bin. It's ridiculous.

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't think it's a fair comparison to ask the obese to stop being obese in the same way smokers can stop being smokers.

The idea was to ask the obese to pay more, not to stop being obese.

I don't find it particularly unfair either. The obese already spend more money on food,

clothes, doctor appointments and prescription drugs amongst other things. Why not

plane tickets also?

[aya*abouelnasr 0]

Okay, imagine this scenario.

The airlines have decided that they must make X amount of dollars profit for each flight.

You want to go to ?????? to see your SO, so you go online and purchase a ticket. On the day of your flight, you travel to the airport, check in and board the plane. You notice the plane is not full and there are plenty of empty seats, including the one next to you. Great! More room for you to relax in on your 14 hour flight. Right?

Then suddenly the pilot's voice comes over the PA system.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, We regret to inform you that because BFE Airlines Flight#360, is not full to it's capacity, everyone must pay an extra fee. Based on our calculations, the extra fee will be $XXXX.XX. An agent of BFE Air will be coming to each of you to collect the fees, please have your credit card ready. For those of you unable to pay the increased fee, you will be escorted off of the plane and you will be notified by mail where and when you can retrieve your luggage. We regret to inform you that none of your ticket purchase price will be refunded to you. BFE takes no resonsibility for the fact that the seats on this flight were not filled. For those of you able to pay the increased fee, We at BFE Airlines wish you a pleasant flight"

I would also like to say that maybe the "obese" person you are sitting next to, isn't any more comfortable sitting next to you than you are to him. I have seen other people on flights request to move to another seat. The flght was full, but with a few words from the staff, the problem was remedied and everyone was happy.

[sereia 0]

i've never had an extremely large person sit next to me on a plane...

however, i have had people constantly kicking or nudging the back of my seat. people who talk extremely loud, and you name the other annoyance. but never someone who spilled over into mine. i imagine having someone constantly kick my seat would be far more annoying than someone who is slightly spilled into my side.

i've also had men who seem to need to stretch their knees wide open as far as they can to make room for their prize possession and into my space. thats just as annoying as i imagine a large person would be in your seat. so should men who spread their legs wide have to pay extra too? lol!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wonder if anyone would reconsider their position on this if they were stuck in a window seat on a 18 hour flight to Sydney, Australia with a 400lb Jabba the Hut sitting next to them who is crushing you against the window and takes an eternity to get up when you need to take a pi$$...