[Kenyar]

i wanted to post this before i went to bed.
there was a large woman on the flight i was on returning to NY from FL. and the person seated next to her complained about her size and made a HUGE scene in front of the entire plane before she even attempted to sit dwon next to him. being that this was my first time flying, i realized just how small the seats are. the entire arrangement is just uncomfortable to begin with but to be large and have to be in this type of seating...i dunno. i weighed 270 lbs before and eventhough i wasnt "that big" (as people CONSTANTLY say ) i wouldnt have fit in the seat comfortably this woman was close to 400 lbs. there was just no way this lady was going to fit and not affect the other people in the row.
i gave up my seat. the one next to me was empty so i just got up and told her come on and that was it. i felt TERRIBLE for her and embarassed. but i understood. im curious as to why there are not accomodations for heavy people. they accomodate senior citizens and people who are "disabled" why are people just plain mean to people who are fat?

what made me sick was that no one DID anything. they just all stared. i dont understand people...

[DocSanae]

No offense, but, I think a lot of airlines ask oveweight people to pay for two seats if they think you won't fit into the seat.
Most of this probably has to do with the cost performance of flying.
It is mortifying for those who are large, but since planes go against nature/gravity, there's a limit to the total weight that can become airborne, and air fuel is costly. Looking at the business side of things, cost performance and such, the more people the plane can carry at the same total weight, the more income per flight...
First class/business class seats are larger than economy class, but even with first class seats, a 400 lb person wouldn't fit.
If the airlines could charge per lb, then they probably wouldn't mind preparing seats according to size, but charging airfare in that way would seem discriminatory for many people. However, remember, if your luggage is over a certain amount of weight, they will charge you for the extra, or ask you to make your luggage lighter so it is within the limit.
The accomodations for the elderly and disabled are just difference in services--wheel chairs, assisstance, and such, which doesn't affect the flight performance of the plane. Weight does, unfortunately, where flying is concerned. I remember that there was a ruckus some years back when certain airlines limited the weight of the flight attendants.

That said, the behavior of the person who set up the ruckus is despicable.

[Trulykath]

that's a shame....

[greensgirl19]

Good for you Kenya! It is sad how people can be. Did you guys talk at all during the flight? At least they had one person willing to help.

[jazzine]

Wow this is such a shame. I remember when I was heavier I was so uncomfortable in the airplane seat. I would always chose the window seat so my husband could sit in the middle seat next to me. This way I would just overcrowd him instead of a stranger. And then I would not get up to use the rest room the whole flight, regardless how long it took, in order not to have to try to get out from my row.

Did anyone see the movie "Why Did I Get Married" by Tyler Perry. The same thing happened to a woman in the movie. She was overweight and the guy sitting next to her complained and the flight attendant told her she had to pay for an extra seat or leave the plane.

The first time I had to ask for a seatbelt extension was the worst time for me I waited and waited because I was so embarrassed. I didn't want anyone to hear me, they would just think she is so big the seat belt don't even fit. It was horrible, mind you, my heaviest weight was 289. This woman must of felt so humiliated by the person who made the comotion. Thank you Kenya for helping her out. If I were her I would not even know how to thank you. You were the only one who helped. ONE person out of all the people on the plane cared enough. Thanks.

[judijo]

Kenyar, God just placed you on a higher rung of Heaven's ladder, girlfriend.

I haven't flown in YEARS because planes are so small and uncomfortable (let alone the falling from the sky and crashing 10 feet into the ground, turning the plane and all the contents into a large can of Spam).

I do understand that, being the size I am, if I really needed to fly somewhere, I would expect to either fly first class (much larger seats up there) or buy two seats.

I was given crap in a Pink Floyd concert, about 50 lbs ago, about my size in an already crowded Rose Bowl. I squeezed myself into a local theater production of "Grease", and was thankful I had friends on both sides of me. I sat there stuck for 2 hours, with my hands crossed over my chest, so my friends would have more room.

Amtrak has spacious seats. More peaceful ride, too.

[antbunni]

I think some people are just ignorant, and don't think of others before they speak. With that said Kenya, you have done your good deed for the year... way to go!

[PJspeach]

Kenya, you are so sweet and caring. It was great of you to help her out in an embarressing moment.

[qt82699]

that really saddens me too, because i can relate

[clancythecamper]

Thank goodness you were where you were. She had no idea you understood ~ coz look at you now I remember sitting in smaller seats sorta sideways just to fit. Absolutely hated fixed arms on chairs, esp in doctor's office ironically!!!!