Obesity and paying for two seats.

[grits]

I have had people next to me that had their guts hang over the arm rest onto my lap.  It wasn't over my lap, it was on my lap.  I should NOT have to endure that. I shouldn't have your hair on me, your fat on me, and don't fall asleep with your head on my shoulder.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Perhaps I am somewhat influenced by an experience my BiL and his wife had last year flying back from a visit with their son at Fort Bragg. The guy next to him was absolutely filthy, and he stank. This is the first time I have ever heard of such an incident- probably because the cost of air travel tends to keep society's unfortunates on the ground. However in this case the guy was putrid to the point of causing nausea, and my BiL literally threw his coat away afterwards. BiL is a retired firefighter, not a Niles Crane, so he doesn't gross out easily.

I haven't.  There are certain nationalities of people that do not believe in liberal use of showers and deodorants.  These ar e not poor people either.

We had a lab uprising when one prominent scientist working with us stunk us out.  When he left, his lab chair got tossed.

[Deleted]

I hate when people put their seats back too. When it's an obese person, I feel bad for them because they are really feeling the pressure from other passengers. Kinda like their obese ness usually only affected them and now they are really embarrassed cause they can't fit in a seat.

The recliner thing is just inconsiderate. I have never reclined my chair cause I think it's rude to the person behind you.

[sesfw]

My sympathies lie with the person who wrote the letter

Just once I had the middle seat between two people that spilled over.  Didn't have the nasty smells though.  It was only an hour flight so I didn't need to use the restroom.  Had I gotten up for any reason I'm not sure I would have had a seat to return to.

I know most people buy their tickets on line but when they check in they should be required to sit in a sample seat.  If they hang over sideways should be required to purchase the adjoining seat if it's available.

Thinking back I wonder if the attendants would have moved me to another seat had I complained.  Maybe first class?  LOL

[billisonboard]

Help Wanted

Comfort Airlines

We are looking for individuals to assess the ability of passengers to fit within the

confines of one seat and, if appropriate, inform them if they need to buy a second ticket.  Hospitalization plan provided.

[Miss Tequila]

Jan 1, 2014 11:14:39 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

Of course you can put your seat back. At 5'9" I'm not freakishly tall. I'm just saying that action probably causes more discomfort to more people than the few excessively overweight people on board, and I'm thrilled airlines are removing the recline option as they redesign their seats.  Problem solved.

I'm 5'8" and I have no problems with the seats.

[grits]

I am tall and skinny.  If the seat in front of my fully reclines, I will be jammed in at the chest, and abdominal level.  I can see the dandruff on the person's scalp.

A big pet peeve of mine is people not making their children mind. I was in the aisle seat on one flight. After a kid across the aisle hit me for the 4th time, I glared at the parent, and the embarrassed parent changed seats with the kid.  Also, people stop letting your demon possessed kids kick the back of other peoples seats.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I can't remember the exact quote, but it was from "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley.  It was the chapter where the creature met with Dr. Frankenstein to outline his demands (a female creature like him).  If his demands were not met, the creature vowed to go on killing.  At any rate, the passage essentially asked:

You ask me why I'm so horrible to people.  Has one person ever shown me one bit of kindness?  Why should I treat people any better than they treat me?

It's a two-way street.  I could not be rude to someone who spilled out of their seat or smelled badly. I'm not saying I wouldn't be highly annoyed, because I would be.  I just couldn't hurt someone like that. On the other hand, why is that person's rudeness acceptable?  Because that is what it is.  Failing to purchase the room you need without inflicting discomfort on others is, to me, a matter of plain courtesy. 

We all know that all obese people aren't obese because of failings.  We all also know that not all people who smell badly don't bathe.  Some have medical issues.  Would we be as impolite and demanding of a person who, for example, was paralyzed?

A little kindness from both sides would go a long way.

[gooddecisions]

Jan 1, 2014 15:03:00 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Jan 1, 2014 11:14:39 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

Of course you can put your seat back. At 5'9" I'm not freakishly tall. I'm just saying that action probably causes more discomfort to more people than the few excessively overweight people on board, and I'm thrilled airlines are removing the recline option as they redesign their seats.  Problem solved.

I'm 5'8" and I have no problems with the seats.

Maybe you have a longer torso. My point is lots of people do selfish things on a plane that causes discomfort for others- whether they know it or not. If the airline doesn't force an excessively overweight person to buy two seats, then they are just doing what they are allowed- same as people who recline their seats, kids who kick the back of chairs, people who stink, people who have loud conversations, people who clog the limited overhead space with personal items and plenty of other rude behavior. Somebody clipped, filed and then painted their finger nails right next to me once. I try to be part of a polite society so I don't say anything regarding anybody's rude behavior.

The excessively obese person has the least control over anyone, so as long as they're not being rude in other ways- I will have some compassion.

[grits]

I have never been rude to anyone who sat next to me but I do think it is extremely rude for them to plop it down on me. If it can hang all the way over the armrest, and down onto me, they can indeed move their fat off my lap. In fact, an inch closer, and it would have been way too personal for me keep quiet.

[billisonboard]

"Okay you are good to go with a one seat only ticket. You may now proceed to TSA security checking."