Question From Broad Shouldered Passenger

July 4, 2010

in Portly Stories

All – this is not a story, but a question to all of you kind souls…

This has to do with size. I am 6’1″ and 280lbs. However, I fit in the seat and I prefer the arm rests down. I never need a seat belt extender, but my shoulders are 2 -3″ wider than the seat back of any economy and some first class seats (older planes). I am courteous and usually sit with my arms crossed to try and not intrude into other passenger’s space, at least to the extent physically possible. I prefer aisle seats (obviously) and I fly a lot (almost 1 million miles on one airline and 600K on a different one).

The question – should I be required to purchase a second seat? Am I obese, fat, and disgusting just because I have a wide back and shoulders? I see a lot of posts about people complaining about the portly spilling over the arm rests, but nothing on this subject.

Thanks!

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

jennifer July 4, 2010 at 7:41 pm

Easy- if I'm sitting next to you, you need to make sure that it's never necessary for you to be touching me. If it's impossible for you to fly without having your shoulder butted up against any part of my body, then, yes, you need two seats. All parts of your body should remain in the confines of your seat, if your shoulders encroach into my seat area, then I have a problem.

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MM July 5, 2010 at 12:38 am

As a fellow broad-shouldered guy–6'2", 200 in my case–I can sympathize with this issue.

I am in no way obese. When I'm joined, though, by another of my broad-shouldered (not wide-gutted) brethren, quarters can get tight. However, under normal circumstances I am in no-one's way and have never felt obligated to even think about a second seat.

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Darryl July 5, 2010 at 12:11 pm

I agree with Jennifer, as long as you do not intrude on another passenger's paid space you are fine. Airlines's have to give more room and wider seats in 3rd class ( I call coach 3rd class because lets face it , we have 1st class then Business class, so obviously economy or coach is 3rd). I haven't figured-out yet where the recent Premium Economy class falls yet. Maybe now when you book a coach/economy seat you are really booking 4th class? Give me feedback on this.

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AKM July 6, 2010 at 2:31 am

"a question to all of you kind souls…"

Have you been on this site? Have you read the comments? There are no kind souls in troll-land.

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Kyle April 2, 2011 at 2:37 am

Yes all you will receive is arrogance, and nastiness. people tend to be horrid and can make a normal comment bed. Want a example just say yours (please note im not trying to offend anyone just show how the majority on this site view things, plus i sympathise for you since i am really tall 6 foot.). : " Its obvious the author is a obnoxious horrible person, because he is entering my space! We all pay equal price tickets so why should he steel my space! (and then) LOSE WEIGHT FAT ASS (when you just said your not even fat!). See that is how comments are mostly written.

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Bob July 6, 2010 at 8:30 am

Lets see, I am 6' 1" and 250 lbs. and I am in great physical condition except my ass is about a foot wider than "normal", I don't need a seat belt extender or six bag lunches . I always try to keep my ass in my aisle seat however it is 6-8 inches wider than the seat so it invariably bloops out on my fellow passengers, am I a bad guy or am I simply to sensitive to travel by commercial airliner ? I just don't see the problem with rubbing my body on other passengers, after all it isn't my fault I was born with a freakishly large ass and everyone loves fat people because they are jolly so why don't they love my giant ass rubbing on them for the entire flight? Just saying.

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Eric July 18, 2010 at 6:02 am

Two words: "Cargo Hold".

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ATL August 11, 2010 at 5:17 am

You have a million miles!!! Why dont you upgrade to first class?!?!?!?!

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Kyle April 2, 2011 at 2:38 am

Question: Can one flight be worth one million miles, cause to get that one million miles he needed to fly a lot, so if he upgrades will he have enough points to last him for that period.

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Karl August 11, 2010 at 6:53 am

Bob, if I should be so unlucky to sit next to you and 8 " of your fat ass occupies 1/2 of my 16 " wide seat then I demand you pay 1/2 of my ticket before you plant yourself. Only cash accepted. Otherwise remove your blubber and I don't care where you put your bacon – not on my seat.

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Bob August 11, 2010 at 9:20 am

Dearest Karl, Being the incredible intellect that you obviously are may I direct your attention to Websters colligiate dictionary. If you turn to the section that starts with a great big "S" and proceed alphabetically you will arrive at a funny sounding word that is spelled s-a-r-c-a-s-m. Please read and then re-read the definition. I am confident that you will eventually get it. Carry on and good luck with your english 101 assignment.

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Kelly September 23, 2010 at 2:40 pm

If you can sit in your seat and not touch me, I'm fine with it. Even though I prefer the aisle seat, I will be happy to trade a tall person for the window seat if they ask. I'd rather do that then have them sitting with their legs spread and have both shoulders and knees all over me.

Also, make sure you wear some light cologne and brush your teeth. That makes me a lot more reasonable too.

And maybe offer me some gum, but don't chew yours really loudly.

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Kiri the Can Opener February 1, 2011 at 11:23 pm

I'm with you except for the cologne. Anything more than a lightly scented deodorant shouldn't be on a plane.

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