Flying? New brochure offers travel tips for passengers of size

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   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   Flying? New brochure offers travel tips for passengers of size
   By Harriet Baskas, msnbc.com contributor
   
   Plus-size fliers have a slim new tool to help them get from here to there.
   
   A downloadable, four-page brochure titled “Travel Tips for People of Size” offers tips for packing, booking flights, choosing seats, traveling to and through airports and getting on and off airplanes. A description of each airline's passengers-of-size policy is included, along with recommendations for ways that travel agents can help a passenger of size have a comfortable flying experience.
   
   “Airline travel, in particular, is such a hot topic for fat people,” said Peggy Howell, spokeswoman for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). “Some have mobility issues and the trip from the curb to the gate is daunting. Some people are concerned that they may not be able to move quickly enough to make connecting flights. And we often get questions about which airlines have policies regarding the purchase of two seats.”
   http://travelkit.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 … rs-of-size
   
   Is this a good idea? There are many who don't think of themselves are "passengers of size".
   
   If you've ever had to sit next to a large person who takes up half your seat,I think the new regulations are in order.
   
   It may save some from embarrassment at the gate

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      Ramsa1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "People of size"? Really! Why not call it what it is - overweight, obese people whose flab intrude into your space. I once had a fat, young woman with the sniffles sitting next to me on a four hour flight. Such people need to develop some pride in themselves.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, we all know people without an ounce of extra weight are better human beings...

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            habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            +1

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   javeaspainposted 11 years ago

   I have to say I dislike any such measures against "people of size" ... yes it can be annoying to be seated next to a fat person - or a kid, or someone with a cold, or someone who just ate garlic, or someone who forgot to put on deodorant etc etc. But, making rules and regulations for every annoyance we ever encounter doesnt really make the world a better place - just a less tolerant one.

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   If the person doesn't fit in their seat I feel it is more a practical issue. Personally if I am spending 20 hours on a plane, as I do fairly often, I want the whole seat that I paid for. So I think it is reasonable that if a person needs two seats they be given two seats rather than part of mine.

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   paxwillposted 11 years ago

   It's not about shaming fat people, it's about preventing problems before they arise.  Many large people have the self-awareness to realize that they need two seats, but unfortunately, many others do not. These people cause disruptions when they can't fit into their seat, which in the back of their minds they probably knew was going to happen. Plan ahead.
   
   It think some overweight people take this too personally, it's not personal, it's just a matter of practicality. Airplane seats are cramped for average sized people too, we're all suffering together.

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      Randy Godwinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Throw a screaming child or two into the mix and enjoy your flight! 
      
      

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         paxwillposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I'd rather have a fat person spilling over into my personal space than sit by a 100 decibel, 15 pound ball of terror.
         
         In any case, many airlines publish their seat dimensions on their website.  I think most are around 18 inches wide.  Armed with this valuable information, all you have to do is measure your ass at home.  If it's wider than say 24 inches, you're probably going to have a problem.

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