The travails of tubby travellers
I was much taken by this article that appeared yesterday
The picture, posted on an aviation blog, was reportedly taken by a flight attendant to illustrate to airline managers the difficulty of dealing with passengers who cannot fit into seats
It is unclear if the man was aware his picture was being taken or whether the flight, on US carrier American Airlines, took off with the passenger spilling out of his seat
However, having followed the story back to its source, its not so much the story that becomes interesting, so much as two of the comments.
First up we have Jim: The overhead monitor does make it look like a 757, but I don't remember American putting Recaro seats on their 757's.
& the reply from Anon: Jim, Those are not the Recaro seats. Those are the Weber seats. Which are currently being removed and replaced on 118 aircraft with new Weber seats. The Recaro coach seats were only ever installed on 77 737-800's, the MD-80 Fleet (non TWA) and the 777-200's.
You can tell by the tray table latch which on the Recaro is a half moon shape. In this picture it is half a rounded square.
Move over train spotters, I think that we might just have found King Spod
Comments
Why hasn't he been made to buy a second fare?
He is endangering other passengers by hanging his ass into the aisle like that.
Buy two seats, and fold the arm up out of the way. Or lose some weight.
Posted by: Kristopher | December 1, 2009 7:59 AM
Because Kristopher, that would be "fatist" or some other such nonsense & the airline would get sued for discrimination ...& before anyone asks, yes they have been.
Hang the lawyers now!
Posted by: Mr Free Market | December 1, 2009 8:08 AM
ROFL...I believe the term is lardassist?
ANd, man would I love to have a beer with Jim and Anon...I bet they are a laugh a minute!
Posted by: Dennis | December 1, 2009 4:23 PM
Dennis - I don't reckon I'd stay awake long enough to drink the beer!
Posted by: Bruce | December 1, 2009 5:01 PM
The pilot must have the stick cranked all the way over to the left just to keep level.
Maybe someone over inflated the autopilot (anyone remember Airplane?)
Posted by: MovingRight | December 1, 2009 9:22 PM
I always feel better about my own fat ass when I see pics like that. And yes, even though I get a RCOB when people start making "fat" jokes, this guy deserves them.
And yes, people of this tonnage should be required to buy two seats.
Although knowing American Airlines, the seats would probably end up being on opposite sides of the aisle.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | December 2, 2009 2:59 PM
Okay, taking this literally, why would the plane even be allowed to take off? As per FAA (USA) regulations, he needs to be in a seat, strapped in, etc. The morbid obesity aside, the liability on the airlines is making their insurance company actuaries have fits.
Posted by: Cricket | December 3, 2009 2:05 PM
The track back link is broken.
Original article here: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusual-attitude/2009/11/passenger-creates-big-debate-a.html
Apparently, the pile of lard was allowed to fly on a single seat ticket. The schlamazel in the middle seat flew on the next flight and got a voucher for his trouble.
Way wasn't he kicked off the plane and made to pay for a second seat when we have to pay extra for our overweight bags ?
Reverse discrimination, this is.
I'm dumping my AA stocks....
Posted by: Rich | December 7, 2009 10:20 PM