I used to love flying when I was younger. I grew up in Alaska with family in Texas, Indiana, and new Mexico. Flew all over the country, regularly. Flew intermittently through my 20s for business and vacations. For a number of reasons, I hadn't flown since before 9/11 so my business trip this week has been my first foray on a plane with the tsa nonsense and the whole carry on luggage nonsense.

I now hate flying. And it's only partially because the plane seats are so freaking tiny. 17" across... I looked it up. That's nuts. And not just for wide loads like me... most athletic men have broader shoulders than that. No way to have any speck of personal space. I'll lose weight after the surgery and not have to squeeze my butt and thighs into a seat, but it's not going to make me any shorter or do much about my shoulder width. My knees were touching the seat in front of me and the head rest was in my shoulders.

And that's not even considering the dammed tsa. That was a nightmare. I will be fixing my name on my passport and getting pre check as soon as humanly possible when I get home. I also think I'm checking a bag next time, because trying to pack for a week business trip in a roller is just nuts.

I'm not sure where I was going with this, but needed to rant somewhere. It was a miserable airport and flight experience, I don't care for hotel stays, and I get to endure the airport and flight again tomorrow. Geez.

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Definitely sign up for pre-check, that is about the best $80 I ever spent. Also, make sure you join the frequent flyer program of every airline you fly on. Enrolling in pre-check doesn't guarantee you'll get pre-check status for every flight, and being in the frequent flyer program really increases your odds on that front.

My biggest fear has always been not fitting the seat belts has never happened to me. (Likely because I won't fly because of it.) I fit in car seat belts just fine even better now. I just seen that walk of shame to many times on planes to make it worse they are bright orange! I think the whole thing is discrimination against fat people maybe we should bound together and fight the seat and buckle sizes. That goes for restaurant booths as well! Sure we are getting our skinny on!! but what about the other people who can't maybe afford surgery.

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I didn't need an extender, but it was a near thing. It's sad when a greyhound bus is more comfortable than a plane.

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I used to have to buy a second seat whenever I flew. Asking for a seat belt extender was the least of my problems! When I get tempted by sweets and nutrition-free carby foods now I make myself remember exactly how it felt when I had to explain to ticket agents and flight attendants that I was boarding with an "extra seat." Ugh!

I have to say that one of my most amazing NSVs was flying down to my nephew's wedding just over 2 months after surgery and not needing the extender AND being able to lower the tray table to its appropriate position. It was so hard not to share the excitement with the flight attendant and my seat mates!

I feel your pain. One of my last flights was international to Israel from Atlanta. I was already sick, didn't fit the seat, and had broken flaps for me to lean my head on to sleep. It was a miserable flight.

pam

My sister swiped the seat belt extender oh...about two years ago. Now she doesn't have to ask for one as she brings it with her when she flies. I know it doesn't address the root issue of her obesity, but I still thought it was a novel way of dealing with the embarrassment of having to ask for one.

My sister swiped the seat belt extender oh...about two years ago. Now she doesn't have to ask for one as she brings it with her when she flies. I know it doesn't address the root issue of her obesity, but I still thought it was a novel way of dealing with the embarrassment of having to ask for one.

I have a problem with people who think stealing is a solution for embarrassment.

My sister swiped the seat belt extender oh...about two years ago. Now she doesn't have to ask for one as she brings it with her when she flies. I know it doesn't address the root issue of her obesity, but I still thought it was a novel way of dealing with the embarrassment of having to ask for one.

You can also just buy one instead of stealing.

You can also just buy one instead of stealing.

...But then she would have to actually admit she's obese...and we all know how strong denial is.

I haven't flown in about 10 years, and I too had to have an extender and had a second seat. But I also had the joy of being told I couldn't sit near the emergency exit. My friend said to the airline chick, " if this plane went down, I'd definitely. Want her to open the door". It was humiliating..the staff on that plane had no empathy.

But, I'm flying again in 2 weeks, and there will be no extender, or second seat! Post 6 months..1 goal down! ????

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That would be a potential NSV if I flew often.

Last time was about 5 years ago and we had to hop on a puddle hopper to get to the airport near Ft Drum NY. It was about a 45 minute flight and hubby had gotten two front row seats. I thought great, more leg room - WRONG!

I sat against the window and to not only squeeze my behind into the seat but I also had to sit with my head cocked to an angle because of the curve of the plane itself. It was a miserable trip.

One of the things I like about flying on Southwest is you can choose your seatmates. One of the things I don't like is the idocy of people in the C group who don't realize sitting next to a person with big shoulders is dumb. Fair warning, if you have a choice and you still sit next to me, your picture will be posted on social media, just saying.

LMAO OKCPirate!! Hilarious ????