Big A$$ and airplane seat woes

[Ang1982 4]

I am going to florida at the end of the month and previous to this trip never really concerned myself with how my butt will fit in the seats. The past two trips I have been on in planes (approx 2'ish years ago now) I had no concern about it, the seat belt fit and it wasn't super comfortable but I was in the seat trying to not invade my neighbours space as much as possible (i always try to get window so i can squish against it, or aisle if can't get window). I never worried about it then but I have heard that they are more strict about the "spilling over" now. Am I crazy to be worried/scared? I am probably either the same weight or slightly smaller than I was at the time of my last trip (probably slightly smaller). Currently I'm 284'ish lbs, 5'7 and about a size 24 pants.

Trying to not freak out but it's kinda worrying me....

[Daisalana 33]

I don't notice a difference. As of the beginning of this year, I'm finally not 'that person' who spills out.. and so now I became the person 'spilled on'. The last flight I had to NY & Back, one of them I was middle seat and both people on either side spilled onto my seat. I was pretty miserable, but I could sympathize. Another flight the guy was blatantly taking up 1/2 my seat (I was on the window, he was on the aisle) and he sprawled out, didn't even care about how uncomfortable he made me (I had to hug the window).. and the airlines didn't seem to care. This was only a month ago, so I don't think they are real strict. Even in my big big days, I was never told I had to get another seat or move.. I was just mortified for not fitting.

[Ang1982 4]

thanks girlie. It's funny that it never even crossed my mind before - even when I was at my heaviest but for some reason I am very apparent of it right now. i fully intend to make out with the wall (or aisle) for the entire trip lol, we will be inseperable.

[heartfire 4]

Ang,

When I flew (Alaska) to Seattle a couple of months ago, I was worried too. The first time I flew, a few years ago, I weighed 50lbs less. I got on Alaska's website and looked up their seats and they list how big they are and how long the belts are. I sat in a chair that was about the same width of the seat and brought a sewing tape measure (it's flexible vs. a regular tape measure) over my lap, like the belt would go, to see what kind of room I was going to have. I was fine and it made me feel better not having to worry about that on top of everything else (2 yr old DD was flying for the 1st time!).

I'm a good 4 inches shorter than you and was about 240 and I carry most of my weight in my tummy/butt, then thighs. Don't know if that helps at all.

Best wishes and hope you have a great trip!

[Ang1982 4]

Thanks for the suggestion about using a sewing measuring tape to double check seatbelt length, I wouldn't have thought of that but think I will do that tonight when I get home from work!

I am sure I will have a great trip despite all this! Thank you :smile:

Ang,

When I flew (Alaska) to Seattle a couple of months ago, I was worried too. The first time I flew, a few years ago, I weighed 50lbs less. I got on Alaska's website and looked up their seats and they list how big they are and how long the belts are. I sat in a chair that was about the same width of the seat and brought a sewing tape measure (it's flexible vs. a regular tape measure) over my lap, like the belt would go, to see what kind of room I was going to have. I was fine and it made me feel better not having to worry about that on top of everything else (2 yr old DD was flying for the 1st time!).

I'm a good 4 inches shorter than you and was about 240 and I carry most of my weight in my tummy/butt, then thighs. Don't know if that helps at all.

Best wishes and hope you have a great trip!

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

Ang

I had this problem when I flew. At one point I was a size 30 so flying killed me. Somethings that helped me were

1. Wear Spanx. As crazy as it sounds being tucked into those made me feel better! I always lost about 2" and that made a difference.

2. Try to get a seat near the exit door. They have more leg room which can help you feel better if your legs are in front of you.

I hope those help you some. Good luck! :smile:

[Ang1982 4]

Ang

I had this problem when I flew. At one point I was a size 30 so flying killed me. Somethings that helped me were

1. Wear Spanx. As crazy as it sounds being tucked into those made me feel better! I always lost about 2" and that made a difference.

2. Try to get a seat near the exit door. They have more leg room which can help you feel better if your legs are in front of you.

I hope those help you some. Good luck! :redface:

This is why I post stuff like this on here because you ladies are fantastic! I NEVER would have thought of the Spanx idea but that totally makes sense, I will be investing in some of those before the flight that's for sure. I have to go swimsuit shopping so I will check out to see if I can get spanx too. I went to our local (lame) plus store and they had all the "tankini" style swimwear which is fine cuz that's what I wanted except...they had NO bottoms...clearly not going to work.. lol.

[dazzle1 0]

Hi Ang1982

I too worried about not fitting into airplane seats. The last few times I flew I needed a seat belt extender and was so embarrassed to ask for it that I ended up cancelling a vacation since I had to take an airplane. I've used Airline Seating Charts, Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru website to check the width of various airplanes seats. They have quite an exhaustive list of airline complanies and categorize the info by type of plane so I always did my homework with the airplane websites to find out what kind of planes they used for that specific flight and then tried to chose a plane with extra wide seats.

The last time I flew I would have been in size 28 and weighted over 350 pounds. I paid for an extra seat on Jet Blue but probably could have got the armrest down if I had to and that is sometimes the way I've heard Southwest airlines determines whether you need an extra seat.

By the sound of it, you are quite a bit smaller than I was so you'll probably be fine.

Part of the reason I chose to get banded was so that I could travel by plane again and not have to worry about fitting in a seat.

Hopefully in six months I will be able to make a reservation without going to all the extra "research".

good luck

d

[Great2BThin 5]

You should be okay, unless you are flying on Southwest Airlines. they seem to have the biggest issue with making what they call POS "person of size" buy an extra seat. Recently there's been a few threads on here about folks having issues with them (there's one in the Considering Dr. Kirchshenbaum thread under Doctors and hospitals and another in the Rants and RAves section or just search Southwest Airlines on here). I do remember seeing news stories about this with Southwest as well.

I used to work for United and never did we do this. Although I was humiliated once to have to ask for a seat belt extender. And I had the exit row more leg room but the arm rest generally does go up) well once the flight attendant saw I needed the extender she kicked me out of the exit row as you can't use an extender in that row. I was so humiliated as it was a full flight and she had to ask all these folks to switch seats around to accomodate me.

[Kat817 19]

Ang, after looking at the site, if you determine you do need a seatbelt extension---ask for it as you board the plane. When you are boarding and they stand there telling you welcome aboard and all, if you ask for it then, they simply reach behind them and hand it to you. Those already on board are busy trying to get seated, and others are standing and stowing luggage etc. And those waiting to board are in line behind you and cannot see what is going on. Not all eyes are on you. Then you simply palm the extension and go to your seat, and buckle up, no one the wiser. If on the other hand you wait til you are seated and decide you need one----when you catch her attention she walks all the way to the front gets it in plane sight of everyone waiting to take off and walks back and hands it to you in plain sight. Much better to do it on the sly.

Also I have heard that you can get them cheap on ebay!!! I didn't have to use one on my trip to get banded, but the belt was TIGHT!! So I knew coming home with fresh incisions I would need one. I received this advice right here on LBT 2 1/2 years ago, and it worked!! She handed it to me, no problems and no one, even my SIL flying with me, did not know!!! She was going to do without she thought, and ended up asking for one, and the stewardess forgot who ask for it, and held it up with a questioning look until my SIL held up her hand to get it--I would have been mortified!!

I seriously thought about "taking" it with me for the next time, then decided no more often than I fly---I wouldn't need it next time! Didn't fly again til this summer, and I did not need it!! LOL

Good Luck--I remember the concerns well.

Kat

[Ang1982 4]

So sitting in my desk chair and taking a measuring tape and running it from behind me a bit at the back of the chair and all the way around to the other side it's about the same as the length of Alaska's seat belts and that wasnt even pulling it snug so I will use that as a judge for my flight and think it will be okay. Worse case im only on the flight 40 minutes then i switch flights after an hour layover so I will know for that one which is a longer one.

I am going to check out the Spanx tomorrow and i guess here's hoping a couple more lbs gone by the end of the month will help out!

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

This is why I post stuff like this on here because you ladies are fantastic! I NEVER would have thought of the Spanx idea but that totally makes sense, I will be investing in some of those before the flight that's for sure. I have to go swimsuit shopping so I will check out to see if I can get spanx too. I went to our local (lame) plus store and they had all the "tankini" style swimwear which is fine cuz that's what I wanted except...they had NO bottoms...clearly not going to work.. lol.

Clearly not going to work because you aren't adventerous enough...lol....

JUST KIDDING! :thumbs_down:

[Ang1982 4]

Clearly not going to work because you aren't adventerous enough...lol....

JUST KIDDING! :thumbs_down:

Haha my girl friend was like whatever you'll be in florida just go bottomless.. the fiance was like "you cant hang out with cheryl anymore". i did however find an "okay" bathingsuit and by okay i mean - it's a swimsuit.. HELLO lol

I bought a "body wrap" today .. it's similar to Spanx so we'll see how that works. Unfortunately the only store near where I live (and not really , still like 45min away) that carries spanx didn't carry my size so we'll see what happens with this "body wrap" thing.

[juliegeraci 7]

Hi Ange, I'm 5'8" tall and have flown at the weight. Its a little snug and you may need a seat belt extender but its doable. Don't be embarrassed. You will never see these people again.

[Ang1982 4]

Hi Ange, I'm 5'8" tall and have flown at the weight. Its a little snug and you may need a seat belt extender but its doable. Don't be embarrassed. You will never see these people again.

Thanks Julie, and you're right - I'll never see these people again.

For anyone that is curious, after my trip I will post how it went haha.