FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Overweight passenger in middle seat
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Old Jul 3, 2012, 12:17 pm
  #14  
bucketlist
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 655
It's best to stand (up for your rights) before the door closes. If the COS can't be moved, request an IDB. Once the door closes and you're off there's little the FA can do - they have to be alerted to the trouble while there's time to do something, like remove or reseat the COS.

Not sure if there's a prohibition on seat belt extenders in exit rows tho it seems this COS would have had difficulty the duties required in, and been a potential bottleneck of, the exit row. Someone old and frail and skinny is not good for the exit row, nor someone young and 400 lbs...

UA policy is pretty civilized - if someone can't fit in one and can't buy an extra seat, and can't fly until the next day, UA provides meals, lodging.

It's also clear from .bomb:

Customers requiring extra seating

A customer flying in the economy cabin who is not able to safely and comfortably fit in a single seat is required to purchase an additional seat for each leg of their itinerary. The second seat may be purchased for the same fare as the original seat, provided it is purchased at the same time. A customer who does not purchase an extra seat in advance may be required to do so on the day of departure for the fare level available on the day of departure. The customer may instead choose to purchase a ticket for United First®, United Business® or United BusinessFirst®, or elect to pay for an upgrade to a premium cabin if there is availability to do so. United Airlines is not required to provide additional seats or upgrades free of charge.

A customer is required to purchase an additional seat or upgrade if they do not meet one of the following criteria:

The customer must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seatbelt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member.*
The customer must be able to remain seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the entirety of the flight.
The customer must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space. See our seat maps.
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