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What do you do when the passenger is quite overweight?

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What do you do when the passenger is quite overweight?

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Old Mar 19, 2019, 6:43 pm
  #1  
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What do you do when the passenger is quite overweight?

I was on a flight with a passenger who was quite overweight and took up some of my own seat. The flight attendants were quite rude on this flight and it was full so I didn't bother contact them about it. In retrospect, what should I or you have done? I would have also accepted compensation in this instance but like I said, rude flight attendants so I didn't bother to try.

Anybody have any experience with this? Does AA have a policy for this (relocation or compensation or otherwise?) I have never successfully had an airline issue me one of those sorry/goodwill vouchers. They always just tell me to complain to the online customer service afterwards if they tell me anything at all.

I wrote to the airline afterward about this particular matter, we'll see what happens in that regard.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 6:55 pm
  #2  
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Charge/fine the offending passenger for invading your space. https://www.travelpulse.com/news/air...-his-seat.html
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Last edited by VXforever; Mar 19, 2019 at 6:56 pm Reason: clarify who is to be fined
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:06 pm
  #3  
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Originally Posted by VXforever
Charge/fine the offending passenger for invading your space. https://www.travelpulse.com/news/air...-his-seat.html
I saw that already but be serious. That's an unique situation with an audacious passenger and a very embarrassed overweight passenger who would rather acquiesce than make a scene. Most people would refuse such an offer.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:15 pm
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Originally Posted by aerosexual
I saw that already but be serious. That's an unique situation with an audacious passenger and a very embarrassed overweight passenger who would rather acquiesce than make a scene. Most people would refuse such an offer.
you could discretely complain to FAs, even if they are rude. Maybe they could switch you with non rev in the back.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:15 pm
  #5  
 
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https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/special-assistance.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav#extraspa ce

Extra space during travel

For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required. We encourage customers to address all seating needs when booking.
  • When you call to book, Reservations will make sure you get 2 adjacent seats at the same rate.
  • If you didn’t book an extra seat in advance, ask an airport agent to find out if 2 adjacent seats are available.
  • You may be offered a seat in a higher class of service that may provide more space; in this case, you’ll be responsible for the fare difference.
  • If accommodations can’t be made on your original flight, you can buy seats on a different flight at the same price as your original seats.
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Last edited by Uzzar; Mar 19, 2019 at 7:17 pm Reason: Added link to AA
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:35 pm
  #6  
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I would ask the FAs to call the GA. I'd require the GA to either find you a new agreeable seat, move the pax (or offload him) or reaccomodate you on another flight if an alternate empty seat couldn't be found. Yes it's not a very pleasant task but it is their job.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:38 pm
  #7  
 
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This happens to all of us but try to remember the person next to you is a human being. Yeah it sucks they are invading our space but how do you think that person feels

i sat next to a guy who was spilling over and I was near pressed against the wall. The entire flight he kept his arms wrapped around his body to contain his invasion. Flight sucked but I felt bad for him

what aa and all airlines should do though is require a second seat be purchased and if they don’t boarding be denied. Airlines are quick to measure and weigh our bags
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:55 pm
  #8  
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Originally Posted by aerosexual
I was on a flight with a passenger who was quite overweight and took up some of my own seat. The flight attendants were quite rude on this flight and it was full so I didn't bother contact them about it. In retrospect, what should I or you have done? I would have also accepted compensation in this instance but like I said, rude flight attendants so I didn't bother to try.

Anybody have any experience with this? Does AA have a policy for this (relocation or compensation or otherwise?) I have never successfully had an airline issue me one of those sorry/goodwill vouchers. They always just tell me to complain to the online customer service afterwards if they tell me anything at all.

I wrote to the airline afterward about this particular matter, we'll see what happens in that regard.
drink to forget about the situation
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 7:55 pm
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I'd say: move along, there's nothing to see here. You don't deserve compensation; yes it's unfortunate, but like delays and cancellations, it's just the reality you live in...
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 8:02 pm
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Originally Posted by Nuhusky
This happens to all of us but try to remember the person next to you is a human being. Yeah it sucks they are invading our space but how do you think that person feels

i sat next to a guy who was spilling over and I was near pressed against the wall. The entire flight he kept his arms wrapped around his body to contain his invasion. Flight sucked but I felt bad for him

what aa and all airlines should do though is require a second seat be purchased and if they don’t boarding be denied. Airlines are quick to measure and weigh our bags
In all my years I had only one ( thank god) who spilled over into my seat. I politely requested he contain himself. He did, sat with arms crossed and shoulders a bit huched. Long 3 hr flight, I got up three times and let him know I will be longer than "normal" so he can relax.
As to how he/ she feels : THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. They are counting on taking advantage of "poor me". Besides I don't know if it is a medical condition ( a good cop out) or too many trips to the buffet.
They know it will be uncomfortable for selves and others. They will not take proactive action since it costs $$$.
BTW when in Y I do pray and pass some anxious moments when I see a POS approaching
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 8:07 pm
  #11  
 
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I think everyone holds their breath when someone clearly overweight walks onto the plane hoping they keep moving back
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 8:39 pm
  #12  
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Originally Posted by HMPS
In all my years I had only one ( thank god) who spilled over into my seat. I politely requested he contain himself. He did, sat with arms crossed and shoulders a bit huched. Long 3 hr flight, I got up three times and let him know I will be longer than "normal" so he can relax.
As to how he/ she feels : THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. They are counting on taking advantage of "poor me". Besides I don't know if it is a medical condition ( a good cop out) or too many trips to the buffet.
They know it will be uncomfortable for selves and others. They will not take proactive action since it costs $$$.
BTW when in Y I do pray and pass some anxious moments when I see a POS approaching
Wow...just wow. I can't believe that you would ask someone who CLEARLY is overweight to "contain themselves". I can't imagine how embarrassing requesting a seatbelt extension or being told you're too big to fit. I understand obesity is possible to control and sometimes it isn't. If "normal" sized people on here bellyache and complain about how uncomfortable flying is, how bad must it be for a COS. They obviously don't try to purposefully invade your space. It's uptight and inconsiderate people like you who make people feel like they need to apologize for everything they often can't control when flying and ultimately makes flying uncomfortable and almost traumatic.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 8:43 pm
  #13  
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I'm surprised that no one is addressing the real answer to this question, which is posted above. AA does require this passenger to book a 2nd adjacent seat. There is nothing wrong with requesting that AA follow their own policies. This passenger should be moved to a seat with a vacant adjacent seat, or, of unavailable, be asked to deplane. Really this is on the GA -- they should not have been allowed to board (IMO it is much better for all involved to handle this situation with private conversation at the gate than a public one on the plane)
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 9:17 pm
  #14  
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Upon reflecting on this I think that the airline should be required to provide two adjacent seats for the price of one (second seat free), for customers above certain size. There has to be some ADA type of accommodation. What is happening now is not fair to either COS or other passengers.
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Old Mar 19, 2019, 9:18 pm
  #15  
 
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Originally Posted by jackvogt
Wow...just wow. I can't believe that you would ask someone who CLEARLY is overweight to "contain themselves". I can't imagine how embarrassing requesting a seatbelt extension or being told you're too big to fit. I understand obesity is possible to control and sometimes it isn't. If "normal" sized people on here bellyache and complain about how uncomfortable flying is, how bad must it be for a COS. They obviously don't try to purposefully invade your space. It's uptight and inconsiderate people like you who make people feel like they need to apologize for everything they often can't control when flying and ultimately makes flying uncomfortable and almost traumatic.
they absolutely can control it - they can purchase 2 seats if they are too big too fit. Or at least ask the gate agent to block a middle seat of the flight is not full.
Why would I have to suffer because someone can’t control it?
If someone is very tall they obviously have a choice to purchase MCE to be comfortable. Same
goes to the POS
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