Need ideas on how to get bulkhead or exit aisle seats when booking online etc. I'm 6"8", 265lbs. and can't hold my knees for one more sold out flight with no chance to upgrade.

Assuming you are not elite on any airline...if so, go Northwest. Exit row seats are almost always available in my experience (connect in Memphis) when you check in. They are not held in reserve for elite members, although those may book them well in advance. Nevertheless, I had no trouble getting these seats 90% of the time when I was a non-elite on NW.

Plus, NW lets exit row folk board with the elites, so you always get the overhead room for your carry-on.

Don't know about all the other airlines, but CO and DL don't have this feature.

Good luck!

Try American. They have MRTC. (More Room Thoughout Coach)

If you're not Elite on any airline, AA is the way to go. MRTC is great!

Big-Dee: I'm 6'3"...I can't even imagine how uncomfortable those seats would be if I were five inches taller.

I use Midwest Express whenever possible. Depending on your home city, this may not be possible because of their limited route map, but it's worth looking into. Do four-across seating (as opposed to 5) on DC-9's and MD-80's, with a few more inches of legroom than most carriers. Their frequent-flyer program is bare-bones, but when *every* flight is like an upgrade, you'll find that's a minor point.

Other than that, I use AA for MRTC.

Finally, UA has an Economy Plus section, but you either need to be elite or flying on a Y/B fare. Of course, you will probably be delayed for several hours, but airport departure lounge seats usually have pretty good legroom.

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I live in Cincinnati, Delta owned and soon to be striked. I lost my Gold level after driving to Louisville Ky. ,Dayton and Columbus Ohio to avoid exorbatant airfares. Now I'm just below levels on all airlines for another year.Plus, most of my routes to Grr,Dtw,Pit,Clev,Buf,BWI are being converted to CRG faster than I can blink. I will definitely look to other routes and airlines for my Las vegas and Phoenix flights each quarter.Thanks.

The best strategy is to check in at the airport as early as you can, definitely 2 hours before the flight. On almost any flight, there will be exit-row or bulkhead seats left then, as they are usually held back.

Sure, it sucks to get to the airport that early, but if I was as tall as you, I'd make the effort.

Just as a general comment, Southwest actually offers a little bit more legroom than most carriers, especially on the new 737-700s since they deleted the lounge seating. If you check-in early, you can board in the first group and have the pick of seats to yourself.

I'm 6'7". I totally understand where your coming from. This is one of my main reasons for maintaining elite with several airlines so that I never have to suffer. I find US carriers much more understanding of large peoples concerns than European carriers (although I have to say that although I do not like SR, their people are quite sympathetic to this circumstance). Asian carrier employees never seem to understand that big people need more leg room.

Don't know other airline but AA will hold bulkhead (i.e. cannot reserve in advance) until check-in, normally they will give them to family with childern but since you are so tall you can try request at check-in, if no success, ask to put request to seat assignment change and ask the gate agent.

Good Luck!