Overweight passenger in middle seat
Jul 3, 2012, 12:27 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
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Being removed from a plane and being an IDB are completely different things. May want to read either th CoC or the DoT rules, which are the same for what an IDB is. The OP is new here and telling them somethin that is not true will just spread misinformation and flase statements that might get interpreted falsely.
Jul 3, 2012, 12:39 pm
#17
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That said, the time to deal with COS issues is before departure. This can be handled with discretion by speaking quietly w. a FA up front and being polite but insistent.
In particular, in the case of an Exit Row issue, it's even more important. Remember, this was a pax who was not assigned to the Exit Row and the substitution should not have been allowed.
Last edited by Often1; Jul 3, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Jul 3, 2012, 1:20 pm
#18
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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.
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.
Jul 3, 2012, 2:08 pm
#20
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The GA has to know the COS because he or she can board.
Can they even get out the window exit?
Jul 3, 2012, 2:14 pm
#21
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These are delicate situations to begin with, and the onus should not be on the passenger to affect action when it becomes a safety concern.
Jul 3, 2012, 2:39 pm
#22
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Jul 3, 2012, 2:47 pm
#23
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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 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.
Jul 3, 2012, 3:08 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Of course, when I was that big, I flew a lot less and only flew when traveling with a companion who was willing to tolerate me occupying some of his or her space.
Jul 3, 2012, 5:02 pm
#25
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IMO when the OP didn't complain the FA decided to just to look the other way. I bet the FA made sure everyone turned off their phones, etc.
Jul 3, 2012, 6:06 pm
#26
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
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Simple...
As to the POS issue...never fly in economy (aka Steerage). In First Class you NEVER have to worry about the person in the middle seat!!!
And BTW, no need to personally thank me for this sage advice. It's simply my way of giving back!
And BTW, no need to personally thank me for this sage advice. It's simply my way of giving back!
Jul 3, 2012, 7:10 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Not related to COS/POS, but in regards to exit row and seat belt extenders, (although not official as in FAR, but as an industry safety):
http://flightsafety.org/files/cabin_...compendium.pdf
See Section 2-2
On Qantas website, it gives restrictions:
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...eats/global/en
http://flightsafety.org/files/cabin_...compendium.pdf
See Section 2-2
On Qantas website, it gives restrictions:
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...eats/global/en
He asked for a seat belt extender, the FA brought it no questions.
I was wondering myself: Could this person even fit through the exit window, much less help others to emergency exit?
Fortunately we did not have to find out!
The only good thing about exit rows and COS' is that typically the armrest does not move. So they can't move it up to better fit in to their seat (and yours)....
Jul 3, 2012, 7:26 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2008
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I once wrote in for clarification on the oversized passenger issue (not seeking compensation) and got 7,000 miles as a gesture of goodwill. Now that i know the policy I will not surrender any of my seat if they cannot reasonably fit in theirs.
Weather delays usually get me about $200 in compensation as an e-certificate, but that often depends on status and circumstance. Check out this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...pensation.html to see what others have been given in compensation.
Weather delays usually get me about $200 in compensation as an e-certificate, but that often depends on status and circumstance. Check out this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...pensation.html to see what others have been given in compensation.
Jul 3, 2012, 7:56 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
Posts: 986
I didn't think about it until LarkSFO mentioned it, but:
According to the OP:
"The armrest between us would not stay in position due to her girth. . .As we were seated in an exit row, I doubt this passenger could have properly assisted if an issue arose."
Which planes have movable armrests in exit rows?
According to the OP:
"The armrest between us would not stay in position due to her girth. . .As we were seated in an exit row, I doubt this passenger could have properly assisted if an issue arose."
Which planes have movable armrests in exit rows?