An Uncomfortable Ride?

Does anyone remember the uproar when Kevin Smith (the overweight film maker) was asked to buy an extra ticket when he couldn’t fit into the airline seat provided by the airline?  I do…but only because I shared his humiliation and outrage on this issue.

 

Many of my pre-wls nightmares centred around asking for  an ‘extension’ belt; being moved to another seat to ‘balance the load’; and looks of disdain from other passengers ‘hoping you weren’t sitting next to them!’ From your comments recently I know I am not alone.

 

I never did ask for, and never needed, an extension belt….my ritual was to get on the flight, breathe very deeply in, fix the belt (it just met) then never unclip it for the rest of the uncomfortable journey. 8+ hours in and no bathroom break does not make for a happy person!

 

I might have asked if the staff had been a little more discreet about my needs but after witnessing a vocal call from a hostess to her colleague down the aisle of  “an extension belt needed for the fat lady here'” I realised that some airlines are not user friendly.

 

Well here are some facts….today’s budget airlines often have seats that are just 42 cm/17 inches in diameter. Check a child’s high chair and you’ll see there isn’t much difference….and I don’t know about you but I have grown a bit since being a toddler. Thank heavens I have also shrunk a bit…so while still snug I can fit in comfortably and lower the table in front of me.

 

I don’t think this is purely a wls patient’s issue….in general most of us are much bigger than we were years ago. The average dress size for most UK and US women is 16 and 14 respectively.  Shouldn’t airlines look at this standard and size their seats accordingly…rather than squeeze as many super-skinny seats into their aircraft?

 

Of course girth isn’t the only consideration…what about those who are taller than average…they should be catered for too. I read recently that most children today with better nutrition are so much taller than their parents.

 

And don’t get me going on cinema seats where they have the audacity to charge you for a ‘wider’ seat. What next an ‘attractive or ugly’ tax?