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User no longer registered.
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Is that seat taken?
Some of the airlines (Southwest, Delta) have announced recently that they will be grounding a portion of their planes due to rising fuel costs. That means most of the flights from now on, will be full or damn close to it!
You know what that means, don't you? You will, most likely not have that center seat open. Someone will be occupying that dreaded center seat. Hell, there is very little room in those coach seats as it is and....... oh god no, here comes Big Bertha Girth and she's got her eye on the center seat next to me!!  Oh, the humanity!!!!
What's your opinion on this latest decree from the airlines?
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| March 20, 2008, 09:03 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
Traveling by commercial airlines has become such a laborious intense hassle and waste of valuable productive time anymore that it simply is no longer a viable option unless absolutely necessary. The new fares just announced should put help to put a large dent in the numbers who travel for less than absolute need, as well.
All in all, except for business flyers, I suspect that nonbusiness traffic will fall way off in the coming months.
So, middle seaters...in the near short term, maybe over crowded flights. After that, enjoy the window or isle seat.
Sounds like a good excuse for a pool, huh? Any bets???
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| March 20, 2008, 09:39 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
I don't fly, but as far as big bertha Girth, the airlines need to keep up, the majority of Americans are overweight, and the obesity rate is starting young and climbing rapidly, sure it would be better if we all had the perfect metabolism and sensible diets but it will take decades to turn the obese thing around...till then...we need to make changes and considerations...
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| March 20, 2008, 22:07 |
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funlovingpair
59 / couple
Frozen Tundra, Minnesota, US
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Re: Is that seat taken?
As the rising cost of fuel continues to cut into the airlines bottom line, I do think that they (the airlines) will continue to add more charges to the little things. I've heard more and more that people will no longer travel via the airlines, and just stay close to home where they can drive to their vacation spot. I for one do not fly that much, maybe like only one or twice every 5 years or so.
Of course Voyeur , if you really want big bertha to move, all you would have to do is let a good ripe one loose. Of course she might puke in your lap first, but at least she'll be moving.  
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| March 20, 2008, 22:44 |
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AmberZed
56 / female
South of that..., Georgia, US
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Re: Is that seat taken?
Whenever I hear a story like that, I wonder what they could POSSIBLY be talking about... I fly several times a year, and RARELY do any of my fights have empty seats. And already they're using the smallest planes possible on some flights. What are they going to do next, seat some of us on the wing?
And as far as Bertha, I've sat next to her husband/brother/ father/son far more often... In fact, I've noticed even skinny guys have less problem invading a neighbor's personal space than Bertha does. Especially on the last flight I took. Yes, that arm-rest is skinny, but does your foot have to be under MY seat???
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| March 21, 2008, 00:11 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
QUOTE (funlovingpair @ March 20, 2008, 22:44)As the rising cost of fuel continues to cut into the airlines bottom line, I do think that they (the airlines) will continue to add more charges to the little things. I've heard more and more that people will no longer travel via the airlines, and just stay close to home where they can drive to their vacation spot. I for one do not fly that much, maybe like only one or twice every 5 years or so.
Of course Voyeur , if you really want big bertha to move, all you would have to do is let a good ripe one loose. Of course she might puke in your lap first, but at least she'll be moving.
I have on occasion, done just that. Accidentally of course! I have yet to dislodge anyone, be it a "large" person or not from that middle seat. I'm sure that if they're fat and nasty anyway, a foul smell or three will not impress them in the least. They'll probably take it as a challenge!! I like challenges. 
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| March 21, 2008, 03:51 |
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funlovingpair
59 / couple
Frozen Tundra, Minnesota, US
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Re: Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
QUOTE (voyeurbill @ March 21, 2008, 03:51) QUOTE (funlovingpair @ March 20, 2008, 22:44)As the rising cost of fuel continues to cut into the airlines bottom line, I do think that they (the airlines) will continue to add more charges to the little things. I've heard more and more that people will no longer travel via the airlines, and just stay close to home where they can drive to their vacation spot. I for one do not fly that much, maybe like only one or twice every 5 years or so.
Of course Voyeur , if you really want big bertha to move, all you would have to do is let a good ripe one loose. Of course she might puke in your lap first, but at least she'll be moving.
I have on occasion, done just that. Accidentally of course! I have yet to dislodge anyone, be it a "large" person or not from that middle seat. I'm sure that if they're fat and nasty anyway, a foul smell or three will not impress them in the least. They'll probably take it as a challenge!! I like challenges.
Remind me not to be on that flight. 
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| March 21, 2008, 08:50 |
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babygirl19
35 / female
somewhere, Massachusetts, US
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Re: Is that seat taken?
i actually kinda like when someone random sits next to me  it gives me a chance to meet soemoen new, and talk to someone new...if theyre friendly. im not sure how id feel about big bertha, but maybe shes a nice person?
anyone agree?
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| March 21, 2008, 14:59 |
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svedishchef
45 / male
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
Hey, I have another 24 hour flight coming up, I would like room to breathe. The only way I have leg room is if its exit row, but I tend to cramp so I have to get up often anyway. If someone big is sitting next to me, no matter how nice they are, i'm in all kinds of trouble, and pain.
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| March 21, 2008, 16:50 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
another aspect of the airlines reducing the number of planes in service = reduced flights= more crowded flights.
You just know the fares are going to increase which may mean fewer of the people now flying might not be traveling by plane in the future due to the cost factor.
As it stands now, supposed "discount" airlines such as Southwest are nothing but Greyhound buses with wings. Maybe the new plan for fewer flights=less choices and increased fares might "thin out the herd" a bit. One can only hope!
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| March 24, 2008, 07:41 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
The airlines are doing what they should have done many years ago. That's to quit running a non-profitable business. All airlines are reducing the number of flights they now offer in large part to fuel costs.
I for one can't imagine how much it costs to fill a large plane with jet fuel. This with diesel at $4 per gallon and rising.
If you're that concerned about a large person sitting next to you, then I'd suggest avoiding airplanes.
Personally, I prefer to drive where ever I go. If I fly, I'd have to rent a car and the total cost never has been more than a flight. Especially when you figure the overly large parking fees at most major airports. 
I know that many have no choice but to fly because of time constraints.--Just sayin'
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| March 24, 2008, 08:51 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
I watched a segment on the news the other night where pilots had written complaints to the FAA about fuel in the plains. They put the minimum amount required. Most pilots will land at another airport instead of circling and waiting for clearance to land at their destination for fear of running out of fuel. How ****** up is that?!!!
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| March 25, 2008, 09:29 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
QUOTE (babygirl19 @ March 21, 2008, 14:59)i actually kinda like when someone random sits next to me it gives me a chance to meet soemoen new, and talk to someone new...if theyre friendly. im not sure how id feel about big bertha, but maybe shes a nice person?
anyone agree?
quite right, i love meeting new people. some of the greatest conversations happen on flights with total strangers although big bertha would just make it uncomfortable, so it depends how long the flight is...
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| March 25, 2008, 10:05 |
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AmberZed
56 / female
South of that..., Georgia, US
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Re: Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
QUOTE (fingerboy1 @ March 25, 2008, 10:05) QUOTE (babygirl19 @ March 21, 2008, 14:59)i actually kinda like when someone random sits next to me it gives me a chance to meet soemoen new, and talk to someone new...if theyre friendly. im not sure how id feel about big bertha, but maybe shes a nice person?
anyone agree?
quite right, i love meeting new people. some of the greatest conversations happen on flights with total strangers although big bertha would just make it uncomfortable, so it depends how long the flight is...
Understandable, but blame the airlines, who squeeze in so many seats that you don't have enough room to breathe or move your legs. Don't blame Bertha, who has just as much right to fly as you do -- and if YOU feel squeezed, just imagine how uncomfortable SHE (or he) must be!
I'm going on vacation in a few weeks with a friend who is about twice as big as the "average" American woman... Trust me, what she has to go through just for a simple vacation is absolutely humiliating and quite expensive. Be kind if you end up sitting next to us, ok?
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| March 29, 2008, 22:24 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
I flew to Texas with "Big Bertha" a few years ago and I actually felt sorry for her. She was my boss and she actually needed to seats to accomodate that booty. And getting thru the terminals to change planes was not an easy task for her as were most things. But she was the funniest, wittest person in the world and we actually had a very good trip meeting wise and even sitting thru a Texas Ranger game in 109degree temps. So be nice to the "big bertha's" of the world..lol they just might be your boss someday!!!
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| March 30, 2008, 13:20 |
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40something
57 / female
In the Sun, Arizona, US
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Re: Is that seat taken?
Well we will see --- I am scheduled to fly out of PHX Tuesday and heading to MO. I love meeting new people so it will be fun.... I hope.
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| March 30, 2008, 20:51 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: Re: Is that seat taken?
QUOTE (fingerboy1 @ March 25, 2008, 10:05) QUOTE (babygirl19 @ March 21, 2008, 14:59)i actually kinda like when someone random sits next to me it gives me a chance to meet soemoen new, and talk to someone new...if theyre friendly. im not sure how id feel about big bertha, but maybe shes a nice person?
anyone agree?
quite right, i love meeting new people. some of the greatest conversations happen on flights with total strangers although big bertha would just make it uncomfortable, so it depends how long the flight is...
Exactly, it does depend how long the flight is. Try being stuck in the window seat with Large Marge laying siege to the isle and middle seat, on a 5 or 6 hour flight! You have to go water the flowers and to do that, you have to ask LM to dislodge herself from those seats and get up because you know there is no way you can squeeze by. Then when you return, you have to repeat the process. It ain't fun for either victim!! 
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| April 1, 2008, 09:15 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Is that seat taken?
With rising fuel costs, the airlines are adding smaller planes that are more fuel efficient. And cutting back on the quantity of flights = many are 98% full.
The last few flights I've been on I don't think there was an open seat. I just returned from the east coast this weekend and I felt sardines had more room. I'm not big, but damn that sit was small.
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| April 2, 2008, 12:20 |
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