|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 22, 2014 2:05:53 GMT
In reading through Alaska Airlines policies I came across this interesting tidbit and thought I would share as I actually haven't seen this subject addressed by another airline. I must confess I was surprised to actually come across this "policy". The lady sitting next to me on my last trip to Vegas had me scrunched up in my window seat with the arm up and had requested the "seatbelt extension". Clearly Alaska Air did not adhere to the extra seat policy and I don't think this "policy" is enforced and who would enforce it anyway...the flight attendants once everyone is seated on the plane??? I don't think so...
Customers of Size
Second Seat Policy
We strive to best serve our customers' unique needs by providing a comfortable and safe flight for all passengers.
Alaska Airlines requires the purchase of an additional seat for any customer who cannot comfortably fit within one seat with the armrests in the down position. We are unable to guarantee travel for those who require additional seat space on a given flight unless a second seat is purchased in advance.
If all flight segments between origin and destination depart with an empty seat, customers who have purchased a second seat can receive a refund of the second seat charge for that portion of their trip.
Seatbelt Extensions
The seat width on all Alaska Airlines aircraft (armrest to armrest) is approximately 17 inches and the seatbelt length is approximately 46 inches. Passengers needing extra coverage may ask the flight attendant for a seatbelt extension, which adds 25 inches to the seatbelt length. Seatbelt extension use is not allowed in exit rows for the safety of all passengers due to the possibility of entanglement by the extensions. Only seatbelt extensions provided by the specific aircraft operator may be used onboard.
Some passengers may need more room than the seat width allows and must occupy their own seat and a portion of the entire adjoining seat. The option to purchase an extra seat is available to those individuals who require this service based on our seat dimensions.
|
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 22, 2014 11:50:06 GMT
Hi Boop, I think Air Canada has a similar policy, although I don’t know how often it’s enforced. I do know in Canada, if you have a Doctor’s note saying that you are obese due to a disability, you can request a second seat for free. If you do not have a Doctor’s note, however, you may be required to pay for a second seat.
One of my biggest fears is getting stuck beside an obese person on a long flight overseas. I still remember getting stuck beside a very broad man on a 1.5 hour flight, and by the time we landed, my back was killing me from having to sit bent into the aisle for the whole trip. The attendant knocked my elbow as he was walking by me, and I ended up spilling my wine all over me. Fortunately it was white wine. The attendant then yelled at me for not sitting properly until I told him that I couldn’t sit properly because there was no room. He then looked at the guy beside me and didn’t say anything after that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 22, 2014 16:21:19 GMT
Hi Boop, I think Air Canada has a similar policy, although I don’t know how often it’s enforced. I do know in Canada, if you have a Doctor’s note saying that you are obese due to a disability, you can request a second seat for free. If you do not have a Doctor’s note, however, you may be required to pay for a second seat. One of my biggest fears is getting stuck beside an obese person on a long flight overseas. I still remember getting stuck beside a very broad man on a 1.5 hour flight, and by the time we landed, my back was killing me from having to sit bent into the aisle for the whole trip. The attendant knocked my elbow as he was walking by me, and I ended up spilling my wine all over me. Fortunately it was white wine. The attendant then yelled at me for not sitting properly until I told him that I couldn’t sit properly because there was no room. He then looked at the guy beside me and didn’t say anything after that. Ohhh, spilling wine is a sin anytime  My flight was just a bit longer than yours and I spent the time cuddled up to my window. I don't see this policy enforced at all. The fact that the attendant actually yelled at you is cause for complaint and not apologizing for spilling your wine on you would have me writing a letter... |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 22, 2014 17:01:59 GMT
I did complain to Porter about that incident, as well as a few other incidents, but they don’t do anything about it. They make it very difficult to complain, and you can’t even call and speak to someone, you have to email them. The only reason I still fly with them is because there are only two airlines that fly to where my parents live, and the other one is much more expensive than Porter. Apparently West Jet is going to start flying there next year, so I’ll at least have another option.
On a positive note, the attendant did give me another glass of wine.
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 22, 2014 17:18:28 GMT
I got on my Air New Zealand flight and found a huge guy sitting in my seat (second last row - last row being empty which is why I selected that seat well in advance) and he had an infant in the centre and wife on other side. He tried to tell me he had been given the seat and I showed him my ticket which said different. He had to sit in the centre seat with the infant on his lap (why his wife didn't take the infant, I don't know). After take-off, the attendants moved me forward one seat and buddy got back in my seat. As an overnight flight, all the seats went back and I never felt him budge the whole time even though he barely fit between the two seats. If I had had to sit next to him for the whole 12 hour flight, I would have needed physiotherapy on landing. When he was in the centre seat, he spilled over into both sides. It's getting to the point that they need a sample seat at the ticket counter right next to the carryon size frame. On the opposite end of the extreme...on my 15 hour Hong Kong flight, a tiny young lady sat next to me, crossed her legs in the seat and didn't even touch the armrests with her knees. She didn't move the whole time. Next best thing to an empty seat next to you. LOL  |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 22, 2014 20:19:29 GMT
I know! People can drive you crazy sometimes huh? On my return flight from Vegas I had the same scenario...tiny little thing in a seat with her legs tucked under her....that's just not fair! She looked totally comfortable the entire flight.
What a great idea about the sizing seat.....why not? But then people would likely complain about "constitutional" rights of something.
|
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 23, 2014 11:51:50 GMT
My understanding is that infants have to be held by the person in the aisle seat only, as that seat has two oxygen masks that drop down in the event of an emergency. I remember on one of my long flights to Europe, there was a couple with a baby two rows in front of me, and they kept swapping seats so that they could take turns holding the baby. The air attendant made it very clear that the baby was never to be held by the person in the middle seat.
Weighing or sizing people before they fly is a touchy subject. I agree that it’s not right that obese people should be allowed to take up one and a half seats, while the person beside them gets squished for the whole flight, but at the same time, I know a few people who are overweight due to medical conditions, and there’s not much they can do about it. One person in particular exercises regularly and eats less than I do in a day, and yet she’s still overweight due to the medication she’s taking. Of course, if she stops taking the medication, she will lose weight, but then she will have other, more serious health problems. That being said, most obese people are obese because they eat too much and don’t exercise enough, and I do think that those people should have to pay for two seats when flying, or, pay for the bigger seats in business or first class. When I went to Punta Cana for my friend’s wedding last year, most of us upgraded to first class as it wasn’t that expensive, and not only were the seats huge, but the arm rests were very wide and could not be lifted it, so it was impossible for the person beside you to encroach on your space. I wish I could afford the first class seats for flights to Europe, but they are still too expensive for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 23, 2014 12:58:11 GMT
That's interesting cause when he moved to the centre seat, he kept the infant and didn't hand it off to his wife who was in the aisle (this was the centre three seats) and the attendants didn't make him. They just waited till after I was moved to move him and then he used the centre seat as a bed for the baby. And yes, after having visited countries like China and Japan (where people eat whole, nutritious food), I have no doubt the vast majority of morbidly obese are like that due to the unhealthy foods that are pushed on our society. I took a medication that increased my weight as well...it put 70 lbs on me very very quickly. Got most of it off...working on the last 20...so I also know some are on meds that do this - but they can easily produce proof and get the second set for free (as they should!). But for all those claiming 'oh it's my metabolism'...well, yes it is...cause our metabolism is designed to burn about 2000-2500 calories...not 4000-5000 daily. LOL  |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 23, 2014 13:16:03 GMT
Once you moved, the baby got the seat in the middle, which meant there was an oxygen mask assigned to that seat. Before you moved though, the baby should have been with the mother in the aisle seat, unless the airline you were flying with has two oxygen mask above the middle seats. I was flying with Air Canada, and the attendant made it very clear that the baby was to be in the aisle seat at all times, in case there was an emergency and oxygen was needed.
I agree that most people are obese due to overeating and lack of exercise, and I know that it can be difficult to lose weight once you’ve gained it. It takes a lot of hard work and will power, and I commend people who do make an effort to eat better and exercise more often. Of course, there are those who will still say that their obesity is caused by a mental or physical disability, which means they are not responsible for being overweight. Regardless of the cause, the rest of us shouldn’t have to suffer because of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 23, 2014 13:31:13 GMT
Yeah...given the rule, she should have...but I noticed she never once took the infant from him. And she was definitely the wife. Very peculiar.  |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 23, 2014 17:31:10 GMT
Thanks to my "buddy" above, who put me on to the perfect weight loss app...I've dropped 38 #'s since May. I have 12 more #'s to go to reach my perfect weight......and then I can do my happy, cat dancing routine for everyone!! Losing weight can be done in a safe way with a little willpower over a dedicated period of time. Flash diets never work but a healthy approach to weight loss can. And who knows, on my trip to Vegas in November I just might be able to sit in my seat with my legs folded under me!! LOL, ain't gonna happen...I'm too tall for that! (Did I mention that I stopped drinking wine in May?? (which helped in the daily calorie count!)) |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 23, 2014 18:08:09 GMT
Thanks to my "buddy" above, who put me on to the perfect weight loss app...I've dropped 38 #'s since May. I have 12 more #'s to go to reach my perfect weight......and then I can do my happy, cat dancing routine for everyone!! Losing weight can be done in a safe way with a little willpower over a dedicated period of time. Flash diets never work but a healthy approach to weight loss can. And who knows, on my trip to Vegas in November I just might be able to sit in my seat with my legs folded under me!! LOL, ain't gonna happen...I'm too tall for that! (Did I mention that I stopped drinking wine in May?? (which helped in the daily calorie count!)) Good for you Boop on losing 38 pounds! I know how hard it can be to lose weight, and, like you said, crash diets never work. I have put on a little bit of weight over the last year, and I’m not sure why. I haven’t changed my diet, and I exercise regularly, so I don’t know what I’m doing to gain this extra weight. I think it really has to do with getting older. I even saw my doctor about it, and he did say that as you get older you need to eat less to maintain your weight. I guess I’ll just need to cut back as I don’t have time to exercise more than I already do. Fortunately for me, I only have about 10 pounds to lose to get back to my normal size, so it shouldn’t take me that long. You must be really dedicated to have given up wine! Wine is not my vice, but I do like a cold beer on a hot summer’s day! |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 23, 2014 18:50:34 GMT
Thanks to my "buddy" above, who put me on to the perfect weight loss app...I've dropped 38 #'s since May. I have 12 more #'s to go to reach my perfect weight......and then I can do my happy, cat dancing routine for everyone!! Losing weight can be done in a safe way with a little willpower over a dedicated period of time. Flash diets never work but a healthy approach to weight loss can. And who knows, on my trip to Vegas in November I just might be able to sit in my seat with my legs folded under me!! LOL, ain't gonna happen...I'm too tall for that! (Did I mention that I stopped drinking wine in May?? (which helped in the daily calorie count!)) Good for you Boop on losing 38 pounds! I know how hard it can be to lose weight, and, like you said, crash diets never work. I have put on a little bit of weight over the last year, and I’m not sure why. I haven’t changed my diet, and I exercise regularly, so I don’t know what I’m doing to gain this extra weight. I think it really has to do with getting older. I even saw my doctor about it, and he did say that as you get older you need to eat less to maintain your weight. I guess I’ll just need to cut back as I don’t have time to exercise more than I already do. Fortunately for me, I only have about 10 pounds to lose to get back to my normal size, so it shouldn’t take me that long. You must be really dedicated to have given up wine! Wine is not my vice, but I do like a cold beer on a hot summer’s day! I was just ready, finally, to drop the weight and giving up wine was part of it! I maintain 1200 calories per day and there just isn't room to "waste" 215 calories to have a glass of wine or two every night or a super-sized portion of food! I, too, enjoy a nice, cold, crisp beer on a hot summer's day......maybe next summer!!  |
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 23, 2014 18:51:00 GMT
I saw a little tidbit that got me thinking....it said to read the ingredients on the tub of margarine and then read the ingredients on the package of butter....and then figure out why is margarine perceived to be healthier for us. I've started using a spreadable butter that contains canola oil to make it spreadable. The ingredient list there is a fraction of what it is on margarine. LOL |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 23, 2014 18:54:22 GMT
I saw a little tidbit that got me thinking....it said to read the ingredients on the tub of margarine and then read the ingredients on the package of butter....and then figure out why is margarine perceived to be healthier for us. I've started using a spreadable butter that contains canola oil to make it spreadable. The ingredient list there is a fraction of what it is on margarine. LOL I'm a huge butter fan, always have been. Taste wise, there is no comparison to be made between butter and margarine. I have tried "I Can't Believe It's Not Real Butter" and it's not bad. I can't imagine the ingredient list though..... |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on Oct 23, 2014 19:00:01 GMT
Interesting facts: Just checked some items in my fridge and:
Butter = 70 cal./2 tsp
Parkay = 70 cal./2 tsp
I Cant Believe Its Not Butter = 80 cal./2 tsp
The ingredients in everything but the butter product is very scary....
I'll stick to butter..
|
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 23, 2014 19:22:29 GMT
Fortunately for me, I’m not a big fan of butter or margarine, and only use butter when eating corn-on-the-cob. I don’t even like butter on popcorn. I do bake with butter though, and would never think of substituting butter for margarine when baking. I’ve been told by my naturopath that margarine is one of the worst foods we can eat.
Overall I eat pretty healthy, although I don’t think I’d be able to live on 1200 calories a day! I’d be starving all of the time if I did, probably because I exercise a lot. My biggest vice is pasta, which I try not to eat very often, and if I do make pasta, I make brown rice pasta, which is even better than whole wheat pasta.
One thing that my naturopath recommended to me, and which I do whenever possible, is eat my largest meal of the day at lunch, and my smallest meal at dinner. I usually have a big lunch, which keeps me full until 7:00 p.m., and then I have a small snack for dinner. This has made a big difference in terms of controlling my weight. Of course, this is hard to do on weekends, as I go out for dinner most weekends, but I try to do this all of the time during the week.
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 23, 2014 20:24:57 GMT
I started doing the bigger lunch recently and it makes a big difference. For the last couple months I've been eating a big salad for dinner and nothing but tea after 7 pm. The salad has a bit of everything in it and I use salsa instead of salad dressing. Speaking of which....it's dinner time! lol |
|
|
|
Post by purvis on Oct 23, 2014 21:06:04 GMT
I started doing the bigger lunch recently and it makes a big difference. For the last couple months I've been eating a big salad for dinner and nothing but tea after 7 pm. The salad has a bit of everything in it and I use salsa instead of salad dressing. Speaking of which....it's dinner time! lol I weighed myself this morning and am down to 108lbs which is 4lbs lighter than I like to be. With a Florida vacation coming up in a little more than a week I'll probably gain the 4lbs if not more. I don't drive so walk a lot which may account for my weight. I'm 4'11" so really am small which has it's advantages in airports (people ask to help get luggage off carrousel) but a big disadvantage when trying to get things off upper shelves in grocery stores. No matter what size you are as long as you are comfortable in your own skin that's what matters. Life's too short to punish yourself just enjoy who you are and as long as your weight is not affecting your health then don't spend too much time being concerned about it. Purvis |
|
|
|
Post by Oz-T on Oct 23, 2014 21:09:22 GMT
Well, I made the decision in February that I would lose a lot of weight and that's exactly what I did. All up, I lost 10kg (22lb) in ten weeks. So did Mrs Oz. I attribute this to an unlikely cause: going on a cruise. In case you're wondering, yes I still possess my limbs and the weight pretty much stayed off. No miracle pills or fad gimmicks, just a very scientific approach with a huge education about how a person's metabolism works. And willpower. I increased my snacks and still drank wine during the entire process. Only problem was having to pay a tailor to tighten the waistband on my suits. |
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Oct 23, 2014 21:15:26 GMT
I gave up worrying about diet a few years ago when I retired. In 2008 I tipped the scales at 80Kgs (180lbs) but over time I have dropped to 62Kgs (136lbs) dripping wet.
The only major change that I made was to make lunch my main meal and lightened up on dinner meals.
I don't like takeaway food like Macdonalds or KFC and eat very little pasta. My energy levels are good and sleep habits pretty fair. 9.30pm generally sees me in bed but 4am is rising time.
I still smoke and enjoy a daily couple of beers. The last comment I had from my doctor was "You are healthier than me!"
As long as I can hold like this I will be very happy! |
|
|
|
Post by Oz-T on Oct 23, 2014 23:26:31 GMT
Main meal size at lunch is certainly a weight reduction strategy, Tony. Too large an evening meal and the calories aren't needed whilst sleeping - so they tend to get stored as fat. I'm probably rare for someone my age because I have never once smoked - not even a puff. I saw what it did to my parents.  |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 24, 2014 11:46:11 GMT
I started doing the bigger lunch recently and it makes a big difference. For the last couple months I've been eating a big salad for dinner and nothing but tea after 7 pm. The salad has a bit of everything in it and I use salsa instead of salad dressing. Speaking of which....it's dinner time! lol So far, the big lunch, small dinner has been working for me too, and as I go to bed early during the week, I prefer to have a small meal in the evening as I don’t like going to bed on a full stomach. One thing my naturopath did mention is not to skip dinner though, just to eat small. If you skip dinner, you slow down your metabolism and your blood sugar drops, which is not good considering it will be hours before you eat breakfast. I’m sometimes not even hungry for dinner after having a big lunch, but still have a little something just to keep my metabolism going. I love salads, and usually make a big salad on Saturday afternoons to last me the whole weekend. I’ve tried salsa instead of salad dressing, but I didn’t like it that much. I make my own dressing though, so I can control what goes into it and how much to use. |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Oct 24, 2014 11:54:23 GMT
I started doing the bigger lunch recently and it makes a big difference. For the last couple months I've been eating a big salad for dinner and nothing but tea after 7 pm. The salad has a bit of everything in it and I use salsa instead of salad dressing. Speaking of which....it's dinner time! lol I weighed myself this morning and am down to 108lbs which is 4lbs lighter than I like to be. With a Florida vacation coming up in a little more than a week I'll probably gain the 4lbs if not more. I don't drive so walk a lot which may account for my weight. I'm 4'11" so really am small which has it's advantages in airports (people ask to help get luggage off carrousel) but a big disadvantage when trying to get things off upper shelves in grocery stores. No matter what size you are as long as you are comfortable in your own skin that's what matters. Life's too short to punish yourself just enjoy who you are and as long as your weight is not affecting your health then don't spend too much time being concerned about it. Purvis Hi Purvis, you are absolutely right. As long as you’re healthy, you need to enjoy life and not obsess over your weight. Too many people do so now-a-days, and end up on these crash diets that do more harm than good. No one’s perfect, and it’s important to focus on being healthy, not thin. I work out regularly because I like exercise and I know it’s good for me, not so I can lose weight. In fact, when trying to lose weight, it’s 80% diet and only 20% exercise. My aunt was petite like you, 4”11’, 100 to 105 pounds, but she never had people help her at the airport because of it. Maybe it’s because she always wore 5” heals and walked with a sense of determination. She was a feisty lady, and you could tell just by looking at her. |
|
|
|
Post by Tulips on Nov 1, 2014 10:58:14 GMT
Reducing sugar is a big help too because sugar = fat.
i started reading labels for sugar content and was amazed. I used to drink bottles of Nestea. When I read 40 grams of sugar per bottle, out those went. I switched to Almond milk because my skim milk was loaded with sugar. I drink lots more water.
i have reduced the mount of wine I drink as well.
all of this, combined with exercise has really helped. Although I have been away a lot lately and eating out has caused me yo out a bit of weight back on. I don't always want a salad at a restaurant, especially at a nice restaurant.
|
|
My flight was just a bit longer than yours and I spent the time cuddled up to my window. I don't see this policy enforced at all. The fact that the attendant actually yelled at you is cause for complaint and not apologizing for spilling your wine on you would have me writing a letter...
