*Marjorie*
Full Member
Posts: 360
Location: Hawaii
Jun 26, 2014 16:43:45 GMT
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Post by *Marjorie* on Feb 15, 2020 5:52:29 GMT
I'm 73 and have some mobility issues. This is why I always choose an aisle seat. I like American Airlines cause most of their aisle seata have arm rests that can be lifted. I never ever use the back of someones seat to get up. I lift the arm and scoot out. LOL
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Post by gar on Feb 15, 2020 9:49:26 GMT
I've never flown and probably never will. These stories make it sound just miserable. It's not a joy in itself, and of course this thread is focusing on irritations, but it's just a few hours and the prize of seeing other parts of the world outweighs that immensely.
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theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Jun 26, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
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Post by theshyone on Feb 15, 2020 11:38:34 GMT
If you can't lift your bag over your head, check it! I've been hit on the head twice because people can't lift their bag to the overhead space. And if I hear one more little old lady say "someone will help me" as they're dragging their bag on board . . . My daughter is young, over six feet, however due to medical issues can’t put her bag in the overhead compartment. She will not check it as it has her medicine in it. Sometimes people have been nice to help her, other times she has encountered people rude as hell. The hardest has been her cane, it has to go in the overhead bins, but she has to be seated before not using it. Then how does she get it above?
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Feb 15, 2020 11:43:46 GMT
I don’t love to fly, but I love to travel. The inconveniences of air travel are worth it to me to get to and from my destination. Well said.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Feb 15, 2020 13:53:25 GMT
If you can't lift your bag over your head, check it! I've been hit on the head twice because people can't lift their bag to the overhead space. And if I hear one more little old lady say "someone will help me" as they're dragging their bag on board . . . My daughter is young, over six feet, however due to medical issues can’t put her bag in the overhead compartment. She will not check it as it has her medicine in it. Sometimes people have been nice to help her, other times she has encountered people rude as hell. The hardest has been her cane, it has to go in the overhead bins, but she has to be seated before not using it. Then how does she get it above? If she's using a cane, she should just ask for assistance with preboarding. The flight attendant will stow her bag and cane.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
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Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Feb 15, 2020 14:23:02 GMT
I've never flown and probably never will. These stories make it sound just miserable. It's not a joy in itself, and of course this thread is focusing on irritations, but it's just a few hours and the prize of seeing other parts of the world outweighs that immensely. To clarify, it isn't these stories that make me not fly. Purely financial reasons.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
Jul 11, 2018 15:20:45 GMT
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Post by julie5 on Feb 15, 2020 14:40:01 GMT
If you can't lift your bag over your head, check it! I've been hit on the head twice because people can't lift their bag to the overhead space. And if I hear one more little old lady say "someone will help me" as they're dragging their bag on board . . . If airlines didn't make it so damn expensive to check a second bag, I'm sure more people would because it is sure not a pleasure to try to make your way down a tiny aisle, find a place to actually store your overhead bag, then try to hoist it into position while the people behind you look irritated. It would be soooo much easier to just check it. I just flew last week on Delta and United. United gave you one checked bag for $30. A second would have been another $50. Most people are going to have a carry on. I have often helped "little old ladies" and never gave it a second thought. There have been times others have helped me. Unless people are being downright rude, I wish we could all just have a little more patience with each other. Flying is not a fun experience unless you can afford 1st class. Yes to this 100%. How is it more expensive for them to toss your bag in the belly of the plane vs you carry it on board? I get that there’s a whole staff involved but it doesn’t need to be so expensive. We’re flying southwest next week and get two bags checked for free. You bet your ass I’m taking all of our allotted luggage! On any other airline that could be up to $500 in bags alone!
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Post by Linda on Feb 15, 2020 15:41:05 GMT
If airlines didn't make it so damn expensive to check a second bag, I'm sure more people would because it is sure not a pleasure to try to make your way down a tiny aisle, find a place to actually store your overhead bag, then try to hoist it into position while the people behind you look irritated. It would be soooo much easier to just check it. I just flew last week on Delta and United. United gave you one checked bag for $30. A second would have been another $50. Most people are going to have a carry on. I have often helped "little old ladies" and never gave it a second thought. There have been times others have helped me. Unless people are being downright rude, I wish we could all just have a little more patience with each other. Flying is not a fun experience unless you can afford 1st class. Yes to this 100%. How is it more expensive for them to toss your bag in the belly of the plane vs you carry it on board? I get that there’s a whole staff involved but it doesn’t need to be so expensive. We’re flying southwest next week and get two bags checked for free. You bet your ass I’m taking all of our allotted luggage! On any other airline that could be up to $500 in bags alone! I never pay for checked luggage - I always make sure my meds etc...are in my personal item (large handbag or small backpack) and I always volunteer to gate check my carryon bag when I get to the gate. Saves me the checked luggage charge and means I don't have to struggle to put it up above my head (or pull it back down) or carry it through my connecting airport. Win-win in my opinion.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
Jul 11, 2018 15:20:45 GMT
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Post by julie5 on Feb 15, 2020 15:48:39 GMT
I get your point linda but I don’t pack my suitcase to be tsa compliant, in both size and contents. So I have to check it before I get to security.
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Post by Tamhugh on Feb 15, 2020 19:12:32 GMT
I try not to do this, but if the seat in front of me is reclined, and I am not on the aisle, it happens. If you are reclined into the person’s space behind you, you may have to deal with them touching your seat.
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Post by sues on Feb 15, 2020 19:35:20 GMT
I do not understand how people don't notice when their kids are kicking the seat. If they notice and don't care- ugh. I am guilty of being a seat grabber-like when I get up... then once I got the stinkeye from the person in the seat and it was like a light bulb. I had legitimately not ever thought of the fact that I might be moving their seat. I apologized profusely and never did it again. So, sometimes, stinkeye givers...your message is getting across. Recliners- I get that the seats recline and it's your right to do it. What I don't get is- you're getting about a 2" recline- does it matter that much? Every time the person in front of me reclines, it's like they're venting some pent up aggression- all of a sudden the seat flies back with a jerk and God help me if I'm writing or leaning forward or have my drink on the tray table. Do people not consider that? I just figure - I'm not going to be really comfortable on an airplane. I'll do what I can do to be comfortable without contributing to someone else's discomfort. I'm also a helper... if you need gum or Kleenex or help with your baby, whatever- I'm your girl. I flew to CA once with a grandma's head resting on my shoulder while she slept. I didn't have the heart to wake her up. She was OUT. Her daughter was mortified, but I told her it was fine. I'm short- so I can't help you with your bags, though. My husband- after hearing stories of me struggling on planes when I wasn't travelling with him ALWAYS offers to help people get their bags in overhead bins if they look like it's an issue. Usually people are appreciative but one time a woman snapped at him that her arms weren't broken and she didn't ask for his help. Yikes.
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moodyblue
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Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Feb 15, 2020 19:42:09 GMT
It has been years since I’ve flown anywhere. Road trips have a lot more appeal now, especially as I’m getting older, and the arthritis in my knees has gotten much worse and I have issues with stiffness and moving easily, especially when I first get up.
It was never easy to stand up and get out of an airline seat and knowing that the space is even more cramped now, and I’m bigger than I was when I last flew, I have no desire to get on a plane any time soon. Only way I’d do it by choice would be if I could afford and get an upgraded seat with more space.
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Post by katlady on Feb 15, 2020 21:13:52 GMT
People are saying they don’t know why others have to recline their seats so violently. I think part of it is because the seats don’t recline smoothly. I try to recline slowly and gently, but sometimes the seats gets “stuck” and then woosh, it just goes back quicker than I intended it to.
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Post by gar on Feb 15, 2020 21:44:05 GMT
. Recliners- I get that the seats recline and it's your right to do it. What I don't get is- you're getting about a 2" recline- does it matter that much? . That obviously works both ways though yes?
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Post by cristelina on Feb 15, 2020 22:01:15 GMT
Holy Crap! I am now the elderly. I am one of those that needs to hold onto the seat in front of me to get up. I am traveling at the end of march. I will see if it is just a bad habit or a necessity.
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Post by cmpeter on Feb 15, 2020 22:21:22 GMT
Those man spreading dudes are the worst. I always pick an aisle seat and make sure to give the middle seat the arm rest. But, I shouldn’t have your leg resting against mine.
I’m happy to help someone get their bags up, distract a cranky baby or child. Once I helped an elderly lady get from curb side check in to her gate. She was anxious about taking the train/tram at ATL and flying on her own.
I don’t find air travel to be my most favorite thing, but I fly enough to have figured out the best tips and hacks and luckily have the airline status and credit card to help.
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Post by hennybutton on Feb 15, 2020 23:10:37 GMT
One of my biggest pet peeves is sitting next the guy (always a guy) who sits down and then spreads his knees as wide as possible and takes up my tiny leg room space. I will push back on that. On a rare occasion, someone will poke their elbows 5 or 6 inches into my space also. I usually get up and go to the bathroom and when I reseat myself, I push back. We are flying to Vegas on Thursday, so we'll see how it goes. We are flying Frontier, so I don't think reclining will be an issue. The woman next to me on our Air France flight back from Paris last year did the manspread--in shorts. Add insult to injury, the person in front of me reclined soon as the flight took off. I was in the middle seat I have never been so miserable in my life as on that flight. I literally could not move. My husband took me to a classical music concert for New Year's. The seats were roomy, but the man sitting next to me manspread and hogged the armrest. I spent the first half of the concert leaning towards my husband. I told DH that he should charge the guy 20% of the cost of the ticket since I lost use of about that much of my seat. After intermission, I did not move when seat hog sat back down. I sat upright in the middle of my seat. The asshole continued to manspead and had his leg against mine for the rest of the evening. It was gross. Because of these two experiences, I have vowed that I will speak up when people encroach on my space, especially on planes. Flying coach is miserable. I don't take up other people's space, and I would like them to not take up mine. Those stupid reclining seats a a throwback to a time when you had more room on the plane. If airlines are going to cram us in like sardines, they should disable the reline button.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 15, 2020 23:54:11 GMT
One of my biggest pet peeves is sitting next the guy (always a guy) who sits down and then spreads his knees as wide as possible and takes up my tiny leg room space. I will push back on that. On a rare occasion, someone will poke their elbows 5 or 6 inches into my space also. I usually get up and go to the bathroom and when I reseat myself, I push back. We are flying to Vegas on Thursday, so we'll see how it goes. We are flying Frontier, so I don't think reclining will be an issue. The woman next to me on our Air France flight back from Paris last year did the manspread--in shorts. Add insult to injury, the person in front of me reclined soon as the flight took off. I was in the middle seat I have never been so miserable in my life as on that flight. I literally could not move. My husband took me to a classical music concert for New Year's. The seats were roomy, but the man sitting next to me manspread and hogged the armrest. I spent the first half of the concert leaning towards my husband. I told DH that he should charge the guy 20% of the cost of the ticket since I lost use of about that much of my seat. After intermission, I did not move when seat hog sat back down. I sat upright in the middle of my seat. The asshole continued to manspead and had his leg against mine for the rest of the evening. It was gross. Because of these two experiences, I have vowed that I will speak up when people encroach on my space, especially on planes. Flying coach is miserable. I don't take up other people's space, and I would like them to not take up mine. Those stupid reclining seats a a throwback to a time when you had more room on the plane. If airlines are going to cram us in like sardines, they should disable the reline button.I think some of the problem could be fixed by making the seats all recline a few inches as standard. Some planes actually have their seat lean forward and reclining a bit makes them around 90 degrees.
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Post by NanaKate on Feb 16, 2020 0:33:23 GMT
The people I see doing it are mostly older people or people with mobility issues. I figure they're doing the best they can. This. Arthritis in my hips make standing up in that small cramped space very difficult, especially after sitting for a long time. I do do try to wait until the seat in front of me is empty though, and would really feel bad if I pulled someone’s hair...
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Post by ntsf on Feb 16, 2020 0:47:34 GMT
2 inch recline can mak a difference for me.. I know try to get premium economy on the long flights.. but I a dreading this summer.. I have to take economy (supervising high school kids) from sfo to london. aisle seat.. but it will be very uncomfortable.
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Post by sues on Feb 16, 2020 1:42:16 GMT
. Recliners- I get that the seats recline and it's your right to do it. What I don't get is- you're getting about a 2" recline- does it matter that much? . That obviously works both ways though yes? Not really. Seat space is limited. A recliner taking up 2" of my space makes a difference. It shoves my tray table that much more into my mid-section. It makes it hard to reach the things under the seat. The reclining seat creates an angular space in my space that is not useful. Me reclining my seat doesn't make up for it- it just puts me at a weird angle. 2" of a recline for the recliner- it's not like 'Whew! I can take a nap now that I have this extra 2"!'.
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*Marjorie*
Full Member
Posts: 360
Location: Hawaii
Jun 26, 2014 16:43:45 GMT
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Post by *Marjorie* on Feb 16, 2020 4:35:30 GMT
"Those man spreading dudes are the worst. I always pick an aisle seat and make sure to give the middle seat the arm rest. But, I shouldn’t have your leg resting against mine."
I'll never forget a flight I was on with my husband. He was in the aisle seat and I was in the middle. A gentleman was in the window seat. He had his sweaty leg pressed against mine for the whole flight. I told my husband the next time we fly if a man seats in the window seat I get the aisle. If its a lady I'll take the middle seat. LOL
Sadly I lost my husband five years ago so I now travel alone and I always choose an aisle seat.
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Post by gar on Feb 16, 2020 10:01:54 GMT
2" of a recline for the recliner- it's not like 'Whew! I can take a nap now that I have this extra 2"!'. According to at least a couple of people on here it does and for me, it's that small subconscious mental signal of getting ready to sleep and does help me drop off. I don't recline normally during reasonably short/daytime flights.
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Post by sues on Feb 18, 2020 1:36:05 GMT
2" of a recline for the recliner- it's not like 'Whew! I can take a nap now that I have this extra 2"!'. According to at least a couple of people on here it does and for me, it's that small subconscious mental signal of getting ready to sleep and does help me drop off. I don't recline normally during reasonably short/daytime flights. I get it. It's a thing. Recliners and non-recliners aren't going to agree. But knowing that it impacts someone behind me negatively in so many more ways than not reclining impacts me, would make me rethink the need.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 18, 2020 2:27:17 GMT
According to at least a couple of people on here it does and for me, it's that small subconscious mental signal of getting ready to sleep and does help me drop off. I don't recline normally during reasonably short/daytime flights. I get it. It's a thing. Recliners and non-recliners aren't going to agree. But knowing that it impacts someone behind me negatively in so many more ways than not reclining impacts me, would make me rethink the need. Perhaps this is why it doesn't bother me very much. I expect the person in front of me will want to sit as comfortably as possible, so I expect that people will recline (and generally do). Many seats only go back a very short distance and it doesn't affect me much, so I'll recline if the person in front of me does.
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Post by colleen on Feb 18, 2020 16:30:42 GMT
If you can't lift your bag over your head, check it! I've been hit on the head twice because people can't lift their bag to the overhead space. And if I hear one more little old lady say "someone will help me" as they're dragging their bag on board . . . My daughter is young, over six feet, however due to medical issues can’t put her bag in the overhead compartment. She will not check it as it has her medicine in it. Sometimes people have been nice to help her, other times she has encountered people rude as hell. The hardest has been her cane, it has to go in the overhead bins, but she has to be seated before not using it. Then how does she get it above? I would think she could do what my Dad does when I can't fly with him. Meds in a bag that fits under the seat in front of him and holds his cane until the flight attendant comes by to put it away for him.
I'm not trying to be bitchy, and I've helped a lot of people with bags because they were vertically challenged, or tired, or whatever. I'm just so over the 'I'm going to do what I want and to heck with everyone else attitude.'
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Post by Merge on Feb 18, 2020 17:13:10 GMT
Since we've moved on to other plane trip horror stories, I will mention that the last time we flew to Amsterdam (in coach), there were two boys about 6 and 8 years old behind us. They kicked our seats all night, kept the light on, played on their ipads with the sounds on, etc. When I asked the flight attendant where their parents were, she informed me that the parents were sitting in first class. It was a United flight with the Polaris cabin for first class, so those parents were fully reclined in their own little pod with a blanket and pillow, fast asleep, and had left the flight attendants and coach cabin passengers to deal with their monster children.
I don't think that should be allowed!
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Post by Merge on Feb 18, 2020 17:15:26 GMT
I'm still scratching my head over the reclining thing. Both United and Southwest planes (literally all we fly) recline in such a way that the lower portion of the back of the seat does not move. The reclining happens up where the passenger's head is. It literally does not affect leg room or move the tray table for the seat behind the recliner.
Have other airlines not updated their planes this way? I guess this is why I don't get the big deal.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,326
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Feb 18, 2020 18:21:43 GMT
I'm still scratching my head over the reclining thing. Both United and Southwest planes (literally all we fly) recline in such a way that the lower portion of the back of the seat does not move. The reclining happens up where the passenger's head is. It literally does not affect leg room or move the tray table for the seat behind the recliner. Have other airlines not updated their planes this way? I guess this is why I don't get the big deal.
We fly Delta and United and neither have updated their planes to the new seats in our market. If the person in front decides to full blown recline it'll send your drink flying and render your tray useless. So consider yourself very lucky to have access to a larger airport with newer planes.
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