Seating WWYD

[mrs.jacinthe]

I need opinions.  I'll try to be brief, but I'm kind of wordy.  I apologize.  First, the quick facts:

• I am of the larger variety at the moment, specifically, wide hipped.  This makes me super self conscious on airplanes and because I'm so self conscious, I spend the entire flight very tense, basically trying to keep my pudge to myself.  (i.e. trying to keep my hip from touching the hip of the person in the seat next to me).  I do not meet airline specifications for person of size.
  

• I am flying American next month for a 6.5+ hour work-related trip (one 5 hour flight and one 1.5 hour flight).  I did not pay for my own ticket.
• This is an airline I haven't flown in 10+ years, so I don't have status or miles with them, so no free upgrade to first.
  
• I am currently stuck in an orthopedic boot and by this time next month, who freaking KNOWS what appliance I'll have strapped to my leg.  So, I can't do emergency exit row seats.
• I prefer window seats.
• My originating flight on the outbound leg is a red-eye, but all other flights are during normal hours.

With these facts in mind, I have reached a bit of a conundrum. Due to my inability to relax because of my pudge, I'm worried I won't get any sleep at ALL on the outbound flight and will be a hot mess at my meetings that day.  My options are:

1. Stick with my original seat choices and just deal with the inconvenience for 5 hours.
2. Pay $54+ to relocate myself to the front row of economy in order to get into the slightly narrower but solid armrest-ed seat up there.
3. Buy miles for the upgrade to first, which right now would put me at ~$475-ish with some miles left over.
4. Pay cash for the upgrade to first, which will cost me ~$450 but nets nothing else except the perks of First.  

I normally would not fly first on a domestic product without a free upgrade (and lets be realistic, I can't afford to fly first on a normal international flight and will likely never earn enough miles to get that upgrade), but I'm concerned that between the pudge and the potential for boot or god-knows-what glommed onto my foot, it's the better option.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?  WWYD?  (Yes, I know I'm overthinking this.  I have anxiety and some weird quirks and I can't help it.)

[ribollita]

$54

Very odd but I have this same AA flight pattern coming up and never fly AA. I am used to upgrades on my preferred airline due to status. I paid $55 for each of my 5hr flights and it will be well worth it.

Eta my employer actually paid the $55 but we paid it for my husband to sit next to me as he’s coming along.

Eta if you want to fly first, go for it and don’t look back. YOLO and you’re injured!

[goldengirlz]

Is that $475 RT? Or one way?

I’ve been pretty bad lately (from an MM perspective at least!) about paying to upgrade to either premium economy or first on work trips if the price seems reasonable. I’m not sure if $475 is “reasonable” to you or not but if it fits in the budget, I think the perks in first are pretty worth it.

Also, I once spent $900 to change a flight so I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s school trip to a friggin’ farm so you know, we all have our priorities.

But I’m sorry you’re feeling self-conscious. A lot of people are in the same boat and the way airlines pack people in like sardines is ridiculous.

[alleinesein]

Pay the $$$ and upgrade to first. If you need to sleep on this flight, you aren't going to get any restful sleep crammed in coach. I've flown with a sprained ankle (22 hrs on a plane) and i wouldve sold body parts to be seated in business or coach just so i could stretch out my leg and elevate it.

[emilyinchile]

I'd pay the $54 without thinking twice if you'll be comfortable there. I mean, I pay those kind of fees just to be closer to the front of the plane, so definitely I'd pay it if it'll make you feel better and let you sleep! If you're going to be so physically uncomfortable in the narrow seat that you don't sleep anyway, then I wouldn't pay that money just so that you're awake but squished instead of awake but tense.

Option B would be pay $54 plus take some kind of sleep aid to ensure you're able to arrive in a non-zombie state.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend $500 on this flight, but if that's what's going to make you comfortable then go for it. We all have our travel and budget preferences, and that's fine.

[orangello]

Have you checked into possibly purchasing an extra seat? It may be less expensive than upgrading. Otherwise, I would pay the $ for first if it's in your budget - the stress alleviation alone would make it worth it.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 15, 2018 22:43:10 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Is that $475 RT? Or one way?

I’ve been pretty bad lately (from an MM perspective at least!) about paying to upgrade to either premium economy or first on work trips if the price seems reasonable. I’m not sure if $475 is “reasonable” to you or not but if it fits in the budget, I think the perks in first are pretty worth it.

Also, I once spent $900 to change a flight so I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s school trip to a friggin’ farm so you know, we all have our priorities.

But I’m sorry you’re feeling self-conscious. A lot of people are in the same boat and the way airlines pack people in like sardines is ridiculous.

Its one way.  I really don't need the extra space except to be able to relax enough to sleep, so I'm not worried about the return trip.  Not excited about it, but not concerned.  I can squish in and just stress a little; it'll help me sleep better when I get home.  

And thanks.  I never used to feel self conscious about my pudge, but ever since they've started making the seats narrower and closer together, I stress about it.  I'll put the window armrest up if I can and that gives me enough room when not sleeping.  

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 16, 2018 7:01:09 GMT -5 orangello said:

Have you checked into possibly purchasing an extra seat? It may be less expensive than upgrading. Otherwise, I would pay the $ for first if it's in your budget - the stress alleviation alone would make it worth it.

I had not considered it because I don't meet the guidelines for person of size.  Do they allow a random extra seat as a non-accommodation?

(If so, that would be about $180 one way and might be worthwhile.)

[udscoobychick]

Can you see if work will cover the upgrade due to the orthopedic boot? I know my work paid for business class for an employee when he was flying back from surgery and had to be able to lay flat.

[mrssandro]

I would pay $54 and not think twice. I would try to submit as a expense since you are traveling for work and you need that extra room for the boot.

[wildrice]

I agree that since you have the boot, your work might be willing to pay.

I'd probably pay the $54, but definitely not the $475. Honestly, the people around you can deal. I am not spending that much money so that some asshole isn't bothered by my body.

That said, I understand what you mean. I am probably a similar size (not considered "of size" but the seats are too narrow for my size comfortably) and I end up folded up in my seat a lot more than I should because I am not comfortable with myself and don't want to bother others. So, despite my above advice I totally empathize with you.

[emilyinchile]

FWIW, I will say that when I've been in situations where the person next to me is wider than the seat and therefore takes up some of my space, yes I am bummed that I'm going to have a bit less room, but I don't at all blame the person. I think about how airlines are pieces of shit that don't make human-sized seats. And anyone who would blame you is a dick who is incapable of intelligent thought, so screw them, and I hope you fall asleep on their shoulder just so they're REALLY uncomfortable.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 16, 2018 12:30:16 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

FWIW, I will say that when I've been in situations where the person next to me is wider than the seat and therefore takes up some of my space, yes I am bummed that I'm going to have a bit less room, but I don't at all blame the person. I think about how airlines are pieces of shit that don't make human-sized seats. And anyone who would blame you is a dick who is incapable of intelligent thought, so screw them, and I hope you fall asleep on their shoulder just so they're REALLY uncomfortable.

If I were slightly skinnier so that it was obvious what I was doing versus just being fat, I've totally been tempted to try manspreading when seated next to a dude who is attempting to take up too much space.  Specifically, I am irritated by the ones who don't need to manspread to combat tiny amounts of legroom (I don't blame the ones who just can't fit their knees in the space correctly because of height).  Or who take up the inside armrest, which are both clearly deserved by the poor soul stuck in the middle seat.  

But alas, at my current size, I fear I'd get complained about because "fat" and removed from the plane.  Again, not an actual customer of size, but juuuuust wide enough that I think I could be accused of it.

[emilyinchile]

Aug 16, 2018 13:14:31 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

If I were slightly skinnier so that it was obvious what I was doing versus just being fat, I've totally been tempted to try manspreading when seated next to a dude who is attempting to take up too much space.  Specifically, I am irritated by the ones who don't need to manspread to combat tiny amounts of legroom (I don't blame the ones who just can't fit their knees in the space correctly because of height).  Or who take up the inside armrest, which are both clearly deserved by the poor soul stuck in the middle seat.  

But alas, at my current size, I fear I'd get complained about because "fat" and removed from the plane.  Again, not an actual customer of size, but juuuuust wide enough that I think I could be accused of it.

Is this possible? I thought that if you can fasten your seatbelt, you can sit in your seat, end of story, tough shit to anyone who doesn't like it?

And as far as your first paragraph goes, people who purposely take up more than their given space are awful and deserve to be "accidentally" elbowed in their sides until they relinquish MY armrest. They are not included in my understanding of how some people's bodies are just too big for the 3.7 cubic inches airlines give us these days

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 16, 2018 15:19:47 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Aug 16, 2018 13:14:31 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

If I were slightly skinnier so that it was obvious what I was doing versus just being fat, I've totally been tempted to try manspreading when seated next to a dude who is attempting to take up too much space.  Specifically, I am irritated by the ones who don't need to manspread to combat tiny amounts of legroom (I don't blame the ones who just can't fit their knees in the space correctly because of height).  Or who take up the inside armrest, which are both clearly deserved by the poor soul stuck in the middle seat.  

But alas, at my current size, I fear I'd get complained about because "fat" and removed from the plane.  Again, not an actual customer of size, but juuuuust wide enough that I think I could be accused of it.

Is this possible? I thought that if you can fasten your seatbelt, you can sit in your seat, end of story, tough shit to anyone who doesn't like it?

And as far as your first paragraph goes, people who purposely take up more than their given space are awful and deserve to be "accidentally" elbowed in their sides until they relinquish MY armrest. They are not included in my understanding of how some people's bodies are just too big for the 3.7 cubic inches airlines give us these days

Given what people have been dragged off airplanes for lately ... I don't want to test the theory.  But I'd presume so, yes.  

I do, however, make sure when I'm sitting next to an unnecessary manspreader that I *do* take up my entire allotted space.  No shame there.  I will stick my legs out in such a way that the outside of my leg is *exactly* a continuation of the edge of the seat.  LOL

[orangello]

Aug 16, 2018 8:11:22 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Aug 16, 2018 7:01:09 GMT -5 orangello said:

Have you checked into possibly purchasing an extra seat? It may be less expensive than upgrading. Otherwise, I would pay the $ for first if it's in your budget - the stress alleviation alone would make it worth it.

I had not considered it because I don't meet the guidelines for person of size.  Do they allow a random extra seat as a non-accommodation?

(If so, that would be about $180 one way and might be worthwhile.)

I don’t know, unfortunately. It may be worth a call though!

[MDmomof2]

Since you are flying for work and need to be alert at meetings the following day, I think it's reasonable to ask to be rescheduled on a non red-eye flight. It's only a 5 hour flight, even if you are totally comfortable you are not going to get more than 4 hours of sleep and that's not conducive to conducting business the next day.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 17, 2018 9:11:27 GMT -5 MDmomof2 said:

Since you are flying for work and need to be alert at meetings the following day, I think it's reasonable to ask to be rescheduled on a non red-eye flight. It's only a 5 hour flight, even if you are totally comfortable you are not going to get more than 4 hours of sleep and that's not conducive to conducting business the next day.

Interestingly, red-eyes are my preference when travelling west to east.  It causes the least difficulty adjusting to a new time zone for me and 4+ hours of sleep, while not ideal, is something I am capable of functioning on quite well, having done it often on other flights.  This is the earliest red-eye I've ever taken (it leaves at like 10:30 versus most of our other airlines that leave at 11:30 or later), but I think it'll work out.  I just need to get *some* sleep versus my concern of not getting any due to stress.  I can function on no sleep too, but with substantially worse results, LOL.