# economy class seating my ass... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 20, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542 "2003-10-20T16:48:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/61 "2003-10-23T00:07:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > \*\*No threat was implied nor intended. I was just pointing out that **odor eater’s** comments are on par with ringing a doorbell and running away. \*\* Oh this should be good. What comments were akin to “ringing a doorbell and running away”? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/62 "2003-10-23T00:19:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Yes, that sounds like a mature way to remedy the situation. :rolleyes: > > I think this is precisely what rubs me the wrong way. Are you really going to rest your book on their head? Are you really going to smother someone with a pillow? Should you be surprised if someone ends up beating you within an inch of your life because you tried to smother them? > > Drop the hyperbole, it makes you look like a 5 year old. > > Just as you don’t know the situation of the person behind you, you don’t know the situation of the person in front of you. Perhaps they have a back problem and they need to recline. You still going to go fisticuffs with them? It’s entirely possible to be just as much of a jerk, sabotaging chairs and threatening or intimidating someone who reclines, as the schmuck who rams their seat back on an elderly guy who can bend his knees too well. It cuts both ways. > > Again, if it’s a huge problem for you, I suggest you try a different airline, or take appropriate measures ahead of time. You might as well learn to do that anyway, because it’s never going to change. \*\* Do you buy three seats when you fly? One for you, one for your ego and one for your arrogance? Geez, pull the stick outa your ass and get over yourself. No one said anything about smothering people or starting fights. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/63 "2003-10-23T00:25:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chimera \* > \*\*Do you buy three seats when you fly? One for you, one for your ego and one for your arrogance? > > Geez, pull the stick outa your ass and get over yourself. > > No one said anything about smothering people or starting fights. \*\* Well, from what I’ve seen there are many people that advocate things like that, forgive me if I am unable to extrapolate you being tongue in cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/64 "2003-10-23T00:27:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Well, from what I’ve seen there are many people that advocate things like that, forgive me if I am unable to extrapolate you being tongue in cheek. \*\* You’re having this problem with me as well. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/65 "2003-10-23T00:32:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > \*\*You’re having this problem with me as well. \*\* So did **Unclebeer**. Were you waiting to break the news _after_ a Mod bitched us out? ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/66 "2003-10-23T01:38:05Z")
I’m 5’11. However, I have a short torso and disproportionately long legs (which would help me if I was a supermodel or a herbivore on the African savannah, but sadly imparts few benefits to my day-to-day life.) On cattle-class flights I slump down in my seat and stretch my long-ass legs out beneath the seat in front of me. Stretched out, my feet are so far forward that the passenger in front of me may inadvertantly touch them if they put their feet under their seat. When this happens for the first time, I quickly withdraw my feet… only to inch forward again – ever closer! – when the danger has passed. I am wily and patient. If I’m very still, the passenger in front of me is tricked into believing the intruding legs under their seat is hand luggage or a protruding part of the aeroplane. Like a trout lulled into sophor by the tickling fingers of a fisherman, they relax and forget the potential for invading feet under their seat. Then, fooled by the zen-like motionlessness of my socked feet, they begin to idly tap their feet against mine. Sometimes they get quite a rhythm going. But that’s when I twitch – pounce! – and move my feet in feigned discomfort. Horror of horrors, the passenger in front of me realises they have been playing inadvertant footsie with another man! Shocked and embarrassed, they gasp and quickly withdraw from underneath their seat – leaving my legs to enjoy the blissful free space. My conquered territory secured for another flight, I order a series of drinks, shoot them down and fall asleep. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/67 "2003-10-23T01:53:28Z")
I’m just pointing out that you’re aggressively jumping up people’s asses with little provocation. That’s an easy thing to do, because it is anonymous and there are no consequences. Therefore it is cowardly. **Unclebeer** was mistaken to consider this a veiled threat. I was not referring to physical consequences. Social consequences are much more imposing. We are surrounded by people we must deal with, and with whom we have relationships and are required to interract. We are afraid to offend. Now some meek types go through life intimidated and afraid. Yet nonetheless they want to be tough. They’re just afraid to really do it. So as children the way they fulfill this need to be aggressive or in charge or feel like they are better than other people is the only way they can without having to deal with the consequences. They ring doorbells and run away, or they hang out with a group of friend’s and are tough when they outnumber somebody, or they call dirty names at girls as they drive by in cars. Or, they attack and insult complete strangers without provocation on message boards. You know that nothing bad can come of calling me names on a message board. You know that nothing bad can come out of calling Chimera a name on a message board. Now some arguments and discussions get heated and that’s one thing, but you’re just going around taking potshots at people. You must get some satisfaction out of doing it, and if you feel the need you must not be getting that satisfaction elsewhere. So doing it when it doesn’t count is nothing more than impotent cowardice. You’ve started shit with me and Chimera without cause or provocation. What are you getting out of it? ---
**Author:** ![leenmi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f1d935/32.png) [@leenmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leenmi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/68 "2003-10-23T03:03:35Z")
Sailor, I just want to chime in with the “you are an ass” crowd. True, people are not “forced” to fly. Unless they have a need to go a few states over and don’t have the 20 some-odd hours to sit on the bus or the days it takes to take a train halfway across the country. Or should they drive that far? Hmmm? Oops, that can take a while, too. Guess they shouldn’t visit family. Or switch jobs if it’s business travel because, as you obviously know (you fucking ass), switching jobs is as simple as giving your notice and walking across the street. ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/69 "2003-10-23T03:51:33Z")
I’m only 5’7" and even I find some airline and theater seats uncomfortable (incidentally, Her Majesty’s Theatre in London… VERY close together, I couldn’t bring my knees together b/c of the seat in front of me!) There was an airline that did coach prices for first class seats (Legend), but American put them out of business. Much as I hate to recommend America (they did cause me to lose my job, after all), I will say that indeed, there is more legroom. Their coach has “just enough” room. United only does it in a few rows, fuck that. Sailor: you’re being an ass. Either that or you really have no concept of reality. Nobody’s holding a gun to their heads, but if they don’t fly, their family doesn’t eat, which is about as close to forcing someone as you can get, financially. They have no choice about the seats they fly in because their company is the one buying the seats and the pencil pushers could give a flying rat’s ass about their comfort. The average public seat ranges in width from 18-22", with tightwads trying to foist the 18" seats upon us. As we all know, your seat width affects not only your butt space, but shoulder space as well. As a moderately overweight person with wide shoulders, the 18" seat pisses me off to no end, I can’t imagine what that’s like for truly fat people. So along with ridiculous seat pitch (distance between seats), they’re also too narrow, reducing the amount of space people with long legs have to part their knees, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Short](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Short](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Short)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/70 "2003-10-23T04:19:28Z")
I fly once or twice a year, and am usually in bearable discomfort. I would love it if they could manage to get a vegetarian meal (going through a travel agent, I can’t say for certain these were requested). I have gone sans food twice and once subsisted on the donated meal of another kindly vegetarian. The people who put their seats back may not always be at fault. On one flight I was in a seat which would slowly recline while I was seated unless I leaned forward. Of course the economy size is cramped. The airlines have to make room for the new luxury class. > [@](#): > > From [This](http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0310/S00216.htm) > These include 12 fully-enclosed First Class suites with flat beds and doors which can be open or closed at will for privacy; quieter cabins; revolutionary lighting to help reset body clocks and minimise jetlag; the world’s most advanced inflight entertainment, with 500-plus channels; and Room Service, an Emirates first. Customers phone the galley to order meals, served at their seat at the time of their choice. I suspect the real reason we can’t have nail files on planes is they would otherwise become instruments of a Marxist revolution. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji_Kitakyusho)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/71 "2003-10-23T04:58:22Z")
Theater seats I don’t mind, since the backs are low enough that I can just stick my legs over them into the row ahead. You just have to get there early enough. Can’t do that on a plane, though. ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/72 "2003-10-23T06:00:45Z")
Hmm… somehow I don’t think that would go over well with your average Phantom of the Opera fan, especially if they paid £30 to sit in the seat in front of you. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/73 "2003-10-23T07:52:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cheddarsnax \* > \*\*What shitty airlines are you flying? I’ve flown ATA, Northwest, Delta, American, United, and Southwest, and I’ve never had anything more than (very) minor comfort issues. I’m 6’2" and I always fly coach. My tray tables have never had problems. And **Early Out** is right. American isn’t kidding when they claim more legroom. \*\* That’s what I’ve been sitting here wondering. I thought I’d flown them all. I’ve certainly been annoyed and inconvenienced by the “cattle car” mentality of the airlines in general, but I’ve never seen any of the physical problems as described here. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/74 "2003-10-23T08:10:48Z")
There IS one thing that I think is extremely thoughtless and inconsiderate, and that doesn’t have anything to do with seats reclining or not reclining. People, do NOT grab the seat ahead of you and use it to pull yourself up, if someone with LONG HAIR is still sitting in it!!! OUCH OUCH OUCH!!! This has happened to me too many times to count. I’m sitting there reading or even (if I’m lucky) dozing, and the person behind me decides to grab my seatback to haul themselves up to go the the lavatory or whatever. Thanks to static electricity, several strands of my hair usually end up sticking JUST in the area they’re likely to grab, resulting in a hard pull and usually pulling the hair out! Sheesh! lazy bums, use your own arm rests and legs to stand up! ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/75 "2003-10-23T14:00:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > **I’m just pointing out that you’re aggressively jumping up people’s asses with little provocation.** Yes lets take a look at the exchange. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by World Eater_ > **Schmuck** You replied… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > \*\*Hurling deprecations anonymously across the ether of the internet without provocation is inherently a cowardly and meaningless act. A man of consequence therefore eschews such tactics because he cannot give it wait by standing behind his statement mano a mano, so to speak. > > Those that favor the practice, such as yourself, tend to reveal themselves as immature and inconsequential little people who would otherwise be too timid to make such strong comments without the anonymity of the internet to protect them from the consequences. \*\* So let’s see here, I call you a schmuck, and you comeback with the above gem. Did you get lost and wander into the wrong forum? :rolleyes: \*\* > [@](#): > > That’s an easy thing to do, because it is anonymous and there are no consequences. Therefore it is cowardly.\*\* You are aware the same rules apply to you as well? \*\* > [@](#): > > **Unclebeer** was mistaken to consider this a veiled threat. I was not referring to physical consequences. \*\* And you were mistaken for writing that post, 'fess up. \*\* > [@](#): > > Social consequences are much more imposing. We are surrounded by people we must deal with, and with whom we have relationships and are required to interract. > > We are afraid to offend.\*\* Social commentary from, **Scylla** , classic. \*\* > [@](#): > > Now some meek types go through life intimidated and afraid. Yet nonetheless they want to be tough. They’re just afraid to really do it. > > So as children the way they fulfill this need to be aggressive or in charge or feel like they are better than other people is the only way they can without having to deal with the consequences. They ring doorbells and run away, or they hang out with a group of friend’s and are tough when they outnumber somebody, or they call dirty names at girls as they drive by in cars.\*\* Sounds like something you’d say about the Democrats, do you really believe all this shit? Oh wait I get it, this is supposed to apply to me. :rolleyes: \*\* > [@](#): > > Or, > > they attack and insult complete strangers without provocation on message boards. > > You know that nothing bad can come of calling me names on a message board. You know that nothing bad can come out of calling Chimera a name on a message board.\*\* And coming full circle, nothing bad can come of questioning someone’s manhood on a message board either. Amazing that you even bothered to type this stuff, as you are totally unaware of how much of an ass this makes you look. \*\* > [@](#): > > Now some arguments and discussions get heated and that’s one thing, but you’re just going around taking potshots at people.\*\* Yes, og forbid someone calls you a “schmuck” in the pit. The horror, the horror. :rolleyes: \*\* > [@](#): > > You must get some satisfaction out of doing it, and if you feel the need you must not be getting that satisfaction elsewhere.\*\* And I see that you are sorely lacking people IRL for your armchair psychoanalysis. \*\* > [@](#): > > So doing it when it doesn’t count is nothing more than impotent cowardice.\*\* I like this, the irony meter has now tipped to “ludicrous”. \*\* > [@](#): > > You’ve started shit with me and Chimera without cause or provocation. > > What are you getting out of it? \*\* Grow some fucking skin already. Judging from the tizzy you get into when called one of the mildest insults known to man, you must lead a sad miserable little existence. Now unless you desire to push your foot further down your throat, I think we’re done here, as jeopardizing my posting privileges on the likes of you is about as smart as fucking a Cuisinart. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/76 "2003-10-23T14:38:06Z")
Perfectly funny material, all shot to hell. See if I try to make **you** guys laugh any more. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/77 "2003-10-23T14:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sauron \* > \*\*Perfectly funny material, all shot to hell. > > See if I try to make **you** guys laugh any more. \*\* A+ material, I thought it was funny as hell. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/78 "2003-10-23T15:12:50Z")
No you didn’t. I can tell. I’m gonna have to learn to juggle, aren’t I? Tough crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Apricot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Apricot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apricot)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/79 "2003-10-23T16:18:26Z")
I think a lot of it is proportions. I happen to be long-legged. I’m only 5’9’’, but I have a 34" inseam. With my back flat against the seat, my knees make contact with the seat in front. I am lucky enough to have room in the seat to shift sideways and make room, but I have been next to very tall men who didn’t have room to shift because they were broad, too. I had my shoulders hang over into the seats on the left and right only once. It was an asian carrier. Thank goodness I was traveling with my husband, as I could lean on him to give my other seatmate a full amount of seat. On a humerous note, the most fun I had on a flight was with two very fat men. I was the last person on the plane and the only seat left was the center seat between really big guys. Their bellies hung completely over my armrests and into my seat. I was covered in their sweat when I got off the plane. Luckily, it was only a 1.5 hour flight and they were very apologetic. They brought snacks (seriously) and we snacked and belly laughed the whole flight. They were wicked funny guys. (I’ve covered every fat guy stereotype there, I think: fat people bring snacks, are really funny, and sweat a lot. However, it’s a true story). ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542/80 "2003-10-24T00:03:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sauron \* > \*\*Perfectly funny material, all shot to hell. > > See if I try to make **you** guys laugh any more. \*\* I laughed at your post. Now that you’ve guilted me into posting to thank you for the joy you’ve brought me, I’ll also mention that I laughed even harder at **Jervoise** ’s post. Ha! Take that, Mr. Second Funniest! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economy-class-seating-my-ass/208542.md?page=5)