Proof.......The Yowie does exist!

[mooingchicken]

I fly about 50 or so sectors a year where all loads are weighed, including all pax. At 8000ft they have to be careful to get the weight correct or they don't get off the ground...even with a ski jump runway.

That's about 1200m and at the end of the jump, you're in the clouds!

What airport is this?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What airport is this?

Well most still refer to it as RGE but it isn't really. RGE was closed when a land slip took part of it for a ride downhill. It's a smaller strip at Kairik and it doesn't have an IATA code. The scenery coming in is absolutely stunning and as the strip is on the side of Mt Paiam, they actually fly pretty much straight at the mountain and then bank to stbd to land on the ski jump. It's actually a nice way to start the day.

 

[amaroo]

Well most still refer to it as RGE but it isn't really. RGE was closed when a land slip took part of it for a ride downhill. It's a smaller strip at Kairik and it doesn't have an IATA code. The scenery coming in is absolutely stunning and as the strip is on the side of Mt Paiam, they actually fly pretty much straight at the mountain and then bank to stbd to land on the ski jump. It's actually a nice way to start the day.

That's flying! Imagine quite an exhilarating experience...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That's flying! Imagine quite an exhilarating experience...

I think Gov't recommendations for runway slope is between 1 and 2 degrees depending upon length. RGE from memory is 11 degrees!....

I don't do the flying, I just sit and enjoy and let others worry about the incidentals like take off and landing!

 

[JohnK]

Interesting OP. Made me laugh.

By the way not all fat people are selfish....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Interesting OP. Made me laugh.

By the way not all fat people are selfish....

Yes I know....I might be described as one of them!:shock:

 

[Borisdog]

Well most still refer to it as RGE but it isn't really. RGE was closed when a land slip took part of it for a ride downhill. It's a smaller strip at Kairik and it doesn't have an IATA code. The scenery coming in is absolutely stunning and as the strip is on the side of Mt Paiam, they actually fly pretty much straight at the mountain and then bank to stbd to land on the ski jump. It's actually a nice way to start the day.

When I saw your photo I thought "Gee that looks like Kairik"

Saw one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life at Kairik, taking off in an Otter, when I used to work at Porgera. National Co-pilot's hand reaches up for throttle halfway down runway at almost take-off speed, large Caucasian hand slaps away co-pilots hand. Don't start me on those Russian chopper pilots. Or their MiLs for that matter

 

[rickylee]

I was once on an AA domestic flight where the guy next to me did the sensible thing (given his size) of booking a comfort seat. However, it was chaos at ORD that day and he was not able to get his two seats together at check-in (!!).

I decided that self-help was needed so, after take-off, I "borrowed" the boarding pass for his second seat and moved to it. It was a middle seat but at least I could breathe.

 

[Mattg]

I was once on an AA domestic flight where the guy next to me did the sensible thing (given his size) of booking a comfort seat. However, it was chaos at ORD that day and he was not able to get his two seats together at check-in (!!).

I decided that self-help was needed so, after take-off, I "borrowed" the boarding pass for his second seat and moved to it. It was a middle seat but at least I could breathe.

That seems like a sensible solution in this case.

But seriously, how can an airline sell a comfort seat then not make it next to the other seat??

 

[rickylee]

But seriously, how can an airline sell a comfort seat then not make it next to the other seat??

Oh, nothing surprises me with domestic flights in the USA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That seems like a sensible solution in this case.

But seriously, how can an airline sell a comfort seat then not make it next to the other seat??

Don't know about the USA, but if you were to book a comfort seat with Qantas, it must be in the same booking as the passenger. As such the seats can't be separated, or individually 'bumped'.

I know some people have simply purchased a second seat outright, changing the name slightly. That can run into problems with a duplicate booking, or a no-show when the second seat fails to board.

 

[rickylee]

With QF and almost every major Asian or European airline, that is the case. Your comfort seat would never be separated from you. However, that experience I have had on AA was not isolated - I have heard it happen enough times on different US airlines, though only ever on domestic flights. Perhaps it is their antiquated seat allocation system that cannot distinguish between comfort seats or separate passengers, or the staff just don't care that much. Maybe both.

I am just grateful I am not so wide that I have that issue myself ...

 

[Mattg]

Oh, nothing surprises me with domestic flights in the USA.

Oh, I agree with you. But that's seriously bad.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I am just grateful I am not so wide that I have that issue myself ...

On VA (and perhaps QF) the comfort seat earns SCs. A number of times I've debated the idea of booking one.....just to earn the added SCs (can be a good deal). I've always resisted more because I recognise I'm just too bloody lazy to bother with the potential pitfalls and inevitable arguments.....the flexi seems to win out (even though at times, not the best return on $$).

 

[Muzfly]

Yep, time we had a frame for over-size passengers right next to the one for checking if your carry-on luggage is within acceptable limits. Anyone who can't fit through the frame could be required to pay for an oversize seat (which the airlines will eventually have to install anyway). Everything's "user pays" these days and space occupied on a plane shouldn't be any different. Having your personal (and paid for) space invaded by an obese passenger just isn't on. The more often affected people complain and refuse to just accept it, the quicker airlines will be forced to find a solution.

Attitudes like this really annoy me. I am 194cm tall and an ex Rugby player so you can imagine I'm a "large frame" individual. I am however not overweight. I work out five mornings a week and reckon I could out run or swim most of those on this forum, particularly those with an attitude like Vetrade above. Even at 56 years of age I'd give most of his Geelong Cats players a fair run for his money. I find this "he's fat, charge him more" attitude quite offensive. Yes I am tall and large framed and find economy seating very cramped. I try as much as possible to not infringe on Mr Shorty's space. But I've no control over how much space an airline gives me unless I fly Prem Econ or Business which I do on every international flight. So this is one "Yowie" who is very considerate of his fellow passengers. Even if they are probably the same ones who bring on huge pieces of carry on cough and jam it into the overhead lockers. So after giving it some thought, lets embrace Vetrade's idea. Have the frame at boarding and us over-size pax pay more. But the short ones, the little ones go to the very back into seats with even less room than normal. After all if they're small or short they're not going to need it are they?

 

[coco50]

Years ago, flying from LAX - MSY on United, I was seated in the middle of a row of 3 when a rather obese woman occupied the aisle seat. She wasn't comfortable and nor was I. Thankfully the FA noticed this and moved the woman to a vacant row i first class. I felt sorry for the woman because I sensed that her being overweight was not a dietary problem but as the result of some disease or metabolic disorder. Anyway I'm sure that both of us arrived in MSY in much better condition than if the seating allocation had prevailed.

 

[daturtle]

If my memory serves, you are entitled to ask AND be relocated to another seat if the person next to you is invading your seat or they have poor hygiene. Father works with REX and I know it is the case on them YMMV.

 

[TomVexille]

If my memory serves, you are entitled to ask AND be relocated to another seat if the person next to you is invading your seat or they have poor hygiene. Father works with REX and I know it is the case on them YMMV.

That's fine until it's a 100% full flight

 

[Drummer]

Some of you seem to have missed the point of dealing with this issue tactfully. That said, like Muzfly (and of similar frame) I find the lord of the flies-like nature of some of these posts pretty offensive. Not all large/tall/fat pax are the same. Lumping all large folks into a generic pile is as stupid as telling Debbie Wardley she couldn't fly because of her gender. Flying y-class isn't fun for anyone, try it while being conscious of your size (genetically determined) and the fact your sitting next to some judgemental wee person!

 

[sacolman]

In my innocence I would hope that an appeal to the "Service Director" (as the Head Steward is called these days) would produce some results, such as being moved to another seat or being taken to a seat in Business Class. Btw. at around 1990 a very overweight was refused flying from London to Sydney by BOAC (or BEA) until he bought a First Class ticket and paid for the purchase of an extension to the seat-belt.