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Airline Madness Championship: Obese people who take up two seats vs. Legroom
Airline Madness is Gadling's tournament of airline annoyances. You can catch up on all of the previous tournament action here.
In a tournament full of upsets and unexpected outcomes, it's fitting that the Airline Madness championship match-up does not feature the bracket's top seed. Instead, it all comes down to #2 Legroom and #13 Obese people who take up two seats. In the Final Four, Obese people who take up two seats proved to be too big for all of those other annoying passengers combined. Legroom, meanwhile, kicked those change fees and standby charges off the plane. That's how we got here, but what happens next is, once again, up to you. Only one of these truly annoying airline pet peeves will be declared the ultimate annoyance of the skies and your votes will decide it.
In a tournament full of upsets and unexpected outcomes, it's fitting that the Airline Madness championship match-up does not feature the bracket's top seed. Instead, it all comes down to #2 Legroom and #13 Obese people who take up two seats. In the Final Four, Obese people who take up two seats proved to be too big for all of those other annoying passengers combined. Legroom, meanwhile, kicked those change fees and standby charges off the plane. That's how we got here, but what happens next is, once again, up to you. Only one of these truly annoying airline pet peeves will be declared the ultimate annoyance of the skies and your votes will decide it.
It's almost unbelievable that a #13 seed could advance to the finals, but Obese people who take up two seats have proven to be bigger than any challengers. Legroom has proven itself deserving of its #2 seed by showing that it's a pain in the neck as much as it's a pain in the knees.
Which airline annoyance deserves to be named champion? Vote now and share your thoughts in the comments!
Championship voting ends at 11:59PM EDT on Monday, April 2.
In case you need help deciding, let's take a look at these two aviation irritations:
#2 Legroom
The average seat pitch in economy class is between 29 inches and 30 inches. That doesn't allow for much legroom, no matter how much thinner they make the seat-backs. You don't need to be freakishly tall to feel cramped once you fold yourself into your seat. Want more legroom? Well, now the airlines make you pay for exit row seats or "Premium Economy," which is nothing more than an economy seat with the legroom that was offered to everyone a decade ago. These days, you might have more personal space in a dog crate in the luggage compartment.
#13 Obese people who take up two seats
Not all obese people are created equally. Some overeat, others have genetic disorders, while many suffer from crippling medical issues. Regardless of the reason, however, there is no excuse for taking up someone else's space. I paid for my seat and only I get to use it. If you can't fit in one seat, shouldn't you have to pay for the space that you do need? It's not a punishment; it's just common sense. Once a child becomes too large to sit on his parent's lap, he needs his own seat. Shouldn't the same hold true once your waistline is too large to fit in a single seat?
More Airline Madness:
Final Four
Second round match-ups:
#1 Annoying Passengers vs. #9 People who get mad at people who recline their seats
#12 Inattentive parents of crying babies vs. #13 Obese people who take up two seats
#6 Change fees/no free standby vs. #3 Lack of free food/prices for food
#7 Rude airline staff vs. #2 Legroom
First round match-ups
#1 Annoying passengers vs. #16 Disgusting bathrooms
#2 Legroom vs. #15 Inefficient boarding procedures
#3 Lack of free food/prices for food vs. #14 Cold cabin/no blankets
#4 Baggage Fees vs. #13 Obese people who take up two seats
#5 Lack of overhead space vs. Inattentive parents of crying babies
#6 Change fees/no free standby vs. #11 Lack of personal entertainment/charging for entertainment
#7 Rude airline staff vs. #10 Having to turn off electronic devices during takeoff & landing
#8 People who recline their seats vs. #9 People who get mad at people who recline their seats
Hotel Madness: Gadling's tournament of airline annoyances
Catch up on all the Airline Madness here.
Which airline annoyance deserves to be named champion? Vote now and share your thoughts in the comments!
| Obese people who take up two seats | |
|---|---|
| Legroom |
Championship voting ends at 11:59PM EDT on Monday, April 2.
In case you need help deciding, let's take a look at these two aviation irritations:
#2 Legroom
The average seat pitch in economy class is between 29 inches and 30 inches. That doesn't allow for much legroom, no matter how much thinner they make the seat-backs. You don't need to be freakishly tall to feel cramped once you fold yourself into your seat. Want more legroom? Well, now the airlines make you pay for exit row seats or "Premium Economy," which is nothing more than an economy seat with the legroom that was offered to everyone a decade ago. These days, you might have more personal space in a dog crate in the luggage compartment.
#13 Obese people who take up two seats
Not all obese people are created equally. Some overeat, others have genetic disorders, while many suffer from crippling medical issues. Regardless of the reason, however, there is no excuse for taking up someone else's space. I paid for my seat and only I get to use it. If you can't fit in one seat, shouldn't you have to pay for the space that you do need? It's not a punishment; it's just common sense. Once a child becomes too large to sit on his parent's lap, he needs his own seat. Shouldn't the same hold true once your waistline is too large to fit in a single seat?
More Airline Madness:
Final Four
Second round match-ups:
#1 Annoying Passengers vs. #9 People who get mad at people who recline their seats
#12 Inattentive parents of crying babies vs. #13 Obese people who take up two seats
#6 Change fees/no free standby vs. #3 Lack of free food/prices for food
#7 Rude airline staff vs. #2 Legroom
First round match-ups
#1 Annoying passengers vs. #16 Disgusting bathrooms
#2 Legroom vs. #15 Inefficient boarding procedures
#3 Lack of free food/prices for food vs. #14 Cold cabin/no blankets
#4 Baggage Fees vs. #13 Obese people who take up two seats
#5 Lack of overhead space vs. Inattentive parents of crying babies
#6 Change fees/no free standby vs. #11 Lack of personal entertainment/charging for entertainment
#7 Rude airline staff vs. #10 Having to turn off electronic devices during takeoff & landing
#8 People who recline their seats vs. #9 People who get mad at people who recline their seats
Hotel Madness: Gadling's tournament of airline annoyances
Catch up on all the Airline Madness here.
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ellen Mar 30th 2012 11:46AM
We were just on a cross country flight and this rather large man came down the aisle and was eyeing the empty seat next to us. Thank goodness his seat was across the aisle. But the funny part was the last people aboard were a HUGE couple and their seats were next to his. I don't know how they did it since 2 of them had to use belt extenders but they managed to sit through the 4 hour flight. I bet at least one of them wished they bought an extra seat!
Chris Mar 29th 2012 2:33PM
It doesn't necessarily need to be *obese* people that take up more than one seat, it can be anyone. Tall, wide, or just plain inconsiderate. I've sat next to very petite women who felt like the entirety of the armrest and a little ways beyond was hers to dominate, and I've sat next to obese people that were courteous enough to at least try to squeeze themselves into the smallest space they could possibly occupy.
Julia Mar 30th 2012 11:54AM
Please apologize, or better, take this down. Legroom is one thing, but it is INCREDIBLY hurtful to target larger passengers in this way. I also just complained about this to you on Twitter, and I hope you take it seriously. I know we in the travel industry talk candidly about the problems of fitting people into very regimented plane and seat sizes, but people are still people, and should be treated respectfully.
I usually like Gadling a lot, but this is offensive.
Mike Barish Mar 30th 2012 11:55AM
Julia, there are no judgements in this post. However, it is an issue in travel that bothers many travelers and merited inclusion in this feature.
Julia Mar 30th 2012 11:59AM
Except that there ARE judgments in this post. It would be one thing if the post zeroed in on small seats and lack of personal space. But the wording here blames the person, and guess what? Some larger people are definitely reading this right now, and being hurt by it. There is an assumption here that all the readers are thin and being inconvenienced, when if the post would talk about the lack of space, then you include all passengers in the conversation.