My back hurts. Really bad. And not just because it is overstrained because of my weight but because I twisted myself into knots trying to sit in an airline seat. Anyone who is 'big' knows the agony of air travel like no one else. You see, I am not yet of the size when I have to purchase two tickets, and hopefully I will avoid that expensive calamity. So I fit into an airline seat. Very very snugly. As a result, I often end up calling the crew, or switching on the reading light everytime I move (since I end up pressing against the buttons placed in the hand rest). I also often end up plugging my headphones to the adjacent seat and watching the in on my movie screen (if by some miracle it is working).
I eat my airline meal at an angle because the tray table never sits flat over my thick legs. That is ok for most part, but it is difficult if you have to manage a beverage, an active child in the seat next to you, as well as a tilted tray.
Then of course there is the problem of the seat belt. In some airlines, I am comfortable enough with the seat belt size. But some airlines do require me to ask for an extension belt. It is a rather humiliating experience and every time I do it, it doesnt help that the crew member who hands it to you is an advertisement for staying in shape.
For most part, I am also pretty used to the edges of the seat digging into my sides. It really hurts and the circulation stops there on long flights. It is a funny feeling when I land and get into terminal buildings. Because my sides feel heavy, as the circulation starts getting back. So I feel like I am walkign with sandbags attached to my sides. Picture that and you will see how funny it feels.
This time I discovered another trap that was designed tohumiliate BIG people. They had these fashionable juice bars peppering the new terminal building at Dubai. I was really thirsty and thought fresh juice would be a really healthy way to snack. Then came the humiliation! They had bar stools and everytime I tried to climb on, it slid away! Then I finally managed to climb on and the silly thing just sunk ..adjusting to my weight. And after al that shenanigan I looked up to see an European lady looking at me with a puzzled expression. I guess she thought I was some village bumpkin who never sat on a bar stool before. No madam! I was an overweight person trying to climb into a seat that was designed mainly for people of perfect weight-height combinations. I finished my juice and as I was walking towards the gate some two hours later I saw a hapless middle aged business traveller of portly proportions with a similar problem and I smiled. I guess we all have a problem in some form or other, and mine wasn't unique!
But the next time you travel and see someone like me, don't just judge that hey are big. Try and see how much trouble it is for them to do what you are doing. Remember, we get tired and irritated too, because travellign isnt what it used to be. And then we have our other problems as well. And after all the weird positions and gymnastics we have to do, our backs really hurt. So smile as you pass us- with warmth. It would make our day.
I eat my airline meal at an angle because the tray table never sits flat over my thick legs. That is ok for most part, but it is difficult if you have to manage a beverage, an active child in the seat next to you, as well as a tilted tray.
Then of course there is the problem of the seat belt. In some airlines, I am comfortable enough with the seat belt size. But some airlines do require me to ask for an extension belt. It is a rather humiliating experience and every time I do it, it doesnt help that the crew member who hands it to you is an advertisement for staying in shape.
For most part, I am also pretty used to the edges of the seat digging into my sides. It really hurts and the circulation stops there on long flights. It is a funny feeling when I land and get into terminal buildings. Because my sides feel heavy, as the circulation starts getting back. So I feel like I am walkign with sandbags attached to my sides. Picture that and you will see how funny it feels.
This time I discovered another trap that was designed tohumiliate BIG people. They had these fashionable juice bars peppering the new terminal building at Dubai. I was really thirsty and thought fresh juice would be a really healthy way to snack. Then came the humiliation! They had bar stools and everytime I tried to climb on, it slid away! Then I finally managed to climb on and the silly thing just sunk ..adjusting to my weight. And after al that shenanigan I looked up to see an European lady looking at me with a puzzled expression. I guess she thought I was some village bumpkin who never sat on a bar stool before. No madam! I was an overweight person trying to climb into a seat that was designed mainly for people of perfect weight-height combinations. I finished my juice and as I was walking towards the gate some two hours later I saw a hapless middle aged business traveller of portly proportions with a similar problem and I smiled. I guess we all have a problem in some form or other, and mine wasn't unique!
But the next time you travel and see someone like me, don't just judge that hey are big. Try and see how much trouble it is for them to do what you are doing. Remember, we get tired and irritated too, because travellign isnt what it used to be. And then we have our other problems as well. And after all the weird positions and gymnastics we have to do, our backs really hurt. So smile as you pass us- with warmth. It would make our day.
