Airplanes – I hate em’.  I hate the feeling I get as the plane takes off.  I hate the smell.  I hate the fact that the seatbelts are too small and I have to ask for an extender.   I hate the fact that the person in front of me always leans their seat back.  I hate the food they serve (except for the twisted pretzels, those were good) But one of the things I hate the most is…

The Walk of Shame! – It’s exactly like it sounds.  When I get on the plane (especially being one of the last to board) I have to make the walk to my seat in complete shame.  Everyone is already seated and watching as I maneuver my way past every seat while carrying my bag.  It’s a difficult maneuver, as I’m 6’5 and some of the smaller planes seem to be exactly that height… so I’m not only trying to keep from rubbing my butt & groin on people’s shoulders as a turn sideways – I also have to duck and dodge the open luggage carriers above.  I feel like a football player doing some type of running drill. 

• One of the craziest things is as I walk towards everyone facing me is, I’m able to see people’s reactions.   
• Some make a quick double-check to ensure that the seat next to them is already taken.
• Some try not to look, as though I don’t see them peeking over their “flight safety guides”
• Some just blatantly stare with mouth wide open.
• Some hush their child who yells out “Mommy, look at that guy – he’s HUGE!”
• Some feel the need to make sure their friend can also enjoy in my misery.

But, just about everyone is hoping that I’m not going to sit next to them!  I wish I could see people’s reactions as I pass them… I imagine there are many relieved faces and “Thanks Gods” 

I made a little picture to give you an idea…

Once I finally reach my assigned seat & unlucky passenger I always feel the need to apologize for what is about to happen. (Inside I really just want to say, “bet you wish you would have bought a 1st class ticket ”) But instead I just apologize and take my seat (and some of theirs). 
And once I’m seated the experience is just beginning!

(I’m flying to England this Friday, so I will write after that about my experiences once I get to my seat!)

If you are a big person you surely have experienced the seats at places like amusement parks, ball games, restaurants booths, and know that these are all places we have a hard time fitting.
I recently went to Boston and attended a Boston Red Sox game, the game was amazing the atmosphere was great and the Red Sox played amazing and won by 10 runs. My problem was the fact that the seats were so small that I did not fit in them. I sat down on the very edge of the seat and slowly pushed myself back into the seat, so my sides were being smashed into the seat and my knees were hitting the seats in front of me. When the game was over my side was hurting a little bit and when we got back to the hotel I looked at my side, I had a HUGE bruise from a ball park seat.

With the world getting larger I am wondering why there isn’t a dedicated “Fat Person” seat or section? This may seem offensive to some but I would rather be able to do things in comfort and enjoy my experiences even more than not be able to do something at all.

I haven’t been to an amusement park and gotten any amusement in a very long time, due to the fact that I do not fit on the rides. I do not go to amusement parks any more because I know I will not enjoy myself, and I am sure there are others like me, so the companies are losing money from us.

I am just asking for one seat (amusement parks) or one section (ball parks), sure there will be bigger lines or people staring and making fun of the “Fat Section” but I am willing to take that to be able to enjoy myself (I’m used to people staring by now!).

- Post written By: Thomas Grathwohl