Originally posted by Seagoon
Flew to Mississippi and back recently on a Canadair Regional Jet. I'd flown in one with a three across (2 and 1) configuration, which while cramped was not too bad, this one however had a 2 and 2 configuration that was just miserable. The stewardesses actually had to move passengers out of their assigned seating in order to try and make room for some of the bigger people on the plane. I'm only 5'9 and weigh 180 lbs and the guy next to me wasn't much larger, and we spent the entire trip in constant body contact. The "seat" didn't recline more than a few milimeters and was so upright that I arrived with a vicious neck ache. It felt like I'd been leaning with my back against a wall for over an hour. The toilet was the most ludicrously small convenience I've ever been in. I literally felt like I was relieving myself in one of my daughter's play kitchen sets. And coffee? Can I just get some coffee or my own personal grown up size can of soda? And for this I paid over half a grand? Oy.
Overall, I'm sad to say that my flying experience has done nothing but decline since the 1970s. At this point, I seriously expect we'll end up flying standing up holding on to a strap in a steel tube.
Seagoon I hate, despise and loathe RJs for those exact reasons. Unfortunately I might be the bigger guy. 6'0 and 220lbs. My last trip was from Columbus to Charlotte in an RJ and onward to Orlando in a 757. I actually am not sure which would've been worse. I had my window seat...that you can't see out of in the CRJ. I was assigned to the middle seat in the 75. Guy walks up the aisle and asks if I'd like the window seat, I ask if he's sure to which he replies to the affirmative and I am no longer relegated to spend my flight with my arms in my lap curving my shoulders forward waiting for the never ending hell to end.
Two weeks later while waiting to board I arrive early. Typing away on my laptop and what not the flight for Washington DC leaves and the people start arriving for the flight from Orlando to Columbus...non-stop. A glance to the right...to the left...straight ahead. "Uh-oh." runs through my mind. It's like being in line at walmart. Loud kids with parent's who don't care enough to think that maybe not everyone wants to hear them whine about every little thing. That it's okay to run around the boarding area and jump on the seats and rock you back and forth. Aviation expert dad's telling their kids the what-for and why-is of aviation and airlines while their kids stuff their face with carnie food.
Tank top shirts, Mickey Mouse and joe dirt's long lost relatives all start to swarm around the airplane.
Like music to my ears "We have a limited number of upgrades to first class for $100" comes over the speaker systems. I nearly threw my computer on the floor trying to race to get to the gate agent and snag up the deal of a lifetime. I wound up spending an extra $100 of my company's money, drinking myself into a nice nap and eating these fancy chocolate wafery things while sitting in first class. Wearing shorts
Good thing I was traveling alone!
