As someone who regularly flies from BDL on AA, I'm disappointed that I haven't sat next to Ralph for an awkward conversation 35,000 ft over Ohio.

/Biz traveler so I'm probably the one he's annoyed with.

TheYeti: Exceptions do happen. And on Saturday, after calls to the airline's executive offices and to msnbc.com, Nader was able to persuade the airline to place him in an aisle seat for his original $750 fare.

See, he's just a regular Joe.

Ralph, book earlier....and it wasn't like he was denied a seat. He bought a seat, and he had a seat.

Yeah... not sure what the problem is here.

Fark headline resembled the article in the sense that Ralph Nader and American Airlines were in both. Other than that...

I don't fly anymore due to the TSA. However, my M.O. would be to book a seat right behind the Economy Plus section on a flight at an odd time. Then, when the seatbelt light turns off, I move forward. The FAs never cared and the other passengers would look at me quizzically.

One time, I was on a flight in the center seat and a passenger farther up was upset that she had no window to look out of. I offered to seat swap with her. She was petite and had no problem with less legroom and elbow room. I moved to her seat and read a book.

Babwa Wawa: I fly in and out of Hartford/Bradley nearly every week, but unfortunately to different destinations.

The airlines have sliced it up nicely such that there's usually no choice in airline when you're going to a particular city.

Is your home airport a hub for anyone? If not, then you are riding spoke routes to hubs. And yes, airlines try to avoid sharing a hub with another airline. If you are flying major city to major city, you usually have many choices. I fly SFO to LAX regularly and usually have a choice of all airlines, with a flight leaving every 20 minutes or so all day.

It could also be worse. When I lived in Montana and was flying to somewhere out of Montana (i.e. beyond the range of a 6 seat prop plane), Delta was my only choice, with 2 flights a day, and had to go through Salt Lake, no matter what my destination. Still, the silver lining was: only one gate, so you couldn't get lost or have to walk forever, only 40 people getting on the plane, so no crowding.

I'm 6'5, so needless to say, I hate flying coach in airplanes.

I once flew cross country and this very small woman had the aisle seat. I politely asked if she'd be willing to trade me seats, and offered to pay her the difference in ticket prices with cash (I don't know if there WERE, but I was trying to be nice).

She flatly refused.The worst part was that she was so small, she sat Indian-style in her chain for half the flight.

I'm generally a very kind guy, but I am not a nice person after a couple hours of cramping legs. So I kept farting towards her, breathing heavily, "accidentally" bumping her, and took at least 7-8 bathroom breaks in the course of a few hours.

The guy sitting beside me who was in the window seat was laughing the whole time. He knew exactly what was going on.

HellRaisingHoosier: I'm 6'5, so needless to say, I hate flying coach in airplanes.

I once flew cross country and this very small woman had the aisle seat. I politely asked if she'd be willing to trade me seats, and offered to pay her the difference in ticket prices with cash (I don't know if there WERE, but I was trying to be nice).

She flatly refused.The worst part was that she was so small, she sat Indian-style in her chain for half the flight.

I'm generally a very kind guy, but I am not a nice person after a couple hours of cramping legs. So I kept farting towards her, breathing heavily, "accidentally" bumping her, and took at least 7-8 bathroom breaks in the course of a few hours.

The guy sitting beside me who was in the window seat was laughing the whole time. He knew exactly what was going on.

Dick move on your part. She didn't want to trade or sell you her aisle seat, which is her prerogative. She wasn't rude to you, yet you punished her with farts, bumping into, breathing on her, and generally just being an asshole, all because you didn't get what you wanted? And you're proud of this?

I'm sorry, but the blame lies completely with you. You owe that woman an apology.

In other news, American Airlines still exists.

troymccluresf: Yeah... not sure what the problem is here.

The airlines are creating false shortages so that customers have to pay extra to get common requests. They are screwing you every way imaginable.

You're welcome.

HellRaisingHoosier: I'm 6'5, so needless to say, I hate flying coach in airplanes.

I once flew cross country and this very small woman had the aisle seat. I politely asked if she'd be willing to trade me seats, and offered to pay her the difference in ticket prices with cash (I don't know if there WERE, but I was trying to be nice).

She flatly refused.The worst part was that she was so small, she sat Indian-style in her chain for half the flight.

I'm generally a very kind guy, but I am not a nice person after a couple hours of cramping legs. So I kept farting towards her, breathing heavily, "accidentally" bumping her, and took at least 7-8 bathroom breaks in the course of a few hours.

The guy sitting beside me who was in the window seat was laughing the whole time. He knew exactly what was going on.

You realize that farts aren't really directional, don't you? Everybody within several rows had to suffer because of you. And with you taking 7-8 bathroom breaks, everybody probably knew it was you. Jerk.

I love flying, but I hate flying. Airlines are making everything about it miserable. Regulation, anyone?

I'm a very small woman with claustrophobia and I *hate* climbing into a metal tube, being trapped and shaken by turbulence in there with no place for refuge.

I once had to fly cross country (my mother been hospitalized unexpectedly) and my only solace was that I had an aisle seat. In the middle seat next to me was a really big guy, tall. He asked if I would swap seats with him and even tried to bribe me to sit between him and the fat guy in the window seat. I refused as politely as I could while doing my best not to freak the hell out.

He spent the rest of the flight deliberately annoying me, bumping into me, making rude sounds and smells. I was so rattled by everything that I had to sit cross-legged and quietly try to meditate for most of the flight.

But really, the only way to avoid such Draconian airline fees is to take the train.

Or fly Southwest. I don't understand why anyone with a choice would choose to fly any other way.

American Airlines obviously believes in the power of prayer. If ralph nader were on board, virtually every passenger would be praying for the plane to slam into a mountainside. AA must figure at least one of the magical sky fairys petitioned would be up to the job.

As a frequent business traveler, I loathe the average once a year flier, much like I loath idiots who drive under the speed limit in the left lane. But, I do not have to be inconvenienced by them as I get preferred seating and first class upgrades.

Yes, I am more important to the airline than you, and don't get huffy because you think that you deserve special treatment or had to check your carry-on.

cybrwzrd: Yes, I am more important to the airline than you

Ya, probably because they can use your over-inflated ego to power the plane.

hachijuhachi: I love flying, but I hate flying. Airlines are making everything about it miserable. Regulation, anyone?

Or just fly Southwest. Free market. It's amazing.

I love Amtrak, but according to their site, Hartford to Dallas is over 49 hours. If you're in a hurry to get there, that's just not going to work. It's also a long time to be sitting anywhere, but to be fair, that estimate includes about six hours of layover time. But between flying and training, I'll take training any day. It's a lot more low-key, less stressful, and a lot more comfortable. And way cheaper: That route is only $225, even if you book only ten days out.

Sylvia_Bandersnatch: I love Amtrak, but according to their site, Hartford to Dallas is over 49 hours. If you're in a hurry to get there, that's just not going to work. It's also a long time to be sitting anywhere, but to be fair, that estimate includes about six hours of layover time. But between flying and training, I'll take training any day. It's a lot more low-key, less stressful, and a lot more comfortable. And way cheaper: That route is only $225, even if you book only ten days out.

You must not value your time well if you are willing to save a few hundred bucks by taking a train cross country. I would rather fly standing room only packed in like a sardine for 4 hours than sit on a train or in stations for nearly 2 days of my life

cybrwzrd: Sylvia_Bandersnatch: I love Amtrak, but according to their site, Hartford to Dallas is over 49 hours. If you're in a hurry to get there, that's just not going to work. It's also a long time to be sitting anywhere, but to be fair, that estimate includes about six hours of layover time. But between flying and training, I'll take training any day. It's a lot more low-key, less stressful, and a lot more comfortable. And way cheaper: That route is only $225, even if you book only ten days out.

You must not value your time well if you are willing to save a few hundred bucks by taking a train cross country. I would rather fly standing room only packed in like a sardine for 4 hours than sit on a train or in stations for nearly 2 days of my life

"Well" is subjective in this case. I set a high value on comfort. Apparently much higher than you do.

Sylvia_Bandersnatch: cybrwzrd: Sylvia_Bandersnatch: I love Amtrak, but according to their site, Hartford to Dallas is over 49 hours. If you're in a hurry to get there, that's just not going to work. It's also a long time to be sitting anywhere, but to be fair, that estimate includes about six hours of layover time. But between flying and training, I'll take training any day. It's a lot more low-key, less stressful, and a lot more comfortable. And way cheaper: That route is only $225, even if you book only ten days out.

You must not value your time well if you are willing to save a few hundred bucks by taking a train cross country. I would rather fly standing room only packed in like a sardine for 4 hours than sit on a train or in stations for nearly 2 days of my life

"Well" is subjective in this case. I set a high value on comfort. Apparently much higher than you do.

I dunno, during your round trip I could spend 3 nights in a five star hotel in comfort sipping on Manhattans at my destination after putting up with a few hours of inconvenience all while you are making train connections. I guess if the journey is your priority over the destination, then you may have a point.

Ron White looks terrible. And why is he wearing one of those shirt/tie combinations from Burlington Coat Factory?

HellRaisingHoosier: I'm 6'5, so needless to say, I hate flying coach in airplanes.

I once flew cross country and this very small woman had the aisle seat. I politely asked if she'd be willing to trade me seats, and offered to pay her the difference in ticket prices with cash (I don't know if there WERE, but I was trying to be nice).

She flatly refused.The worst part was that she was so small, she sat Indian-style in her chain for half the flight.

I'm generally a very kind guy, but I am not a nice person after a couple hours of cramping legs. So I kept farting towards her, breathing heavily, "accidentally" bumping her, and took at least 7-8 bathroom breaks in the course of a few hours.

The guy sitting beside me who was in the window seat was laughing the whole time. He knew exactly what was going on.

So you're failure to plan makes her the asshole?

Fark you you self entitled twat.

TheYeti: Why Would I Read the Article: HellRaisingHoosier: I'm 6'5, so needless to say, I hate flying coach in airplanes.

I once flew cross country and this very small woman had the aisle seat. I politely asked if she'd be willing to trade me seats, and offered to pay her the difference in ticket prices with cash (I don't know if there WERE, but I was trying to be nice).

She flatly refused.The worst part was that she was so small, she sat Indian-style in her chain for half the flight.

I'm generally a very kind guy, but I am not a nice person after a couple hours of cramping legs. So I kept farting towards her, breathing heavily, "accidentally" bumping her, and took at least 7-8 bathroom breaks in the course of a few hours.

The guy sitting beside me who was in the window seat was laughing the whole time. He knew exactly what was going on.

Dick move on your part. She didn't want to trade or sell you her aisle seat, which is her prerogative. She wasn't rude to you, yet you punished her with farts, bumping into, breathing on her, and generally just being an asshole, all because you didn't get what you wanted? And you're proud of this?

I'm sorry, but the blame lies completely with you. You owe that woman an apology.

He probably cried like a little girl when the person in front of him reclined, too.

"But I'm too tall/fat/important to have this seat! And also too lazy and cheap to buy my preferred seat beforehand or spring for something other than the cheap seats! Accommodate my body!"

So I need to buy a "business class" or "first class" seat just because the length of my femur is more than the distance between the seats in coach?>
That's messed up. I'm 6'4" and whenever the dic*head in front of me reclines after takeoff it's right in my knees and what am I to do?

ski9600: So I need to buy a "business class" or "first class" seat just because the length of my femur is more than the distance between the seats in coach?>
That's messed up. I'm 6'4" and whenever the dic*head in front of me reclines after takeoff it's right in my knees and what am I to do?

According to AA, you should go be tall somewhere else.

ski9600: I'm 6'4" and whenever the dic*head in front of me reclines after takeoff it's right in my knees and what am I to do?

i dunno, i got the same problem, but i'm too polite to say anything, and i can't fart forward on command. if you figure it out, let me know.

Contents Under Pressure: I don't fly anymore due to the TSA.

Ding ding ding ding ding!

The security theater is absurd, insulting and frankly useless. I have small children, they don't mix well with random security boshat. When I rarely travel on my own (work) I have to deal with all the airline BS, and it's gotten pretty damn out of hand.

Can we get a consumer bill of rights all up in this mother trucker already?