Standing-Room-Only "seats" on Airlines
 

I just read this article in the New York Times today about a proposal (So far it's proposed in Asian carriers only) to have a "standing-room-only" section where passengers would fly propped against a padded backboard and strpped in with a harness. Apparently this is intended as a way to fit more passengers in. The illustration showed this backboard thing that included arm rests and a food tray. The passenger is in what amounts to a standing position.

My question is, given all the debates about leg room, would any of you want to fly strapped to one of these backboards? Any thoughts?

Not no, but heck no.

No way, not ever.

P.S. And we thought coach was bad?

I will fly standing only if they wrap me up like a mummy. Then I can start my own "the mummy returns" series.

There's another thread about this in the Airlines forum.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34794215

How long are the flights? If it's a shuttle - lke NYC to Boston - why not? Tons of people have subway or bus commutes of 45 minutes or more where they stand the whole time. This couldn't be worse - at least no one is leaning on you or hitting you with their briefcase or backpack.

If seriously, I've heard they want to do it for Hawaii island hopping. (This was on TV, don't hold me responsible!)

Sorry, no. I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without my feet going numb *(very poor circulation), and 10 minutes or longer becomes agony. Walking, no problem -- but not standing.

I'll take the uncomfortable sardine can seats, thanks.

I saw this on the Today Show this morning. I think I'll pass, thanks.

Maybe they will supply pee tubes so they can just strap them in for the duration - no trips to the loo required!

I don't know. I've flown on planes that had live chickens on board. Uncaged live chickens.
Standing up doesn't sound so bad.

I haven't laugh this hard sinse Faina gifted me with Vikings finding...OMGoodness Gracious!!! It is not one of those Tip The Pilot threads, is it? Pee tube? and poo bags? Awesome...but think about not having fat one sitting next to you...now he'll be probably squizzed next to you. I need a fresh air...thanks for the histerical laugh!!!

hmmm not so bad. I was on a few planes in China where we had to walk between cartons of coke cans to get to our seats. I used one carton which was in the aisle next to my seat to rest my can of coke on. If I were strapped to a board it wouldn't have made much difference.

Perhaps for a short trip but I can't imagine doing this for more than an hour. I don't "sit still" well (never did even in grade school, LOL!) and at least you can wiggle around a lot in the seats. If you're strapped to a backboard I'd assume your mobility would be quite limited.

Unless you strapped with your feet off the floor...have they thought of that? HA?

Heaven help us if this catches on--then coach seats will be considered first class and cost even more :)

How about if they just hang us from a noose around the neck? Then we could just swing "freely about the cabin."

You would have to go to the bathroom to sit down!

Not only heck no but hell no. Although as previously mentioned, if the price was right and it was a short flight (say Minneapolis to Chicago) I would consider it. But it would have to be a truly jaw-dropping price.

I would do it, if the flight wasn't too long. I don't like sitting in coach seats anyway, and I immediately get up and stand in the aisle whenever I'm allowed.

But if they cram so much more people onto the plane, where will their luggage go? Is there a weight problem, with more people and more luggage? I don't know about the logistics of doing it.

Well, it was only proposed for short trips (not 8 hour trips across huge oceans), but if the price were right, I would go for it.

As long, of course, that I was able to unlock the harness and move about after the seatbelt light was turned off.

I liken it to standing up on a plane ride to Vegas or LA....if it makes the price of my ticket go to half, then I would go for it....

Hmm. How much will they pay me?

A friend of mine flew Bulgarian airlines a few years ago. He swears he rode next to a pig.

Compared to some of the seat mates I have had, I think I would prefer the pig.

What about childrens' seats? Babies in lap? Now it will be more "babes in lap" ;)

Will they make 2 levels of standing children places? I hope not upside down!!

Monkey seats :))

Here's the link to the NY Times article by the way.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/25/bu...mp;oref=slogin

And of course the infamous "Vikings" post. Hilarious.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...amp;dirtyBit=1

I have been wondering for a while when this would be proposed. I think that airlines (actually, transportation in general) have really degenerated due to changes in market demand. it used to be that everyone was comfortable. Then they started to take away leg room, meaning that if you wanted comfort, you had to pay up the nose. It seems to be headed towards masochism. If you don't want to be in pain, you have to pay. The fact that they are even presenting the option is just ludicrous.

I am going to invent a fetal position chair and stack people on my planes.

Where would a standing passenger put his/her carry-on luggage? Would I have to stand on it?

ZIANA!!! Want to read something really funny? I mean REALLY funny, you'll laugh till you cry

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34753901

I was watching the news this morning and they showed an illustration of the new "standing room only seat. What is reminds me of is a baby strapped into a car seat. They have stooped to an all-time low to even think of doing something like this.

Do you think the CEO's of the airlines would fly in a standing-room-only seat? I highy doubt it. Maybe if they were squeezed into the cattle call section once in awhile they would see what they are forcing us to do.

Wonder if ambien will help us sleep standing up?

And will leg room still be an issue? Gives airbus a whole new meaning.

they can take that idea and place it where the sun does not shine

Well...gas prices are going up which means that more frills are going to be cut.
We'll probably soon hear that they're going to stop landing at all destinations : we'll have to bring our own parachutes and jump out at the announcement over the big speakers that we've arrived at __________"

Next thing you'll know is that they'll just strap us to a huge rubber band and fling us in the direction of where we wanna go!

good one, JAGIRL!

Absolutely outrageous. How many bodies can be safely carried on a plane, or is that a dumb question to ask?

JAGirl, we think alike. On my weekly shuttle run LGA-DCA, I've always had a joke that due to our short flights, we should 1-be slingshot to our destination or 2-be allowed to parachute out the plane upon reaching the DC area so the plane can continue on to a real destination.

The landings would certainly be better than some I've experienced on these rides!

Oh, my fine print to the shuttle airlines:

I'm kidding about the parachutes and slingshots. Don't get any wise ideas!

Your devoted frequent flyer.

[Sigh.]

Why <i>didn't</i> that AAL leg room thing work?
Bad timing (9/11)?
Didn't get the anticipated load factors?
Greed?

I would stand up, on a flight of 55 minutes or under... if I could arrive at the airport at 12 minutes or less before departure - - like I used to be able to do.

Best wishes,

Rex

I would do it, just for the experience; if you had a travel companion, you could switch off every now and then. What if you had a 6 hour flight and you could save $600 off regular coach ? I'd stand around for $100 an hour anytime!