Anxiety of traveling: seat belt extenders and tray tables

If you're big, you may find it difficult to fasten your seat belt on an airplane. The fact that in the recent past I have needed a seat belt extender has horrified, humiliated and embarrassed me and made me anxious weeks before I am traveling. I love traveling but I dread flying primarily because of the discomfort I feel sitting in a seat that I’m crammed into, the fact that I usually can’t get the tray table to go all the way down and that I have needed a seat belt extender. I also look around before boarding the plane and think: “What if they run out of seat belt extenders before I get on the plane? What would happen?” So, it’s not just the fact that I have to ask for one but also the potential crisis of what if they have given them all out already.

This past weekend I flew to Scottsdale to visit a friend who was there on a medical conference. When I got on my flight, I was able to actually buckle my seat belt without an extender! Now, I’m not sure when the flight attendant said to wear the belt tight and low on your hips, he really meant as tight as my belt fit but it latched (with a little – okay, a lot – of effort). It’s not like I just sat down and it went right on. I had to suck it in, quit breathing for a few seconds and pray a little. I even briefly wished I had been wearing girdle panties because that might have helped! But, I got it on! I thought surely flying home the belt wouldn’t fit because (a) I had just eaten at the casino buffet (yes, I know … more on that later) and (b) it was one of the smaller jets with only 1 seat on the left side of the plane and 2 seats on the right side of the plane. I thought because the plane was smaller and the seats were smaller that I wouldn’t be able to get the seatbelt to fasten. But, I did! Again, it went on with some struggle but it went on nonetheless.

So, now my goal is have the seatbelt not nearly cut off my circulation and go on easier and without as much struggle. Regardless, it was a small victory that I didn’t have to use a seat belt extender on either flight. Small step in the right direction.

Oh – and, while not exactly comfortable, I was able to get my tray table down too.

I’m traveling again in November and I really hope to see more progress on that flight. It would be so wonderful if I could check that stressor out of my life forever!

Glad to be home from the miserable Scottsdale heat,
Fat Girl