[jimworcs]

AADFW..

In addition, the overall size of the general population in terms of height and weight (even when in proportion) is considerably bigger than it even was 30 years ago

I agree that this is an issue of both girth and height, and not always of obesity. The population is getting taller and frankly I think some of the seat pitch is unsafe, both for DVT risks and for emergency evacuation purposes.

On the issue of rule making, my suggestion was simply that DOT make a rule that if a passenger is unable to completely lower the armrest of the seat, the passenger must purchase a second ticket. This would allow the gate agents and check in clerks to de-personalise the issue and simply state that federal rules require this. It would also eliminate the ridiculously arbitrary situation which currently exists which empowers morons to either make up rules as they go along or ignore the plight of passengers who are sold effectively half a seat.

There are different types of seats, but in truth not that many in which the width differs significantly. In general, Airbus seats are a bit wider than Boeing, but Delta would need a few examples in Atlanta but for the vast majority of airports served they would probably be able to use one standard seat.

There is absolutely a need to make FAA rules in relation to seat pitch. This is urgent. The market is placing enormous pressures on airlines to cram as many seats as possible into the airplane. This has safety implications and needs to be addressed. I believe that a statutory minimum of 31" should be mandated.