American Airlines is about to have a very big problem due to Ralph Nader's knees.
It seems that the 6' 4" consumer advocate & perennial presidential hopeful - who a few years ago forced the airlines to pay all flyers (via a Supreme Court case) when they were 'bumped' - always wants an aisle seat. He's just too tall to squeeze his knees into a middle one.
And he's willing to pay a few extra Washingtons (or even Lincolns & maybe a couple Jeffersons) for the extra comfort. Usual cost is no more than $60 (still outrageous for those of us who remember these as 'no extra charge' chairs).
But a large number of seats on this particular flight were blocked for members of American Airlines' Elite frequent-flier program - just in case some wanted to book - so no more aisle's were available in advance.
The only way he could be guaranteed his favored coach seat was upgrade his $700 ticket to a full priced fee: $2,680.
No that wasn't a misprint. $2,680 for a Hartford to Dallas flight. That's the same $ as flying 1st class.
So not only did his Lincoln-esque legs strike the back of a seat, his head hit the roof.
'They (only) release (the 'aisles') if there are no suckers,' he said.
However since not all A. seats were filled by 'Elites', Nader was given his preferred knee saving spot. This did not appease.
'You've fixed my problem, but you haven't fixed the overall problem.'
He vows to pursue this further. Perhaps all the way back to the Supremes.
'They're behaving like a monopoly extortionist,' Nader said. 'This is a bankrupt company in more ways than one.'
So stay tuned.
BTW, he usually flies Southwest Airlines - the official airline of his past presidential campaigns.
He finds SW to be more 'proletariat.'
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