Big & Tall Travel

Through my experience traveling, I’ve come to learn some – though certainly not everything- about the benefits, challenges, and downright unpleasantries of traveling as a super sized individual.

The Good:

1. The seas of people in congested areas (airports, cruise ports, crowded streets, etc.) part when I walk through. Virtually no one even attempts to play a game of chicken with me; it’s self evident he or she will likely lose – and badly – when I’m moving with purpose. The best place for anyone to be in a crowded area is in my wake.
2. My size, combined with my severe affliction of RBF, very often elicits second thoughts from those that may be prone to start any sort of altercation.
3. My height makes it easier to see what’s going on around me. Being tall means I can see over the vast majority of normal people. And the wide berth people tend to give me makes seeing where I’m going a hell of a lot easier.

The Bad:

1. I just don’t fit everywhere. Every trip, I need to figure out if I’m going to fit in the plane, train, or automobile. Planes, especially on domestic flights, can be a real challenge.
2. Being a big person means my clothes take up more room in general, which means more luggage for longer trips.
3. There is no such thing as disappearing into a crowd. Anyone can find me if they want. Which means I may be an easy mark for pickpockets or anyone who thinks I won’t be able to catch them.

The Ugly:

1. Seatbelt extension belts. It’s supremely embarrassing to have to add a an extra foot or so to my plane belt.
2. The middle seat. No matter how small I try to make myself, the people next to me are going to end up with a little bit of Bobby spilling over into their seas.
3. Overpriced food is super annoying to everyone. I often find myself a bit peckish before or after a flight. And paying for food in the airport or really anywhere not planned, I’ll end up overspending.