Ask Amy: How do I keep airline seat to myself?

DEAR AMY: I fly about three weeks a month. I am 5-foot-3 and weigh 112 pounds. I recently took a flight where the man sitting next to me weighed at least 250 pounds. There was an armrest between us that I had put down when I sat down. When he sat in his seat, he put it back up. This gave him more room because he was able to overflow into my space. I had to lean away from him the whole flight. I was unable to find a polite way to tell him I preferred the armrest down. I knew he would either not fit or be extremely uncomfortable in his seat with the armrest down. However, I paid for my seat and don't feel I should be uncomfortable the entire flight to make someone else more comfortable. If this happens again, what should I do? -- Frustrated Flier

DEAR FRUSTRATED: Your options are to ask a flight attendant if you can switch seats (they often are able to accommodate this request after boarding is complete), or to say to your flying companion, "Could we please leave the armrest down during the flight? Thank you." The other solution is to nestle in, let your head slowly drift onto your partner's fleshy arm and do your best to catch a quick nap.

This sort of inconvenience is unfortunately common, and whether it is a fussy baby or an overly large seat partner, sometimes you just have to put up with it and hope for better luck on your next flight.

DEAR AMY: I can totally relate to "Kelsie," who was frustrated at her boss misspelling her name. This happens to me all the time. My own father misspelled my name on a personalized graduation present. Honestly, it doesn't bother me at all because it doesn't affect me financially. For Kelsie, I would say that if it doesn't affect your payroll, then it's not a problem.

-- Christel

DEAR CHRISTEL: Words to live by. Thank you!