"For too long cramped passengers have endured discomfort, loss of circulation, even numbness at times and have been treated like cattle instead of respected customers.

In a letter to the CEOs of the other major airlines, Nader urged other carriers to quickly match or exceed the American Airlines move.

Nader noted, "It's about time airlines realized that passengers' knees and legs are not excess baggage."

Paul Hudson, executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project, stated, "There are no federal regulations on leg room. Everyone knows that airlines have been squeezing more and more into airliners for over 20 years. This may be a rare example of consumer disgust with bad treatment and service causing a major shift in airline behavior.

"This action by American Airlines following on the heels of a more limited announcement several months ago by United Airlines that it was creating "coach plus" seating did not come out of thin air. Increasingly business travlers have been deserting the major carriers whenever they can, causing a major boom in shared use and charter corporate jets. Also, ACAP had planned to petition the FAA and DOT to set minimum leg room standards within the next 30 days. But we will now wait 60 days to see whether the industry follows American Airlines' lead in increasing coach class leg room to tolerable levels."

Six-foot-four-inch passenger Ralph Nader invited all tall airline passengers to become members of the Six Footer's Club first announced in September 1999. Membership includes a lapel button and inclusion in a petition drive and other activities seeking appropriate leg room and accomodations for tall passengers. Membership applications and information are available by writing Ralph Nader c/o ACAP at P.O. Box 19029, Washington, D.C., 20036, or calling 800-588-ACAP, or sending an e-mail to acap71@erols.com.

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