My friend and I were flying across the gulf of Alaska once and questioned the flight attendant as to the use of the seat cushion. She agreed that the seat cushion would only be held on for maybe 10 minutes before the passenger would go unconcious from the 40 degree water.

I think George Carlin had a bit about the seat cushion and beer farts - he was so funny when it came to the english language...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hgsw5Hg0Ag