Hey! How dey do dat?

Pretty simple, actually....there are a few ways to do it.

It appears that, in this case, a support runs through the right shoe/boot (attached to the platform), runs up the right leg and ends with a metal "seat". It's all preloaded so, when the person's weight is on the device, it goes to that particular level.
The subject would have to resist "bouncing" as it would reveal the method.
All of this is covered by the clothing. Note the length of the pants' legs. Even in that position the leg touches the floor of the platform.
Think of how long they'd be upon standing.

All very clever though.

hope this helps

Dan

 

Thanks for the welcome, Trebuchet. I've been a member for a week or so, and am fascinated by all of the information offered here.
I'm glad to be able to contrtibute something in my area of knowledge.

I should have expanded the answer further. The metal seat should have a "backrest" not unlike an office chair.
The whole assembly would resemble a stretched-out "Z".

Take Care,

Dan

 

How'd I miss that? I go to that Airport Terminal all the time and I never saw him.

Always in the wrong place at the wrong time eh.

 

I love the look on peoples' faces! I dont know why but the expression of the older lady at 2:11 cracks me up...

 

I wonder how long his shifts are. A stewardess could always bring him another paper or a cup of coffee, but bathroom breaks would be...'interesting'. Unless the appropriate apparatus is also hidden in the clothing.

 

The materials don't need to be too exotic. Aluminum or steel would work. The trick is in the actual design/structure. It could be a "space frame" or basket-like design which would give strength against all of that leverage without being too bulky.
As I said before, the hard part is to keep the subject from "bouncing", which would make the gimmick a bit more obvious.
It also needs to be designed so, with the weight added, it achieves the proper attitude.

Depending on shift length, the latter is very likely. The other problem is that you'd have to shield the entire display during a shift change lest the gimmick be revealed.

 

It is an airport, so even when the gimmick is ousted, all those people go away in a few minutes to get to their terminal. I think we are overthinking it...

 

his legs never move


my guess he's a double amputee

 

Or he's just got to stay still so as not to reveal the "trick"
If you note, that's a pretty stable and comfortable position. The only risk is the lower right leg falling asleep due to the pressure of his left crossed over it.
Were he a DA, it would be harder to stabilize him as the gimmick probably relies on at least his right leg being continuous to the base and those muscles helping to balance and keep him from appearing strained.

 

They might put up a sheet when he needs to get up. I'm thinking he'd need to take his pants off to get the apparatus out. And it has to be designed for his dimensions, or else it'd be either uncomfortable and/or showing thru the clothes.

 

Seeing through the clothing shouldn't be much of a issue, as the gimmick would fit very closely (as in custom formed) and the density of the cloth, especially the pants, is such that it should be a non-issue even in strong sidelight.
A sheet would be pretty amateurish, and there's a 360deg view. More likely a set of screens.
If anyone has been to this location: is there a second level above this area which would allow an overhead view?
If so, it would require a full tent to cover....

 

This would be my take on the position and shaping of the gimmick: if you note by his posture, it appears that he's "pressing down" into the device's "backrest".

 

From 1:07 thru about 1:28 the outline of the backrest is plainly visible thru his shirt. Cute display; the real trick would be actually fitting legroom like that into a jet and still make money

 

Maybe if the seats were permanently reclined at the same angle...?