I can answer;

1. He was not used to being attractive to women. It suddenly came to him that this women was eyeing him with intent.
2. The truth is ALL those in the 'waiting room' were nothing more than pieces of meat. Since they were all drugged (remember they all had to take their pills) daily to keep them content. The analogy is the Meat Packing plant where he met his ride.

I like both endings. In the novel, his death is more or less virtual but not actual - he's just sitting there like a bump on a log with the rest of the "sheep." The film's ending is certainly more horrific, the novel's anticlimax is beyond depressing.

Interesting, thanks for the help. I think I prefer the film's ending, but both are pretty darn depressing. At least his death provides some closure

Arthur doesn't actually die at the end of the novel. It ends with him just sitting there, waiting.

Ahhh, that makes sense, too. Thanks very much for the info!

In the novel, Wilson has the sudden reaction on the plane simply because this is the first time he was called Mr. Wilson by someone out in "the real world," and he became scared and anxious. It's also a foreshadowing of the difficulty he was going to have adjusting to being Mr. Wilson. He never did make an adjustment to being Wilson and became an embarrassment to the other reborns.

I would imagine that when he was young he had some experience with women checking him out. His wife although older, was very attractive.
Of course, it would be an adjustment to suddenly look like Rock HudsonThat is definitely in a league of it's own!

I got the feeling it was because an attractive stewardess was clearly checking him out, something that had probably never happened to him in his life, and it freaked him out.

I agree Altho73. And remember each day the CPS prospects were given a 'pill' in the waiting room. Perhaps to keep them somewhat sedated.

Having watched the film again, I guess you're right. It was such a bleak ending I was looking for some trace of optimism, in the hope at least Hamilton's friend might survive, if not Hamilton himself. There's such emphasis placed on sponsoring another client I thought it was the only option for someone wanting a second new identity - you get another go if you find The Company another client. Looks like you're right though. It's still odd Wilson is killed so soon when Charlie had wait a long time for the 'opportunity.' And Rock Hudson was 5 inches taller than John Randolph, so either it's a goof or The Company had some way of overcoming the height problem.
I watched Seconds in order to write an overview for a film new website. If you're interested, take a look, would love to hear people's opinions (beware, there are spoilers): https://lalafilm.com/2016/02/08/review-seconds-1966/

No, you are misunderstanding the situation here. All of the men in the day room are in the CPS (cadver procurement section) and are kept there until a new client is found that matches their height, weight and build. Then they told a lie that they are going into surgery for another re-birth when in reality they are to be killed to provide a body for a new client from the outside whose death will have to be faked.

The speed at which Arthur/Tony is euthanized hints that Charlie's 'cadaver' will in fact be his dead friend Arthur/Tony! Charlie makes it, but at Arthur's expense.

That does not make sense because -

1. Charlie is already on the inside, his initial identity has already died for which a body has been provided, his rebirth failed so he has been taken back inside, he no longer exists in the real world so THERE IS NOBODY TO DIE so there is no need to provide a body for.
2. Rock Hudson was around 6'4", Murray Hamilton was around 5'8" so there is no way on earth that the authorities would accept that a 6 foot 4 inch body was the identity of a 5 foot 8 inch man even if he was carrying his wallet.

At first, I figured Charlie would be killed, just like Arthur - but remember even when Charlie first phoned Arthur, he was in the Company waiting room, after his failure with his first new body. The only way the Company would let him have another chance was if Charlie sponsored someone else - and he thought of Arthur. Even if Arthur succeeded as Tony Wilson, Charlie would still get another go at rebirth, once the company was satisfied at Wilson's progress. Arthur failed and returned to The Company, and Charlie, suspecting his friend would refuse to sponsor, shed a tear at their final meeting as he knew Arthur would be killed. The speed at which Arthur/Tony is euthanized hints that Charlie's 'cadaver' will in fact be his dead friend Arthur/Tony! Charlie makes it, but at Arthur's expense.

1. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more this seems to be the case. I think I was just so distracted by the unfortunate pillow effect that I overlooked it.
2. I like your ideas here, they're appropriately cynical. It's cool that the film didn't spell everything out. I wonder how much the book does (hence my original question).

Interesting theories. So you don't think they ever give a second chance? Do you think they don't even let customers fully live out their first chance?

Charlie was being killed at the end just like Arthur
A failure such as Charlie would be pushed to give a referral because that is the ONLY WAY that the Company can get new clients. What they are doing is highly illegal, they can't just place adverts for their service in magazines!!!
EVERY person in that day room is destined sooner or later to be killed and used as bodies for new clients. Of course the company lie to them and place the illusion in their minds that they are merely waiting to go into surgery for a new identity but that is never even being considered. Of course the company want to milk them as much as then can before they are terminated.

1. He was no longer a schlub- a lump occupying a seat. In previous similar situations he may have just been overlooked and/or taken care of w/o a glance. She made eye contact with him and he was clearly panicked by this He was someone now
2. I think Charlie made it out with a new beginning- he seemed to be willing to really sell his soul to being a new man (or maybe Murray Hamilton gives off that vibe unintentionally). His desperation in his calls to Arthur give this away. Arthur was too much of a critical thinker and he would have blown the cover of the program in time (like at the party), hence the decision to have him offed.
   "Knowledge is Good"

I must have missed something that indicated that Arthur's body was being used for Charlie's "death." Was there a line of dialogue or a shot that made this clear?
Good point, RE: #1 - I hadn't thought of the flirting angle. And yeah, they probably don't
always
need a body for someone else to disappear. I guess it's just to be assured that no one will be looking for the person anymore. The story definitely has a Twilight Zone vibe.
EDIT: Why on earth did an administrator delete the post this was in reply to? There was absolutely nothing inappropriate about it whatsoever.

This message has been deleted.

Ahhh, interesting. I didn't realize that he had anything to do with Arthur's death (or any knowledge of it). What went on in that room was pretty ambiguous.
RE: stewardess - I thought it might have been a resemblance to someone he knew, or just the fear of being looked at and "found out" for who he really was.
Thanks for the input.

I think I can answer number 2. Charlie got renewed, but to do so, he had to give up Arthur. So he was crying because he knew Arthur was going to get killed.
I wondered why he panicked on the plane. I think it is because the stewardess looked a lot like his wife, 30 years younger.
"I'm a vehemently anti-nuclear, paranoid mess, harbouring a strange obsession with radioactive sheep."