Battle at 30,000 Feet: Seat Reclining vs. Leg Room

[JimJohnson]

Did you guys hear about this? Apparently a passenger boarded with a device known as a "knee defender." It prevents the seat in front of you from reclining.

So apparently a passenger did this while the woman in front of them wanted to recline. A fight broke out, plane diverted.

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/08/battle-at-30000-feet-seat-reclining-vs-leg-room/

 

[brett05]

yeah, happened day or two ago, no?

 

[Crystallas]

Brilliant. I've had my knees crushed many times by people who slam into their seats. You know what the solution is, don't be awkward and antisocial. Look behind you, see if you have space, and ask if the person doesn't mind. This is what I do and I fly often. Every time there is no space, I don't recline, and when there is space, I have asked and the person thanked me for asking them first.


Wow, what a shitty world today, where people don't even have such little courtesy. As if it's your right to not ask for consent before you destroy someone's knee caps. I also love how the author of this article was bragging about flying in upgraded seats, like that is some kind of solution for everyone.

 

[Crystallas]

Anyways, these will soon be issues of the past IMO, as airlines slowly migrate to new seating designs and 787s. The upkeep on 747s are almost at the point where it exceeds that of upgrading for new jets. The issue is more with Boeing not able to produce to demand with the 787s(along with some regulatory hurdles with alternative parts), but that also will improve in due time.

 

[ruprecht]

Is there a fatass protector to keep lardos from crushing you?

 

[Dogstar]

"The Federal Aviation Administration leaves it up to individual airlines to set rules about the device. United Airlines said it prohibits use of the device, like all major U.S. airlines. Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air take the reclining mechanisms out of their seats, leaving them permanently upright."

"The fight started when the male passenger, seated in a middle seat of row 12, used the Knee Defender to stop the woman in front of him from reclining while he was on his laptop...

"A flight attendant asked him to remove the device and he refused. The woman then stood up, turned around and threw a cup of water at him, the official says. That's when United decided to land in Chicago. The two passengers were not allowed to continue to Denver."


"Both passengers were sitting in United's Economy Plus section, the part of the plane that has four more inches of legroom than the rest of coach."

Flight Diverted, Cops Called After Reclining Seat Fight


So... it pretty much sounds like he's a dick and she over-reacted.

 

[AuCN]

I fly on about 8 planes a month. I am 6'1". I personally think that the purchasing of your seat allows you the option to recline regardless if the person behind you likes it or not. That said, I rarely recline unless its a long flight and I go back slowly if I do. While it is frustrating when somebody reclines in front of me. I am ok with it because I see it as part of the deal. Their seat is meant to recline so they are allowed to recline it. As someone said, I would prefer someone reclining in front of me than a person oozing into my space from beside me. How is it possible for your belly to sweat while sitting motionless!!?!? And why is your sweaty belly on my arm!?!?

 

[Dogstar]

I fly on about 8 planes a month. I am 6'1". I personally think that the purchasing of your seat allows you the option to recline regardless if the person behind you likes it or not. That said, I rarely recline unless its a long flight and I go back slowly if I do. While it is frustrating when somebody reclines in front of me. I am ok with it because I see it as part of the deal. Their seat is meant to recline so they are allowed to recline it. As someone said, I would prefer someone reclining in front of me than a person oozing into my space from beside me. How is it possible for your belly to sweat while sitting motionless!!?!? And why is your sweaty belly on my arm!?!?

I love the ones that sit behind you and use the headrest of your seat to unwedge themselves.

 

[AuCN]

I love the ones that sit behind you and use the headrest of your seat to unwedge themselves.

Oh god, yes! That annoys me WAY more than someone reclining! You bounce back and forth like a like a trebuchet sling after they release.

 

[Nail Polish]

I bet the argument was hilarious

 

[JimJohnson]

Oh god, yes! That annoys me WAY more than someone reclining! You bounce back and forth like a like a trebuchet sling after they release.

Yup. There was this one time when this guy in his 40s was sitting behind me, was pounding beer like nobody's business which I don't mind since I like to drink on flights too. But he had to keep using the bathroom and was using my headrest to help him stand up. After about 5 times of doing this, I stood up, walked over to his seat and told him if he does it 1 more time that I was going to kick his fucking ass. Problem solved.

 

[Jester]

People are selfish pricks, plain and simple.

 

[nvanprooyen]

I don't really understand why airline seats in coach recline to begin with, at least in the current configuration. You get, what...maybe 5 degrees of angle out of them? It's not enough to really make you any more comfortable...but it sure as hell can make the person behind you way more uncomfortable if they are remotely tall.

 

[Nail Polish]

Obviously the guy with the knee savers had encountered the problem of uncooperative people before...He had probably once or twice asked the person in front of him to not recline their seat, and was met with a 'screw you buddy" response

The bottom line IMO is the airlines trying to squeeze every inch of space for more seats

 

[nvanprooyen]

Brilliant. I've had my knees crushed many times by people who slam into their seats. You know what the solution is, don't be awkward and antisocial. Look behind you, see if you have space, and ask if the person doesn't mind. This is what I do and I fly often. Every time there is no space, I don't recline, and when there is space, I have asked and the person thanked me for asking them first.

It's a nice thought Crys. But most people are inconsiderate assholes who don't give a **** about anyone's comfort but their own.

 

[Dogstar]

Obviously the guy with the knee savers had encountered the problem of uncooperative people before...He had probably once or twice asked the person in front of him to not recline their seat, and was met with a 'screw you buddy" response

The bottom line IMO is the airlines trying to squeeze every inch of space for more seats

I think the guy is just an assertive jagoff. When the flight crew tells you to remove the device, you remove the device. Like it or not, modern day flight crews are like cops. If you don't want to listen, then be prepared to leave the plane in cuffs.

 

[Nail Polish]

I think the guy is just an assertive jagoff. When the flight crew tells you to remove the device, you remove the device. Like it or not, modern day flight crews are like cops. If you don't want to listen, then be prepared to leave the plane in cuffs.

I agree about the flight crew telling him to remove them..Im surprised he wasnt arrested for not complying..Just as I am surprised she wasnt arrested for assaulting him

 

[NCChiFan]

Neither was arrested, wasn't considered a police matter, but the fact that everyone else had to suffer, delayed flight means missed connectors, arriving late meant family/friends circled Denver waiting, as well as the air lines having to pay more fuel for the additional take off & landing or possible overtime for its flight crew was incredibly unfair. Once again, the many had to suffer the ramifications of the few.

 

[Jester]

If I get me kneecaps busted due to a recliner person I just rip some farts and fan it up by the seat. I don't have to say a damn word.

 

[nvanprooyen]

If I get me kneecaps busted due to a recliner person I just rip some farts and fan it up by the seat. I don't have to say a damn word.

You're close. Better to just get up and walk to the bathroom and do it right in their face. I also like to bounce my knees against the back of the seat and sigh every few minutes or so too. Especially if they try and fall asleep. **** reclining airline seats.