Passengers kicked off flight over seat recline spat

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't know about rights, but it is polite.

it is very hard (almost impossible?) to eat a meal in economy if the person in front has reclined. you can slouch forward enough to make sure food gets to your mouth.

 

[Denali]

Maybe because I only fly about 6 types of airlines but I thought we've always been asked to seat upright during meals.

I know ive asked for the seat to be put upright only a few times but I thought it was the norm. Seems the norm on SQ or Ive not noticed people not doing it.

 

[JohnK]

Bingo! The person in front of you is also entitled to use all the features that they paid for and that includes reclining a seat that was made to recline.

OK. All bets are off.

 

[TomVexille]

it is very hard (almost impossible?) to eat a meal in economy if the person in front has reclined. you can slouch forward enough to make sure food gets to your mouth.

Yeah, it is hard. That's where some of the really good airlines come through the cabin first insisting that everyone puts their seats up.

Also it's usually possible to pick up the container of food so that it's closer to your mouth but that would be rude right?

 

[The Rok]

I would find it almost impossible to eat a meal if my seat were reclined, I would be slouching forward.

 

[JohnK]

Maybe because I only fly about 6 types of airlines but I thought we've always been asked to seat upright during meals.

I know ive asked for the seat to be put upright only a few times but I thought it was the norm. Seems the norm on SQ or Ive not noticed people not doing it.

I have given you real life examples not fairytales where the person in front has reclined immediately after takeoff and fallen asleep and crew refuse to wake the person.

If that's the way people want to behave next time I am not going to suffer in silence. But hopefully there won't be a next time.

 

[eastwest101]

this is a red herring. there is absolutely NO loss of space when the person in front reclines. The person behind can recline as well and total available space is maintained.

(Puts flame suit on) With the greatest respect that statement is also a bit of a simplification, would agree that there is a loss of 'personal space' or maybe a perception of that? I should have been clearer in my post and mentioned that there are other losses of amnetiy such as use of a laptop, viewing seatback IFE or ability to enter or exit a seat that may affect some people. So its a gradational thing and maybe subject to negotiation or heaven forbid, manners or common sense?

Reclining onto an empty seat, is different from reclining onto an oblivious 3yo child whom is already asleep, which is also a bit different from reclining onto a grumpy overweight 6'3" claustrophobic whom is trying to use seatback IFE or their own laptop.

Your own statement also seems to imply that if 3C wanted to recline then 4C, 5C, 6C etc everyone back to 34C must also recline in order to preserve their personal space. Remember we are working within a finite aluminium tube with seating all the way to the back. Speaking of which - where does your theory leave the people in the last row?

Anyway - I have an open mind as to possible solutions so would be keen to hear of other peoples proposed solutions.

 

[JohnK]

Im sorry that I had to explain exactly how I do this, but EVERYONE ELSE needs to learn NOT to use the seat in front!

And everyone is injury free and able bodied to twist and turn as you describe?

If not then they shouldn't travel or heaven forbid try and get out of their seat with just a tiny amount of dignity?

 

[suze2000]

And everyone is injury free and able bodied to twist and turn as you describe?

If not then they shouldn't travel or heaven forbid try and get out of their seat with just a tiny amount of dignity?

Forgive me, but they should get an aisle seat so they have at least a fighting chance of it, yes. In many planes one can lift the armrest (there's usually a hidden button if you can't), so you can just turn sideways and then stand up in the aisle. Inconveniencing no-one. If you can't lift the armrest, it's still much easier to get out of an aisle seat than a window (still without become a seat-back puller) and people with impaired mobility should choose seats which will help them accommodate that.

 

[Moody]

I have no problem with people reclining to sleep (outside of take-off, landing, and meal times obviously), so I have a cunning plan. Link the recline button to the IFE and overhead light!

As soon as the seat is reclined 1mm more than the seat in front, the power is cut to ensure that they get a really good rest. [Removing distractions works for toddlers so the same approach is perfect for serial recliners.]

The tricky part is catering for the cascade effect - 2A is watching a film when 1A reclines to sleep so 2A needs to recline to see their screen - hence the need to link it to the pax in front. OK .... it is as cunning as a weasel as TR used to say (or was that RA?).

 

[Foreigner]

This appears to be second incident of rage of reclining seat:

Flight diverts to Boston over reclined-seat upset - US News

 

[TomVexille]

This appears to be second incident of rage of reclining seat:

Flight diverts to Boston over reclined-seat upset - US News

You'll notice that the man who kicked up a stink was arrested and has a court date in December.

 

[whatmeworry]

I have no problem with people reclining to sleep (outside of take-off, landing, and meal times obviously), so I have a cunning plan. Link the recline button to the IFE and overhead light!

As soon as the seat is reclined 1mm more than the seat in front, the power is cut to ensure that they get a really good rest. [Removing distractions works for toddlers so the same approach is perfect for serial recliners.]

The tricky part is catering for the cascade effect - 2A is watching a film when 1A reclines to sleep so 2A needs to recline to see their screen - hence the need to link it to the pax in front. OK .... it is as cunning as a weasel as TR used to say (or was that RA?).

Nice idea but the recliner paid for the privilege of using every possible device and even better if they can use them all at once.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Neither of you are reading my posts are you?

It is not acceptable to recline during meal times. Is it? It is not my responsibility to ensure I am able to have a meal like everyone. It is not my responsibility to ensure the creep in front complies and does not ruin my flight. Is it?

Now stop having a go at me and my expectations will not be like yours. I am entitled to the space around me. I am entitled to use all the features that I paid for. I can barely tolerate reclining outside of meal times. I generally suffer in silence. I do not tolerate reclining during meal times. And meal time is not you scoffing doen your meal and reclining. It is the time it takes to get cleared away.

You can think of me what you will. Just know that I have little respect for those that recline. Especially in bulkhead seat and more so when they know the person behind is inconvenienced.

That is my opinion. I am not trying to change yours. Don't try to change mine. Don't try to tell me I am wrong because I am clearly not wrong. I have given you real life examples where the creep in front should not recline. You continue to side with the recliner when they are clearly in the wrong.

My highlighting. I trust this means you keep all parts of your body, in particular elbows and shoulders within the space on the insides of the armrests?

 

[UP4014]

I have no problem with people reclining to sleep (outside of take-off, landing, and meal times obviously), so I have a cunning plan. Link the recline button to the IFE and overhead light!

As soon as the seat is reclined 1mm more than the seat in front, the power is cut to ensure that they get a really good rest. [Removing distractions works for toddlers so the same approach is perfect for serial recliners.]

The tricky part is catering for the cascade effect - 2A is watching a film when 1A reclines to sleep so 2A needs to recline to see their screen - hence the need to link it to the pax in front. OK .... it is as cunning as a weasel as TR used to say (or was that RA?).

I like the idea of not being able to recline more than the seat behind, if you want a guarantee of full recline pick the back row.

Excellent.

Matt

 

[JohnK]

My highlighting. I trust this means you keep all parts of your body, in particular elbows and shoulders within the space on the insides of the armrests?

You know I do.

I have mentioned on AFF more times than I care to remember that I go out of my way to ensure I do not inconvenience anyone. I don't even use the centre armrest. I help people with their luggage. And my shoulders are wider than average so if someone is in middle seat I lean towards the aisle.

I am very conscious of the fact I need to be considerate to all around me.

And if you don't ever want someone in a bulkhead to recline into the space you paid for then sit behind me.

 

[whatmeworry]

For all you recliners, this is the view from behind you.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

This appears to be second incident of rage of reclining seat:

Flight diverts to Boston over reclined-seat upset - US News

Yes and IIRC there were Air Marshals on that flight as well. They're certainly justifying their existence at the moment.

 

[seanpodge]

Maybe because I only fly about 6 types of airlines but I thought we've always been asked to seat upright during meals.

I know ive asked for the seat to be put upright only a few times but I thought it was the norm. Seems the norm on SQ or Ive not noticed people not doing it.

Definitely noticed in my regular Y flights with SQ over the last two years that they are strict on seats going up during meals and take off and landing. It's pretty difficult to eat a meal without half of it ending up on your clothes when the one in front has fully reclined.

 

[JohnK]

Nice idea but the recliner paid for the privilege of using every possible device and even better if they can use them all at once.

And the non-recliner has not paid for the privilege of using every single device?