Passengers kicked off flight over seat recline spat

[whatmeworry]

One of AFF most favourite topics.

The fight started on a United Airlines flight because one passenger was using the Knee Defender, a $A21.95 ($A23.63) gadget that attaches to a passenger's tray table and prevents the person in front of them from reclining.
The US 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 US airlines. Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air take the reclining mechanisms out of their seats, leaving them permanently upright.

Read more: Passengers kicked off flight over seat recline spat
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[get me outta here]

[h=3]SMH Poll: Is it OK to recline your seat on a flight? ~ 40% say no.[/h]

 

[TomVexille]

A flight attendant asked him to remove the device and he refused.

He should have been arrested as far as I'm concerned.

Well, they both should have been arrested really

 

[Denali]

He should have been arrested for specifically refusing a direct instruction from the FA which resulted in the flight being diverted.

I wonder if a knee defender user actually reclines their own seat.

 

[whatmeworry]

The guy was on his laptop, presumably working away. They were in PE but even with the extra space if someone reclines while your on laptop.

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, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak.
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.

 

[TomVexille]

The guy was on his laptop, presumably working away. They were in PE but even with the extra space if someone reclines while your on laptop.

It's one thing to politely ask someone to recline carefully because you will be working on your laptop, but using a device that has been banned by most major airlines and then refuse a lawful instruction from the cabin crew is a different beast.

 

[burrco]

Who would've thought that seat reclining would cause such passion. After all, any threads on that topic here (or at flyertalk) are such calm and polite affairs!

 

[Warks]

Using an Ultrabook the screen is so thin and fits so neatly under the lip of the recess for the tray table I always work away in fear that the person in front will drop their seat suddenly cracking my screen. Usually they are already asleep by the time I get it going though. Have to be aware. Would be good insurance to use this device but I wouldn't dare.

I remember 20 odd years ago when I first started flying regularly it didn't seem to be an issue (no laptops?). Am pretty sure I was a recliner (except on short hops). On a long (overnight) haul everyone still does it surely?

 

[Homer]

On a long (overnight) haul everyone still does it surely?

I don't. I ask a passing FA to make up my bed while I go brush my teeth...

 

[boomy]

Another idiot that ignored the FA's request.
I don't understand they both weren't charged. It sends a wrong message that pax can do whatever they like onboard, even cause the plane to divert from it's original route, and get away with it.

 

[kpc]

The woman was completey in the right until she (allegedly) threw a cup of water on the male passenger behind.

 

[TomVexille]

Another idiot that ignored the FA's request.
I don't understand they both weren't charged. It sends a wrong message that pax can do whatever they like onboard, even cause the plane to divert from it's original route, and get away with it.

Totally agree, people need to be accountable for their actions.

The woman was completey in the right until she (allegedly) threw a cup of water on the male passenger behind.

Exactly.

 

[NFF]

The problem is not going to go away soon. It might be cheaper for airlines to increase space than it is to divert.

 

[JohnK]

And I was just thinking we haven't had a reclining debate for a week or so.

SMH Poll: Is it OK to recline your seat on a flight? ~ 40% say no.

That is a significant number of people. Not a tiny minority as some may think.

On a long (overnight) haul everyone still does it surely?

Not everyone. And some people only do it because the person in front has reclined.

I still think the right answer is one side reclines and the other doesn't. Or non-recliners at the front of the cabin and recliners at the back. Or no recline at all.

 

[Moody]

Even cheaper to lock all seats upright and stop the petty recliners from causing the problem in the first place.

 

[NFF]

Or have a variety of seats and price them accordingly.

 

[whatmeworry]

Charge PAX $20 on Dom/NZ flights and $100 on Int flights if they want to recline.

 

[TomVexille]

Even cheaper to lock all seats upright and stop the petty recliners from causing the problem in the first place.

That's what NK do

 

[boomy]

Even cheaper to lock all seats upright and stop the petty recliners from causing the problem in the first place.

Or have a variety of seats and price them accordingly.

They were in Economy Plus.
People who pay extra to sit in premium cabins have every right to recline.

 

[TomVexille]

They were in Economy Plus.
People who pay extra to sit in premium cabins have every right to recline.

Or in most cases on UA are sitting there because they have status. Which is a different form of paying for it.