To recline or not?????? - General Discussion Discussion

That guy was a huge jerk.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

But now people are out there saying you need to ask if it's OK with the person in back of you to recline your seat. Really?????

One of the flights I was just on - the woman in my row was asked by the person in back of her to not recline her seat because his knees were up against the back. She put her seat in the upright position. I'm not sure what my response would have been - I can be a smart ass and sometimes it's best if I keep my mouth shut but I don't think I would have moved my seat upright. Again - if you can't fit in economy then that's your problem, not mine.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

But now people are out there saying you need to ask if it's OK with the person in back of you to recline your seat. Really?????

In more civilised times it was simply taken for granted that people would ask politely if the person sitting behind them minded if they reclined their seat.

It strikes me as odd that it's now considered, by some, to be perfectly acceptable to omit that small courtesy.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

Oh come on! The airlines pack us in like sardines. I pay extra for leg room, but I’m only getting at the most 6 inches. 6 whole inches! So yeah, if the person in front reclines it’s going to hit my knees or interfere with my use of the drop down tray. Courtesy and consideration are sorely missing in today’s society. I never recline because I’m considerate of the one in back. To ignore a civil request is being an inconsiderate jerk!

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I absolutely hate it when people feel the need to recline their seat on a 1-2 hour flight. And no, it's not MY problem, it's the airline's problem. I'm a small person and even I feel like a canned sardine. I don't pay a lot of money for that. And since the airlines won't do anything about it (I've filed complaints before and never heard anything back), why not put your selfishness aside for a couple of hours and be more considerate of one another? Asking first is the least you can do.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

While I agree the airline is responsible for cramming people in so tightly, I paid for a seat that reclines - i pay extra for advance seat selection to make sure I have one along with an aisle seat. There are some areas of the plane where it isn't possible for a seat to recline, so if it is a problem for someone then I feel they should select one of those seats. People who book bare bones fares with no advance seat selection should not complain about what they end up with.

I honestly don't feel I'm being selfish to expect to get what I paid for.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

You also pay for leg room, which is much more important than the ability to lean back a little. Not fair if that is taken away against your own will. This guy was also in the back, so he couldn't even recline his own seat. He was paying the same as everybody else, but got less space. Advance seat selection isn't always possible and even if it was, one person has to end up with the last, crappy seat. Totally unfair to put the blame on them.

If everyone just stays upright for a couple of hours, everyone gets the same amount of space. Why is that such a sacrifice?

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

You don't know he paid the same as everyone else. Bare bones is considerably less than regular economy, but it is possible it was the last seat available and he paid top dollar. My guess is probably not, though.

My answer to more leg room is to buy Economy Plus - 3-4 inches more.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

It's reasonable to assume he did. I've ended up in the back row, even though I paid the regular price. Don't simply assume someone has paid less, just because you insist on leaning back a few centimeters. Even if he did not pay the same, lots of other people do every single day. They deserve better.

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[–] sslssg (27643) 4 years ago

My issue with this is that because the person in the back can't recline, no one in front of them can either? In this situation, if the women doesn't recline, does she have the right to ask the person in front of her not to recline and so on? If everyone reclines, everyone gets the same amount of space as well.

This is an issue that the airlines need to address.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Yes, it is the airline's problem, one which I doubt they will address. I personally think that NO seats should recline on short flights and ALL seats should be able to recline on long flights.

I've noticed that people who recline their seats are by far a minority anyway. And really, how many people have reclining chairs at home? People seem just fine sitting upright in a theater, train or car for a few hours.

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[–] BuckSwope (3511) 4 years ago

I always recline my seat in a car if possible. Same on a train. I guess I'm a bastard.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I'm getting out my whip RIGHT NOW!💥💥💥

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[–] sslssg (27643) 4 years ago

You might have to whip me too. 🙋‍♀️. I recline for the most part, as it's just more comfortable for me.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Not if I'm the one sitting behind you!💥💥💥💥💥

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[–] sslssg (27643) 4 years ago

If the person in front of me reclines, I'll be reclining as well.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Then I'll whip them too! Hell, I'll whip everyone on the plane so they'll know not to mess with me!💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

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[–] sslssg (27643) 4 years ago

You could make a lot of money with that whip. Just saying. 😁

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I already am, sweetie. What do you think happens in my basement every Friday night?😘

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[–] BuckSwope (3511) 4 years ago

Don't do it! This guys means business.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

All of the chairs and one sofa in my house recline. The majority of movie theaters have those power recliners that are fantastic. I don't travel by train, but my car seat adjusts to various settings.

I am a recliner addict.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Like I said, people seem to have no problem sitting upright for several hours every single day.

When I visit people at their homes I NEVER see anyone recline their seats. That would be so weird. And rather messy when sitting at the dining table!

I've never been to a theater that has recliners. Last time there was a tall guy sitting in front of me and at times like that l would almost wish they had!

Ah man, I feel so sorry for the people sitting in the back seat of your car!😭

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

Just my husband and myself - BUT my back seats also recline - so if I do have passengers, they get a comfy ride also.

You must find a theater with reclining seats - I promise you will never go back!

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Well, your car and local movie theater definitely have more luxury than any plane I've ever been on!

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

Just curious - since I don't know where you are from - movie theaters in your area aren't the mega complexes with the reclining seats? That's just about all there is where I live.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I'm from the Netherlands. We definitely do have mega complexes here in town. I've never encountered a reclining seat, though. I just googled it and it seems that in at least one of those theaters they've installed one row of full reclining, leather seats in every auditorium, but you do have to pay extra. One can only hope the people behind those seats have extra leg room!

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

Well, I figured you had to be from somewhere other than the US because this kind of seating is just about everywhere here and there is room between the rows for people to walk even when the seats are fully reclined. Do you have any theaters that serve meals at the seats? We have several where I live, but I've never tried that.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I honestly wouldn't know about that. I've only been to a theater where you can take your alcoholic drink from the bar inside. Last time someone dropped their glass and the rest of were able to enjoy the fine aroma of her wine as well!

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

This is one reason why we’re so fat here in the states. We’re lazy! Started out with huge recliner chairs, then sofas, vehicles, theaters, planes, etc. Trouble is everything got bigger and roomier except for airline seats! It doesn’t matter if everyone on the plane reclined...you would still be hitting my knees!

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[–] BuckSwope (3511) 4 years ago

I would pay to see you and Stratego in this hypothetical situation, lol.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

I hope we wouldn't make it on Youtube. LOL! Honestly, if someone nicely asked me to adjust my seat slightly, I would probably comply, but if they asked me to not recline at all I would balk at that.

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[–] BuckSwope (3511) 4 years ago

I'm with you on this. I like to recline just a notch(not all the way). I'm not sure it is worth a disagreement though.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I'd just get out my whip!💥

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[–] BuckSwope (3511) 4 years ago

Kinky.

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

If my seat reclines, I'm reclining it. If the person if front of me's seat reclines and they recline it, I fully support them reclining it if they wish.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Uhm, thanks for letting me know how inconsiderate you are, I guess?🤷‍♀️

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

Sorry but using an allowed and paid for function, is not inconsiderate.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I pay for leg room that you take away by doing that, which is way more important than leaning back a few milimeters. And if I'm in the back row that doesn't even have reclining seats, it's even more unfair.

Just because it's allowed doesn't mean it isn't freaking annoying. You can have that attitude if you wish, but then it's no wonder incidents like this keep happening.

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

I've never been on a plane where reclining the seat-back effects leg room in the slightest.

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

Weird. This particular incident shows you it does. Either way, it's standard space I pay for, so how are you going to compensate for that?

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

I disagree. If the seat reclines into that space, then it's their space.

Look. People need to lighten the hell up. I'm close to 6ft tall and weigh about 170 and the person in front of me reclining their seat doesn't bother me in the slightest or cause me ANY discomfort. People aren't happy unless they're mad and/or offended. Life's too short to be horked of by something SO insignificant!

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

I disagree. If it was their space, then why am I using it 90% of the time? For one thing, it affects the position of my table that's attached to their seat.

Obviously it does bother and cause discomfort to others. You can demand people to lighten up or you can contribute to a better atmosphere by being a little more considerate yourself. Like I said, the least you could do is ask just to show you care. Most people will allow it anyway because they want to be considerate.

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

We'll have to agree to disagree. :)

I didn't "demand". I said people "need" to lighten up. IMHO, they'd be a lot happier.

Now the REAL crime is leaving time on the break-room microwave!!!

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[–] Stratego (29246) 4 years ago

You need to buy a whip like I did! It comes in real handy!💥💥💥

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[–] AndyKing1967 (33826) 4 years ago

The rule in our house is if it’s more than 3 hours then it’s Biz class. If I’m flying short haul I don’t normally recline. If someone in front wanted to, I would have no problem. If I really wanted to recline (unlikely), then I would.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

how much extra is biz class? as a percentage?
and how come you used it to get to Morroco - thats next door :p

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[–] AndyKing1967 (33826) 4 years ago

On this occasion to was only about 25% more - worth every penny.

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[–] ducksoup (3933) 4 years ago

It's absolutely impolite to recline before the peanuts are served or after the second martini.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

“ If you are too large for the space in economy then you need to book the bulkhead or exit row seats - or pay for a different class - like economy comfort.”

I disagree! If I pay extra for extra space I don’t want it taken up by someone flying their seat back into my space! I do pay for extra leg room so I sure the hell don’t want the one in front of me reclining especially when the snack tray is down! I never recline when flying. I’m considerate of the person in back of me.

The woman should have got the hint and uprighted her seat back. The airlines need to do away with reclining seats.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

That's not a problem with bulkhead because nobody is in front of you. With exit rows, the seats in front of the rows don't recline at all. With premium economy there is enough space that it really does make a huge difference if someone reclines. I only book that on long flights.

Getting rid of reclining seats all together would be a big hit on long hauls - so what is your answer to that?

And no, the guy in back of the woman was an ass hole. Consideration for others goes both ways. I really would have pissed him off. I can sleep through anything, so I would have just gone to sleep and let him pound away - guarantee his hand would have given out before I did.

What about huge people who spill over into my space? One of the reasons I always book an aisle seat, but there really should be a rule about this as well, but it won't happen because they would scream discrimination and make a terrible fuss.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

Overly large people are required to purchase 2 seats if their bulk won’t fit into 1 seat without spilling into another seat.

Also, I agree the guy was a jerk! Simple solution...he should have alerted the flight attendant.

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

The airlines need to do away with reclining seats.

Maybe but until they do, they are giving the green light to reclining which I will continue to do.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

Then I will politely ask you to upright your seat back. I paid extra for the leg room. Your space ends where mine begins. If you don’t accommodate my request then the law enforcer of the plane will raise it. 😬

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

I really don't think that would be the case. The airline has seats that recline, thus sanctioning the recilination and really, does it actually bother you? Lol.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

Yes, it most certainly does. Those extra 6 whole inches I paid for doesn’t leave much room, especially if using the drop down tray. I have never reclined my seat. Long ago they didn’t pack us like sardines...we had more room. I’m too considerate of others so I don’t flop that seat back. I’ve noticed business people using a laptop or iPad on the tray as soon as the all clear is given. I can just imagine a passenger starting to work on the laptop and the person in front all of a sudden flopping his/her seat back. I would not be a happy camper!

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

It most certainly isn't 6 inches. Just a quick Google searched said 3 inches is pretty much the farthest with 2 inches being more common.

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

Are we talking space or penises? I’m going back & forth between 2 threads. I’m old so it doesn’t take much to confuse me!🥴 Excuse me I have to run to the potty...I read your first line again!

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

Hahaha!! The amount an airplane seat reclines. Lol!

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[–] kspkap (13030) 4 years ago

You have to read the DoggieDaddy thread where Buckswope and I are going back & forth. OMGosh, read the link I posted!

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[–] chilone (17262) 4 years ago

I swore off the politics forums but I'll have a peek. :)

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Yes its rude! for all the reasons people have outlined above.
Not sure why airline seats do this.
Cars and busses dont.
Just because a facility id there and paid for doesent mean you have to be a dick about it, same as:
Talking overly loudly ,
playing music loudly
unshoeing your sweaty feet.
eating smelly raw fish you brought with you
etc ad infintum
even using 2 armrests - greedy!

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

I've taken several buss tours in Europe and they always have reclining seats and I don't recall this ever being an issue. Spending 12-14 days on the road with the same group and eating meals with them - you would think someone would mention it if it was a problem.

What do you mean cars don't have reclining seats?

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

sorry ,yeah , cars do . Ive reclined them fully and tried to sleep before now , but not when someones in the seat behind.
I travelled all over the US on the Greyhounds too, i dont remember people reclining then , do greyhounds recline?

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[–] CoreyHaimFan (1031) 4 years ago

I've never reclined but if I did I wouldn't feel bad about it. Why did the plane get designed with reclining seats if they didn't want them to be used in such a manner?

Don't like it? Take it up with the airline company. Maybe everyone should recline. Wouldn't that solve the problem?

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[–] AmeriGirl26 (12280) 4 years ago

I can't sleep while sitting up, so reclining my seat does nothing for me :(. Can't imagine what it must be like for people to travel overseas on super-long flights where sleeping is encouraged.

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

I've taken two really long flights - Detroit to Beijing - 14 hours and JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa - almost 16 hours. Trust me - everyone was reclining their seats.

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[–] AmeriGirl26 (12280) 4 years ago

Wow O_O

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

maybe when its nighttime its ok - signalled by when the crew put the lights out

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[–] 10200 (656) 4 years ago

Nighttime -that's funny - on the Beijing flight I believe we left around noon and since we were going west and chased the sun it never got dark until we arrived in China. On the flight to Africa it did get dark but only for a few hours.

On other long haul flights I've been on, they serve a meal and then lights out on the plane - even coming home from Europe, which is usually a daytime flight. Some people watch movies, but the majority try to catch some zzzzzz'. I always try to sleep as much as possible on long flights because it helps with jet lag and time confusion.

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