To recline or not recline
 

[url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/12/09/reclining.seat.rant/?hpt=C2]Air rage: Is reclining your seat a right? - CNN.com[/url]

Personally I don't do it, because the seating is so cramped as it is, and really that extra inch or two doesn't make me any more comfortable.

Seems that I always the guy in front of me who cranks his seat back first chance he gets, and my knees are already dug into the seat to begin with. Personally I think they should just get rid of reclining seats.

What do you do?

Re: To recline or not recline
 

I glance back if the seat behind is empty I do it, if it is a child or little person I do it. If I see a OL man I don't do it. If it is a gray area I turn around and ask if they mind.

But all in all it makes little difference to you or the person behind you. The bottom of your seat actually moves forward in the back and the top comes down lower. I don't think it technically changes their area space it is more a mental think.

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My knees would beg to differ, what little "room" I have definitely suffers

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Personally I hate when they do that, but I have started to always do the small upgrade that gives you 5" more room, that little bit means my knees never hit the other persons seat. Awesome

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I don't recline out of consideration for those behind me. If there is no one back there, game on, but the "comfort" you get from the coach seats is minimal regardless. Ah, for the days of government funded 1st class.

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I generally decide based on the length of the flight. If they serve at least one meal, I'm reclining

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I do not recline unless reclined upon. It's like a domino effect.

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The space in front of you belongs to you not the recliner. I look at the person behind me to see if they are comfortable. If they are I recline a little bit, if they're not I don't. I don't allow people in front of me to recline unless I am in an economy plus or exit row seat. As soon as someone in front of me start to recline I tap them the shoulder to let them know I don't have space and reclining is not an option. They usually comply and don't recline but I have had this one guy look at me funny once and continue to recline so I pushed his seat forward and didn't allow it to recline. After a few minutes the flight attendant walked by and I told her of the situation and she told him he couldn't recline. That was the end of it.


I always try to fly United and purchase an Economy Plus seat or get to the airport early and ask for an exit row seat.

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It's not the reclining person's fault, it is the airline for scrunching people in. I am a pretty tall and lanky person, so it can bother me, but then I recline right back.

I usually recline whenever I feel like it. I do take into consideration the person behind me. If they look uncomfortable or if they are large, then I won't. Otherwise tough luck, I paid for my comfort and I am going to use it.

Just hope you don't sit behind me.

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[QUOTE=hooskins;767069]It's not the reclining person's fault, it is the airline for scrunching people in. I am a pretty tall and lanky person, so it can bother me, but then I recline right back.

I usually recline whenever I feel like it. I do take into consideration the person behind me. If they look uncomfortable or if they are large, then I won't. Otherwise tough luck, I paid for my comfort and I am going to use it.

[B]Just hope you don't sit behind me.[[/B]/QUOTE]


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I agree with the lady from Emily Post. It is function of the seat. When you buy a ticket you get two expectations(among many others also): 1. you may recline at your leisure. 2. you may be reclined upon whether you like it or not.

I try not to do it out of courtesy but I don't expect the person in front of me to do the same. The space within the "recline zone" isn't simply one person's space..it is "shared" space that the recliner has a right to over the person behind.

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I don't recline (ever), but that's because I've always attributed reclining to laziness.

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[quote=hooskins;767069]It's not the reclining person's fault, it is the airline for scrunching people in. I am a pretty tall and lanky person, so it can bother me, but then I recline right back.

I usually recline whenever I feel like it. I do take into consideration the person behind me. If they look uncomfortable or if they are large, then I won't. Otherwise tough luck, [B]I paid for my comfort and I am going to use it.
[/B]
Just hope you don't sit behind me.[/quote]

Well technically you didn't pay for "your comfort" unless you bought some version of an upgraded seat that gives you more room. As you pointed out the airlines are selling seats in a sardine can, and it would be nice if you feel that you want to pay for comfort then buy the upgrade that Saden and I mentioned, so that you really are paying for it, otherwise you really could respect the other people that are also just trying to get from point a to point b in an economical fashion.

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@ CRedskins: I really don't agree with that. As FRPLG said, it's a part of the ticket you pay for. There are no rules which tell you not to recline. The button needs to be removed if something the airline feels like the passenger should not do. I don't know why I have to fork over extra money to do something each ticket allows you to do.

With all this being said, I don't recline if someone is large or looks uncomfortable. I travel 70% of the time for work, and I have never had anyone complain, grunt, etc. about reclining. If someone asked me to bring my seat back up, in a polite manner, I would do it. If they think the area in front of them is their God given right, and are a prick about it, I would not bring my seat upright.

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[quote=hooskins;767088]@ CRedskins: I really don't agree with that. As FRPLG said, it's a part of the ticket you pay for. There are no rules which tell you not to recline. The button needs to be removed if something the airline feels like the passenger should not do. I don't know why I have to fork over extra money to do something each ticket allows you to do.

With all this being said, I don't recline if someone is large or looks uncomfortable. I travel 70% of the time for work, and I have never had anyone complain, grunt, etc. about reclining. If someone asked me to bring my seat back up, in a polite manner, I would do it. If they think the area in front of them is their God given right, and are a prick about it, I would not bring my seat upright.[/quote]

Well I always just kinda dealt with it when the person in front did. I understand the point that it's a part of the seat, my only difference with your first statement was you said you paid for comfort, and I don't think anyone buying the economy tickets (myself included) is paying for comfort, instead we are paying for the transportation from point a to b. I agree that, since it's a part of the seat you have the "right", to me it's just not respectful, unless it's a little child or small woman behind you. That doesn't give the other person a right to be a prick about it either.

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[quote=FRPLG;767074]I agree with the lady from Emily Post. It is function of the seat. When you buy a ticket you get two expectations(among many others also): 1. you may recline at your leisure. 2. you may be reclined upon whether you like it or not.

I try not to do it out of courtesy but I don't expect the person in front of me to do the same. The space within the "recline zone" isn't simply one person's space..it is "shared" space that the recliner has a right to over the person behind.[/quote]


How can it be shared space when my fcking legs are there?

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CRedskin I understand what you are saying but to me, when I buy a ticket I am not only paying for simple transport. I am paying for my carry-on weight, my soda, my pretzels, etc. On airlines like Air Tran, with free XM radio, I factor that into the ticket too. So when I say I am paying for comfort, I am saying a portion of my ticket pays for the physical seat which gives me an option to recline, and increase my comfort level. Basically reclining, and therefore that comfort, is a part of the ticket. Perhaps not the main part, but a part nonetheless.

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[quote=saden1;767097]How can it be shared space when my fcking legs are there?[/quote]

Because the person with the seat in front bought a ticket for a seat that reclines and you bought a seat with a seat in front of you that can recline. You don't like it don't buy the ticket.

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[quote=hooskins;767107]CRedskin I understand what you are saying but to me, when I buy a ticket I am not only paying for simple transport. I am paying for my carry-on weight, my soda, my pretzels, etc. On airlines like Air Tran, with free XM radio, I factor that into the ticket too. So when I say I am paying for comfort, I am saying a portion of my ticket pays for the physical seat which gives me an option to recline, and increase my comfort level. Basically reclining, and therefore that comfort, is a part of the ticket. Perhaps not the main part, but a part nonetheless.[/quote]
I agree. I think the purchase of the seat and its practical functions trumps the purchase of a seat and the space around it.

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Reclining seats are rude. They should not even be an option in planes. Some clown in front of me wants to sleep so i get his seat rammed in my face. Rediculous...

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Those who are pissed can buy seats behind exit rows. Exit row seats cannot recline, correct? Or is the seats in front of the exit rows cannot recline.

Either way, you can get tickets for seats that do not get obstructed.

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[quote=FRPLG;767112]Because the person with the seat in front bought a ticket for a seat that reclines and you bought a seat with a seat in front of you that can recline. [B]You don't like it don't buy the ticket[/B].[/quote]

Oh really? And what exactly are you going to do when my hands hold up your seat or I keep banging on your comfortably reclined seat with my knees? It's my fcking space and I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

May the biggest dick wins and I'm always in it to win it.

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[quote=hooskins;767116]Those who are pissed can buy seats behind exit rows. Exit row seats cannot recline, correct? Or is the seats in front of the exit rows cannot recline.

Either way, you can get tickets for seats that do not get obstructed.[/quote]


The first exit row can not recline into the second exit row. And you can't always get those seats because they are limited and often times sold out. I suppose if you're tall you can travel by car, train, buy your ticket early, upgrade to better class, or be the dick behind the dick who won't allow the dick front of him recline his seat.

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I typically turn around and say, "Hey, do you mind if I recline? Seriously, if you need the space I don't mind staying up."

Most of the time, I'm typically so sleepy I could sleep with someone stabbing me in the neck on an airplane, so I'm a back example.

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[quote=saden1;767120]Oh really? And what exactly are you going to do when my hands hold up your seat or I keep banging on your comfortably reclined seat with my knees? It's my fcking space and I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

May the biggest dick wins and I'm always in it to win it.[/quote]

What a winning personality you have.

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It's about respect.
Out of respect I will cover my cough and *try* to hold in my gas.
I won't listed to 2 Live Crew or read playboy/penthouse on the plane.
I could, it's my right but I won't.

I don't like recliners but I try not to let is stress me out. The only time it's a problem is if it's a tall person and I have to look at their scalp. I've actually counted the freckles on a bald guys head...
on a flight from Chicago to San Diego, The guy two seats to my right started coughing continuously when the guy in front of him reclined. As soon as he put his seat up and moved, the coughing stopped. I might need to use that one day.

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[quote=FRPLG;767147]What a winning personality you have.[/quote]

It's liberating.

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These post are the reasons the few times I fly I go first class.

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[quote=jamf;767150]It's about respect.
Out of respect I will cover my cough and *try* to hold in my gas.
I won't listed to 2 Live Crew or read playboy/penthouse on the plane.
I could, it's my right but I won't.

I don't like recliners but I try not to let is stress me out. The only time it's a problem is if it's a tall person and I have to look at their scalp. I've actually counted the freckles on a bald guys head...
on a flight from Chicago to San Diego, The guy two seats to my right started coughing continuously when the guy in front of him reclined. As soon as he put his seat up and moved, the coughing stopped. I might need to use that one day.[/quote]

This.

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Man I think I am just going to start flying to Seattle, in the hopes saden1 is sitting behind me. I would recline like it's nobody's business.

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[quote=jamf;767150]It's about respect.
Out of respect I will cover my cough and *try* to hold in my gas.
I won't listed to 2 Live Crew or read playboy/penthouse on the plane.
I could, it's my right but I won't.

I don't like recliners but I try not to let is stress me out. The only time it's a problem is if it's a tall person and I have to look at their scalp. I've actually counted the freckles on a bald guys head...
on a flight from Chicago to San Diego, The guy two seats to my right started coughing continuously when the guy in front of him reclined. As soon as he put his seat up and moved, the coughing stopped. I might need to use that one day.[/quote]


Great points but the way I see it it's not a curtsy issue. I liken this situation to not flying your airplanes into United States airspace without permission. Just because you got an airplane that can fly anywhere doesn't mean you can take it anywhere. The space in front of my seat is my airspace and you can't fly your seat through it. Very simple.

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[quote=hooskins;767236]Man I think I am just going to start flying to Seattle, in the hopes saden1 is sitting behind me. I would recline like it's nobody's business.[/quote]


I will make your flight miserable and enjoy doing it (the S10 of flying)....and after I'm done I will call the flight attendant and have you recline back up....hopefully you're stupid enough not to listen to them so when I push the seat so hard your face hits the seat in front of you I will have cover.

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Ya know, this situation reminds me of the yeonpyeong islands. maybe the UN can mediate between hooskins and saden, and come to a technical cease-fire. Still have to watch out for the incidental shelling though!

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[quote=CRedskinsRule;767242]Ya know, this situation reminds me of the yeonpyeong islands. maybe the UN can mediate between hooskins and saden, and come to a technical cease-fire. Still have to watch out for the incidental shelling though![/quote]

I resolve all my conflicts through rock/paper/scissors and if that doesn't jive I imagine I'll be smashing your head with the rock, stabbing your neck with the scissors and leaving a blood soaked note on your chest that reads "Darwin Award Candidate."

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if i feel like it, i recline. ive never had an issue with it personally. never had a person kick or hold up my seat back, never had an issue with someone reclining into me, yeah its a bit annoying when someone puts their seat back but thats just the way it is. im of the thought that the person in front of me has a right to recline.

if someone asked me nicely to move my seat back up and they had a legit reason (i.e. tall person) then i would most certainly do so unless it was a long flight and i wanted to try and get some sleep, then i would tell them "sure no problem but when i get tired im going to have to put my seat back".

if it was some small person or a person who wanted to use their laptop on their tray and my reclining effected that, i probably wouldnt unless they asked very nicely.

some people recline, others dont.

i had to fly with my lil brothers girlfriend last week. she said repeatedly before the trip that she doesnt like sitting next to strangers on the plane. we fly southwest, she is OCD so she pretty much gets in the first boarding group, im usually in the last group.

so she gets on early, grabs an aisle seat with a stranger sitting in the window seat, so when i come on the plane i have to first go back 20 rows to find an over head storage bin (which goes against my civil rules, put your overhead above your head rule), then i have to sit in the middle seat next to a stranger and her. kinda sucks but whatever. when the plane lands im that ahole who has to push thru people to get back to where my overhead carry on is.

so on the flight back, same set up but she boards alil before i do this time, but this time there is a complete empty row right behind her yet she still chose a row where someone was already sitting in the window seat and she took the aisle seat to force me into the middle seat and to ensure a stranger doesnt sit next to her.

well, i had already had it with this know-it-all, i want an expensive wedding law school student, so when i see the set up i tell her im sitting in another row. just realy rude of her to place her wants of having an aisle seat and not having to sit next to a stranger vs placing me in the middle seat next to a stranger, which i dont mind, i had a great conversation with a minnesota grandma on the way up. but to force me to sit in the middle seat unnecessarily, man, eff that with a wiffle ball bat.

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I try to avoid anything like planes where your stuck/crammed into something with a bunch of people and you have no control over the situation. If I was stuck on the tarmac (sp?) for 5 or 6 hours like you read about I would go nuts until they had no choice but to let me off the plane.

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I hate every part of flying. Every single freaking part. I'm terrified to fly, but I do it when I have to. I'm 6'3, so I hate it when the shithead in front of me reclines, but at that point I'm already so miserable it doesn't matter.

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There's now a 3 hour rule in effect for sitting on the tarmac. That's long enough as it is.

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[quote=Mattyk;767255]There's now a 3 hour rule in effect for sitting on the tarmac. That's long enough as it is.[/quote]

3 Hours! I'd start to go crazy after about 30min and my breaking point is around an hour.

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The worst is in the summer or a hot location, stuck on the tarmac. Many planes can't provide proper A/C until their engines are fully running.