To recline or not recline your seat on a flight.

[Miss Tequila]

Sept 4, 2014 11:57:32 GMT -5 Mardi Gras Audrey said:

I used to fly a lot for work and in general, I think reclining (and, more importantly, how people recline) is rude.

I think people are overlooking the fact that it depends a lot on what is going on behind you. If the person behind you is tall or carries most of their length in their legs, reclining can mean that their legs get jammed into the back of your seat. That is painful and unnecessary. People overlook that manners and etiquette are about considering other people and how your behavior affects them.

I view tallness differently from obesity. You can't do anything about your height or where your length is (legs vs. torso). People have a lot more control over obesity and being large (I know, I know, there are a few people out there who have med issues and can't but let's get real... in general, most 500 lb people didn't get there from being "big boned" or having a "slow metabolism"). As such, I don't think people who are tall should have to pay more for a longer seat. If that was the case, I think that handicapped people should have to pay for the services to get them on/off the plane.

Long story long, just consider what is going on behind you in your decision to recline. I turn around and ask the person if they mind before reclining. If the person is like 7 feet tall, I don't because I know it will hurt them. If the person is shorter and says they prefer I don't, I don't recline. The extra 1-2 inches of recline isn't going to improve my comfort enough as compared to making them miserable.

I am a seasoned traveler. I have NEVER had anyone ask me if they could recline.  Until chiver's thread last year bitching and moaning about the person in front of her reclining, I had never heard anyone complaining about someone using the seat as it is intended. 

[Miss Tequila]

Sept 4, 2014 11:58:34 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I fly 10 - 15 times a year and have never had any issues. My ex is 6'6" and flies all over the country.  He never once complained about anyone reclining.  Sometimes he was able to upgrade and sometimes he wasn't.  Next week I am flying to Dallas for a few days and then from Dallas to Vegas.  The flight to Dallas is very short so I probably won't recline anyway.  For the flight to Vegas my new plan is to recline my seat while people are boarding.  I will be one of the first on the plane because I am flying SWA and my company paid to guarantee me a group A boarding pass.  I figure if I recline until take off then people getting on the plane will know I plan to recline and they can either choose to sit behind me or not sit behind me.  It is their choice. 

You get to choose your seats? Dang, that must be nice!

[movingforward]

I have NEVER had anyone ask me if they could recline

[ArchietheDragon]

Sept 4, 2014 12:01:22 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Sept 4, 2014 11:58:34 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I fly 10 - 15 times a year and have never had any issues. My ex is 6'6" and flies all over the country.  He never once complained about anyone reclining.  Sometimes he was able to upgrade and sometimes he wasn't.  Next week I am flying to Dallas for a few days and then from Dallas to Vegas.  The flight to Dallas is very short so I probably won't recline anyway.  For the flight to Vegas my new plan is to recline my seat while people are boarding.  I will be one of the first on the plane because I am flying SWA and my company paid to guarantee me a group A boarding pass.  I figure if I recline until take off then people getting on the plane will know I plan to recline and they can either choose to sit behind me or not sit behind me.  It is their choice. 

You get to choose your seats? Dang, that must be nice!

South West is the only way to travel. 

[movingforward]

Sept 4, 2014 12:01:22 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Sept 4, 2014 11:58:34 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I fly 10 - 15 times a year and have never had any issues. My ex is 6'6" and flies all over the country.  He never once complained about anyone reclining.  Sometimes he was able to upgrade and sometimes he wasn't.  Next week I am flying to Dallas for a few days and then from Dallas to Vegas.  The flight to Dallas is very short so I probably won't recline anyway.  For the flight to Vegas my new plan is to recline my seat while people are boarding.  I will be one of the first on the plane because I am flying SWA and my company paid to guarantee me a group A boarding pass.  I figure if I recline until take off then people getting on the plane will know I plan to recline and they can either choose to sit behind me or not sit behind me.  It is their choice. 

You get to choose your seats? Dang, that must be nice!

I SWA.  It is the only airline I fly when it comes to domestic flights.  They just got their first international routes but only to  Mexico and the Caribbean. 

[Miss Tequila]

Sept 4, 2014 12:02:13 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Sept 4, 2014 12:01:22 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

You get to choose your seats? Dang, that must be nice!

South West is the only way to travel. 

I've been on southwest but only on chartered flights to Disney. Not quite the same.

[Gardening Grandma]

Sept 4, 2014 11:39:16 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't think it's rude to recline. I never even knew it was an issue with anyone until I read it on here, and I fly at least once a year.

Same here.  The only problem I have with recliners is that it is very difficult to get up and out of my seat (especially from the window or aisle) when the seat in front is reclined.  

as I said. efore, I don't recline during meal service (I'd rather sit up straight anyway) and I rarely recline on short flighs.  But itnever occurred to me that some consider it rude.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Sept 4, 2014 12:00:08 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Sept 4, 2014 11:57:32 GMT -5 Mardi Gras Audrey said:

I am a seasoned traveler. I have NEVER had anyone ask me if they could recline.  Until chiver's thread last year bitching and moaning about the person in front of her reclining, I had never heard anyone complaining about someone using the seat as it is intended. 

I guess if a short woman asks you that, you will know it's me! 

We used to fly several times a month over the curse of several years.  I saw during that time the changes in air travel (the seats got closer, food was removed, etc) and it was disappointing.  One of my co-workers was a larger guy (Not obese, just had very broad shoulders and long legs) and I saw how much pain/discomfort he was in when his legs were slammed into and he was literally body-to-body with his seat neighbor.  It just seemed creepy and wrong.  

Even being as short as I am, if the person in front of me reclines, I have to turn sideways to cross/uncross my legs.  Getting something from my bag under the seat? that requires my face smashed into the seat in front of me while I blindly dig through the bag to feel for whatever I need (The bag is a bookbag size backpack and it can't be pulled between the seatback and my seat if the person in front is reclined). 

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2014 12:02:13 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Sept 4, 2014 12:01:22 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

You get to choose your seats? Dang, that must be nice!

South West is the only way to travel. 

I also love Southwest.  I used to fly United and upgrade to economy plus when I flew for business (well worth the out of pocket cost to me) but the last time I did it didn't feel like I got any extra room. 

[Firebird]

Sept 4, 2014 12:01:42 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I have NEVER had anyone ask me if they could recline

That's because most people obviously don't give a crap.  I think asking/checking first is polite, that's all I'm saying. 

[HoneyBBQ]

So.... I need to buy *5* tickets.
I need to buy the seat in front of me so no one can recline into my space.

I need to buy the seat behind me, so when I DO recline, I don't inconvenience anyone.

I need to buy the seats on either side of me so my elbows/fat/knees don't accidentally touch anyone.

I get it now.

[achelois]

Sept 4, 2014 12:46:23 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

So.... I need to buy *5* tickets.
I need to buy the seat in front of me so no one can recline into my space.

I need to buy the seat behind me, so when I DO recline, I don't inconvenience anyone.

I need to buy the seats on either side of me so my elbows/fat/knees don't accidentally touch anyone.

I get it now.

By Jove, I think you've got it!  

[Firebird]

Devil's advocate here: Before you had Baby Bird, or before the incident happened to you on the plane that you mentioned, did you always ask the people behind you before you reclined your seat?

I've only reclined my seat twice, both on overnight flights when everyone else was reclined. 

I don't recline during any other time so asking is not an issue.  However, if I wanted to recline at this point, I would ask first. 

[Firebird]

OT:  I want to bite someone   Why is everyone already infected or immune?

And who bit me, anyhow?!? 

[swamp]

Sept 4, 2014 12:46:23 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

So.... I need to buy *5* tickets.
I need to buy the seat in front of me so no one can recline into my space.

I need to buy the seat behind me, so when I DO recline, I don't inconvenience anyone.

I need to buy the seats on either side of me so my elbows/fat/knees don't accidentally touch anyone.

I get it now.

No, you need to charter a plane, duh.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I don't think it's rude to recline. I never even knew it was an issue with anyone until I read it on here

And this is why I am going to publish a book on YM philosophy/etiquette. We really need to share our collective wisdom with the world.

[movingforward]

Sept 4, 2014 12:46:23 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

So.... I need to buy *5* tickets.
I need to buy the seat in front of me so no one can recline into my space.

I need to buy the seat behind me, so when I DO recline, I don't inconvenience anyone.

I need to buy the seats on either side of me so my elbows/fat/knees don't accidentally touch anyone.

I get it now.

No, you are just supposed to sit straight up for 12 hrs, hands in lap, head straight forward.  If you recline then the man child behind you has the right to kick your seat for 12 hrs because his comfort trumps that of everyone else, duh...

No need to buy a bunch of seats because this is how you are SUPPOSED to sit.

[Deleted]

I have never asked if it was ok if I reclined and I've never been asked.  for the 2 inches that the seat goes back I can't understand how it's a big deal.

[souldoubt]

According to ym it's a big deal because the 5'2 person behind you could be inconvenienced.  

[movingforward]

I guess the flight attendants really need to stop saying things like sit back, relax and enjoy your 9 hr flight to X.  They need to start saying sit back, relax and enjoy your flight as long as it is okay with the person behind you.

[mollyanna58]

Sept 4, 2014 12:46:23 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

So.... I need to buy *5* tickets.
I need to buy the seat in front of me so no one can recline into my space.

I need to buy the seat behind me, so when I DO recline, I don't inconvenience anyone.

I need to buy the seats on either side of me so my elbows/fat/knees don't accidentally touch anyone.

I get it now.

Except when the flight is overbooked, and the airline seats people in your vacant seats.  Or when you have the aisle seat or window seat open in front or back of you, and the person sitting in the middle seat moves over into the empty seat. 

[1Day@aTime]

Just got this email from Spirit airlines. LOL

Don't Recline (This Deal)!
Get $35 Off Flight-Only Bookings & Flights with Vacation Packages
With Spirit, you don't need to worry about fighting another passenger over a reclined seat...because our seats don't recline! And you don't need to pay extra for this bonus (it actually saves you money). Now let's save you even more cash for the heck of it: book a recline-free flight today! You can fly all the way to your destination without someone's chair in your lap. It's the new definition of luxury.

[Iggy aka IG]

First World Problems indeed.