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I hate it when I fly and the person in front of me reclines their seat.
Hate. It.
(I doubt there’s anyone masochistic enough who says, “Yes, I love it when someone crushes my knees.)
But it’s that passenger’s seat and their right to recline. I don’t have to like it — but I accept it.
However, some seat recliners need a stern talking-to.
Inconsiderate #@&%ers
I don’t mind so much when the person in front of me slowly reclines their seat. I wish they’d keep their seat upright but that’s out of my control. Even nicer is when they glance back to see if someone is seated behind him — and know to gently recline.
But why do some people press the “recline” button and quickly (or, more accurately, “violently”) slam their seats back?
Want to recline? Fine. But are they trying to prove a point? Marking their territory? Itching to start a fight? Dripping with enough money to replace someone’s laptop, pay for their dry cleaning bill from spilled drinks and food, and co-pays from injured knees? (Or worse, an injured head if the victim was reaching under the offender’s seat.)
So, Spent the Money and Get Better Seats!
Waah! some people will say to me. If you’re going to complain, why not pay for seats where there’s a lot of legroom? You won’t have to worry about people reclining!
Well, that’s actually why I started pursuing elite stats with airlines! I wanted to book exit row seats at no extra charge. Most exit row seats have extra legroom and the seats in front of them can’t recline.
It’s also why I prefer bulkhead seats. Even though certain travel companions complain about “the TV is in the armrest!” that’s far better than some jackhole in front of us ramming their seatbacks into our knees.
When I flew from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York-Kennedy (JFK) in Delta’s premium economy seats, the inconsiderate woman in front of me slammed her seat back the second our plane’s wheels left the LAX runway. But I still enjoyed acceptable legroom.
For people like them, I generally have no problem using their seats as handles when I need to stand up. Or lean into the seatback when I need to reach something under.
Final Approach
Seat reclining is as inevitable as death, taxes, and my Minnesota Twins not winning another World Series during the next 40 years. We must accept that.
But why do some cretins slam their seats back? What do you think?
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I agree with this. Every word of it.
I like you, stogieguy.
I complete agree. Even in business class depending on your height/size, you still may not have enough room. It would be nice if they could be considerate enough to turn around and announce they are going to recline their seat.
It’s because you can’t fix stupid and in this day and age, civility and respect for others is lost.
We noticed this year, that Exit Rows are now only in Comfort Plus, at least for the domestic flights we have booked so far. No more extra leg room unless you pay extra. My tall husband is not so happy.
It depends on the aircraft and how the airline markets each cabin. Exit rows on Delta’s 737s are Main Cabin. The rear exits on A320s are Main Cabin. I believe the over-wing and rear cabin exits on some 757-300s are Main Cabin, as well.
On A321’s the forward exit row, 13, is Comfort Plus. Now that I am a lowly Gold Medallion®, I have to cross fingers for the upgrade. Probably best to pay for it when booking. Great job Chris, look forward to all the updates.
The rear exits are available to Golds and Silvers! (And thanks for the kind words.)
Thanks for the heads up. Not a fan of being so far back, plus I think it is right near the lav. First world problems:)
Good to note, Chris. Thank you.
IMO, having a seat in my face sux. It’s why I select a front row seat whenever I can.
I don’t tend to recline my seat, but when I do I look behind me and try to make eye contact and then gently recline.
Something else along those lines that bothers me (e.g., “rude passengers”) is when the a-hole behind you YANKS on the back of your seat to pull themselves up out of their seat. I almost spilled coffee on myself when some d-bag decided to use my seat as his personal pull up bar. I turned around and said, “excuse me, but not only what you did was rude, it almost caused me to spill my hot coffee on me. I, and everyone who sits in front of you in the future, would appreciate it if you would not use the seat in front of you to pull yourself up.”
I didn’t get an apology or even a gesture of, “I’m sorry”, rather I got a glare after I admonished him and when he sat back down – grabbing my seat again (because of course he did) he called me a forking icehole, but I got the last laugh when we stood up to deplane and he noticed I was 6 inches taller and about 70 pounds heavier and he averted his eyes as I stared at him.
As he was passing by me on the way to his next gate I said, “don’t be an a-hole and be mindful of others in a shared space you won’t get scolded like a 5 year-old in public.” My voice was angry enough that he kept his head down and hustled to his next gate. I hope he took what I said to heart but I doubt it.
Note to self (and others): use common sense and manners around Brian! 🙂
Unfortunately as I said in my post civility is lost and rudeness and selfishness rules the day. We got a bargain upgrade to Delta One ATL-Barcelona in April and are in the first row of PS Rome-ATL. Watch regularly for cheap upgrades as they are worth every penny. Safe travels.
I try to avoid reclining my seat but when the passenger in front of me reclines, it starts a chain reaction. He/she reclines and then I am nearly forced to recline too, simply to be able to eat my (gourmet?) dinner, open my laptop, or even read comfortably. Then of course, my reclining forces the person behind me to recline as well, and so on, and so on. It’s unfortunate that seemingly more and more folks recline their seats, and do so ASAP. I think some folks must have discovered the app to link your seat recline function to the airplane’s landing gear position……take-off roll, rotate, lift, wheels up, and seat recline! Just like that!
I agreed with all you said , except the feeling about the Twins., have a little faith!
I dislike the slamming and it happens a lot! ALso the banging on the TV screen behind my head.. ANd banging the back of my seat with their feet.
Sorry to those that I may have slammed in the knees, it was truly inadvertent. I am an active 70 year old that weighs 92# (5’2″) and most often travel with my husband (both Diamond Two Million Milers and he is close to going three). Not new to flying or the ‘seat recline debate’. The “magic button” that reclines the seat must take 100#s+ of thrust that my thumbs often do not have. I do try to turn and make eye contact or at least give the look that says ‘sorry, I’m’ coming back. If, all by my little self, I am able to press the button I try to be gentle but am often thrust back in one fell swoop because I have been pushing my head into the headrest so hard to get it to go back. Surely, someone can come up with a more efficient and operable recline mechanism!!!
Funny you mention this, Debbi. I like exit rows and bulkheads — but the seats are narrower and tighter because the tray tables are in the arm rests. I’m about 6’1″ and weigh more than two Debbis. It’s easy for me to inadvertently nudge the recline button when adjusting in my seat. I genuinely feel bad!
I had a guy in first class on an old DL MD-80 slam one of those incredibly thick seats back as hard and fast as he could a few minutes after we hit 10,000 feet. Unfortunately, it was also the time I was opening up my laptop and getting ready to do some work on the short flight from ORD to ATL. There was a cracking sound that turned out to be the plastic bezel around my monitor. It was a great story to tell my corporate IT guy when I turned in my laptop later that year. It happens in all cabins on the plane and honestly I feel like it’s the worst in first class where there’s this sense of entitlement among certain passengers.
That. Stinks.
Here’s what’s interesting about domestic first class (read: domestic business class) on most narrowbodies: the legroom isn’t actually all that great. The seats are usually better than the ones in coach (*ahem* Delta A321neo). But if someone reclines toward you, it’s less first class-y than before.