Seat Reclining on Planes: It Ain’t What You Do, It’s the Way That You Do It

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?