Amtrak Guest Rewards - Do you ever turn seats to form a group of 4?

On a northbound AutoTrain trip last Monday (read: empty), I showed my Dad how I could fold up the thigh supports on two seats, step on the aisle pedal, and rotate the seat 180 degrees. With the thigh supports from all four seats bridging the gap between seats, I managed to form a 'bed' in coach.

Just wondering if others turn seats (in any car type) to suit their needs or do you feel it's inappropriate to do so without asking permission.

I've been admonished by train crew before for turning seats without permission. It's best to ask the conductor or coach attendant, who should hopefully assent to your request if a heavy passenger load is not expected or present (like with your example). But they generally don't like seats being turned if it's not for the purpose of accommodating parties of three or four. As always, YMMV. And if such permission is granted, please make clear that you will return the seats to their normal position before detraining.

If a pair of seats are turned, I wonder if that restricts the recline of the next pair of seats (now back-to-back with the turned pair). If so, that would be a reason to prohibit turning the seats even for a party of four.

Indeed, rotating a pair of seats to face backwards does restrict recline, and I dislike it if I'm in the seat affected.

I only do this on commuter trains where the seats do not recline.