Passenger seated behind me
Jul 25, 2014, 6:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: None that I am proud of anymore
Posts: 571
There are two ways to recline the seat - the first would meet the seal of
approval as a civilized method - merely turn around look back at passenger
behind you and state you are about to recline the seat slowly till you reach
its limits.
The other is the 'Slam Bam' dump your seat back right down as fast as
you can pinching fingers computer audio cords spilling drinks and food
askew and perhaps causing the tray table to launch its contents any
which way from normal -or- even make physical contact with the person
behind while they are reaching for something underneath the seat or writing
a note on their tray table - dozens of other scenarios.
Me thinks the be nice method is the best of the two.
Now I will go to a neutral corner and expect to clobbered by comments !
approval as a civilized method - merely turn around look back at passenger
behind you and state you are about to recline the seat slowly till you reach
its limits.
The other is the 'Slam Bam' dump your seat back right down as fast as
you can pinching fingers computer audio cords spilling drinks and food
askew and perhaps causing the tray table to launch its contents any
which way from normal -or- even make physical contact with the person
behind while they are reaching for something underneath the seat or writing
a note on their tray table - dozens of other scenarios.
Me thinks the be nice method is the best of the two.
Now I will go to a neutral corner and expect to clobbered by comments !
Jul 25, 2014, 6:50 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: On the road somewhere
Programs: DL, National, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 4,304
There's no need to feel guilty. You paid for the seat, you can recline as you want.
I generally don't recline as well, and I understand why you didn't want to make the situation worse.
Being hit in the head with a backpack/purse/etc like that is absolutely ridiculous considering it was over you reclining your seat. I'm not a confrontational person at all, but I would've confronted her about that and definitely taken it to the FA and probably pressed assault charges. Unfortunately we're in the world these days where people are that full of themselves.
I generally don't recline as well, and I understand why you didn't want to make the situation worse.
Being hit in the head with a backpack/purse/etc like that is absolutely ridiculous considering it was over you reclining your seat. I'm not a confrontational person at all, but I would've confronted her about that and definitely taken it to the FA and probably pressed assault charges. Unfortunately we're in the world these days where people are that full of themselves.
Jul 25, 2014, 7:26 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL - Diamond. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum. Starwoods - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 192
What was her facial expression when you landed and stood up to walk of the plane? I assume you looked at how this nut head was?
-ok
-ok
Jul 25, 2014, 7:31 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
It's called a laptop for a reason, it's not a seatback traytop. The seats recline for a reason. Some people think the world revolves around them and when it doesn't they are prone to temper tantrums. Given the health condition of OP it sounds like the lady is lucky. Her fit throwing could have worsened the situation.
Jul 25, 2014, 7:35 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Slam bam thankyou ma'amEDIT - IBTL - so many seat recline threads - I bet it is Carnarsie that locks this thread - the bet is a Sapphire Martini
Jul 25, 2014, 7:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA-MKE-PHX
Programs: Ex DL-DM. MM. TWA-Aviator Plat. HHonors-DVIP, MR-Gold. Nat-Emerald. Avis Chairmn.
Posts: 1,925
Nahh. Why would he spoil the fun?
Jul 25, 2014, 7:48 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 1,995
Jul 25, 2014, 7:55 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta GM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 32
I used to never recline my seat, but as I got older and dealt with back stiffness it became a necessity.
I think the right way to recline is by slowly leaning back. That way the person behind you has plenty of time to move stuff around. I only recline about 1/2 way so I doubt i ever get the person behind me annoyed.
Then again I mostly sit in EC or exit row with recline so we got that extra space.
I think the right way to recline is by slowly leaning back. That way the person behind you has plenty of time to move stuff around. I only recline about 1/2 way so I doubt i ever get the person behind me annoyed.
Then again I mostly sit in EC or exit row with recline so we got that extra space.
Jul 25, 2014, 9:22 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,356
this ... but still it's nice to preflight the landing zone
Jul 26, 2014, 1:03 am
#25
Used to be 'flymanbeast'
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Delta silver/marriot platinum
Posts: 2,795
Just give her a parachute and kick her out of the plane problem solved
Jul 26, 2014, 1:28 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Liftime Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 1,752
I really like the "SLAM BAM". You are lucky you are flying in the US. Nothing is worse than flying domestic in China. I have seen and experienced things you can only dream of.
Jul 26, 2014, 4:38 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL PM, SPG Platinum
Posts: 616
When I recline my seat, I always make sure to do it very slowly. That gives the person behind me ample notice that it's happening and can move laptops if needed.
Jul 26, 2014, 9:01 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SoFla (formerly NYC Metro)
Programs: DL PM, UA Prem1K, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 25,694
Jul 26, 2014, 9:14 am
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
I was on a flight last week from LAX - BNA. I decided about 2 1/2 hours into the flight to take a nap, so I let my seat back. I usually don't do this, but have had some health issues and really didn't feel well. When I did this, the woman behind me immediately began cursing, slammed her computer down on her tray table and then slammed her tray table closed 3 times as hard as she could. She never said anyting to me, just continued to curse. Then she she took her bag out from under her seat and threw it on the top of my seat, hitting me in the head. She kept this up for about 10 minutes. I never acknowleged her and never moved my seat. I know that I will be beaten up for not putting my seat up, but I chose to ignore her. I would have moved it up had she asked and been at least reasonable about it. I thought about getting the FA involved, but decided that it might make the situation worse. I thought about telling her that I am having heart issues, which is true, but figured she wouldn't care. 
I just needed to tell my story - thanks!
I just needed to tell my story - thanks!IBTL
Jul 26, 2014, 9:16 am
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
After repeated slamming of the tray, or being hit, I certainly would have got the FA immediately.
