Reclining seatback while plane at gate?

repcool · Dec 20, 12, 5:52 pm

I was on a flight back from Hawaii to Denver a few weeks ago in F on a 757. It was a on red eye so I wanted to sleep, at the gate I slowly reclined my seat to get the Z process started. The guy behind me proceeded to push an kick my seat. I asked him to stop but he said I was breaking the rules by reclining before take off.

For taxi I put it upright, of course and then reclined again after take off. He continued to push and prod for the entire flight. I think he had no manners at all. Thoughts?

I have since changed my F selection on no lay flats to be the last row with nobody behind!

mherdeg · Dec 20, 12, 5:56 pm

I am somehow reminded of the dueling threads Rude guy in front of me banged my head during boarding, then called me an @** and I nearly got thrown off a CO flight for saying this; (I think there was a third thread somewhere, and a fourth joke?).

Antipode · Dec 20, 12, 6:05 pm

I don't think there is any rule about reclining while at the gate, so my understanding is the same as yours. As long as it's upright during taxi/takeoff/landing, I don't see a problem.

MayorMcKnife · Dec 20, 12, 6:12 pm

My pet peave is the person that slams their seat back giving me no notice. I rarely reclince, but when I do, I ease it back slowly.

pbearmedic · Dec 20, 12, 6:19 pm

"I don't always fly United, but when I do, I prefer BusinessFirst" -The Most Interesting Man in the World

CKinMD · Dec 20, 12, 6:22 pm

Even when someone reclines during the meal service (which I think is rude), I still don't use that a reason to push, kick or otherwise mess with the seat in front of me. I really don't think you were out of line....but he was.

UA-NYC · Dec 20, 12, 6:31 pm

IMO you shouldn't be reclining your seat until you're in the air. Everyone around you will still have it upright - you should too.

goalie · Dec 20, 12, 6:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipode

I don't think there is any rule about reclining while at the gate, so my understanding is the same as yours. As long as it's upright during taxi/takeoff/landing, I don't see a problem.

And you can add a 100% agreement from me as well. The pax behind the OP was being a "jerk"

Antipode · Dec 20, 12, 6:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MayorMcKnife

My pet peave is the person that slams their seat back giving me no notice. I rarely reclince, but when I do, I ease it back slowly.

I try to recline slowly too, but sometimes the seat gets "stuck" so I have to keep pushing harder just to get the seat to recline. And when it finally goes, I sometimes accidentally slam it back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKinMD

Even when someone reclines during the meal service (which I think is rude)

This is a good point. IMO I think it's OK if you are reclined during the meal service if you are actually sitting reclined. But most of the time, people leave their seats reclined even though they're sitting upright in their seat, so there's absolutely no need to leave it that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UA-NYC

IMO you shouldn't be reclining your seat until you're in the air. Everyone around you will still have it upright - you should too.

I actually see people reclined during boarding / at the gate quite frequently. It might be polite to wait until people in the row behind you are seated (especially in Y), but I don't think it's such a big deal.

MBS PremExec · Dec 20, 12, 6:52 pm

Reason #50 why I like the last row of F on every plane, especially the 757. And I can fly in it again since they 'righted' the meal order taking process.

ddrost1 · Dec 20, 12, 7:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS PremExec

Reason #50 why I like the last row of F on every plane, especially the 757. And I can fly in it again since they 'righted' the meal order taking process.

still crew dependent. in 3 of my last 4 F flights, meal orders were taken front to back and not in status order. all four flights were pmCO cabin crews. YMMV.

WineCountryUA · Dec 20, 12, 7:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddrost1

... meal orders were taken front to back and not in status order. ....

Not problem taking request front to back, as long as the prioritized done in the galley is by the new status based process. IMHO hopping around the cabin is best to be avoided.

fedup flyer · Dec 20, 12, 7:49 pm

I don't think you should recline your seat while on the ground.

It makes getting in or out more difficult for the person behind you.
So what if you had a ground evac while at the gate? It has happened.

Before taxi & T/O, your just gonna have to put it up anyway.
At least by not reclining, the F/A won't have to wake you.

LilAbner · Dec 20, 12, 7:52 pm

Just changed ALL of my MR's for first 3 mo's of next year to last row of First on every itin that I'm already upgraded on. Don't know why I decided to change to further up, but I need my recline with no bumping and kicking. Thanks for the reminder OP!

donjo · Dec 20, 12, 8:00 pm

Not sure what the big deal is. Most seats don't go back that far anyway. If the person in front of me puts their seat back, the last thing on my mind is how can I annoy them for the rest of the flight.