Originally Posted by
msimons
While there is probably some validity to the maintenance, there is still the mfg's responsbility for a good design.
Primarily the failure mode for seat reclines must be well known; why not design it so if/when it fails, its in the upright position ?
That way the airline doesn't void the seat.
While the OEM could make the controls pretty much bulletproof, the airlines wouldn't buy them due to the expense. They are also made to specification so the airlines specs them out and a company makes them. The company won't spend any more than it must to produce a product to specifications. Pity the poor project manager who writes a shoddy spec.