Originally Posted by
jmcp1575
TBH it's not so much more comfortable without a seatbelt, I just leave it on
The issue is not that the seatbelt is uncomfortable while seated.
The issue is that it's difficult to get to the lav while your seatbelt is fastened.
I've been on recent flights where the announcements about the seatbelt sign being on were pretty forceful. I don't want to be on a five-hour flight and not be able to use the lav, particularly when, as another poster pointed out, I may have been in the gate area, re-satisfying TSA gate checks, boarding, waiting for take-off for some time before my flight even departs.
However, I also don't want to risk being singled out for punishment by an over-zealous FA.