Originally Posted by Orion

I boarded a Delta flight from JAX to ATL yesterday evening and brought my seat into the upright and locked position where it stayed for about twenty seconds. After five or six attempts I snagged a flight attendant who reluctantly listened to my concern. The seat would not stay in the upright and locked for position. I asked her what I should do during take off and landing. She said, "it's o.k. If it won't, it won't". I told her I thought it was a safety issue. She said, "Don't worry. You tried". Then she added that if we try to fix it here we probably won't get home today. I never saw her again.
Am I wrong but I seem to recall several decades of being required to bring my seatback into the upright and locked position. Is this now optional at the airlines choosing?