I don't understand why the airlines even allow the seats to recline. There's just not enough room to recline without causing discomfort to the people behind. There's no other situation I can think of where it's considered ok to lie down in the lap of another person in public! Personally, I don't see much benefit in reclining anyway. I can sleep as well or as badly sitting up as I can reclining.


I call it Mutually Assured Discomfort. If the person in front of you reclines, your only recourse is to gain a little space by reclining also, thus spreading the discomfort to those behind you. My policy is that I only recline if both the person in front and the person behind is already doing it.

I read someone's comment that the reclining person paid for their seat, so they have a right to recline. I disagree, but I mainly blame the airlines for allowing it.

On a recent flight, I complained to a flight attendent and suggested that the airline fix the seats so they couldn't recline. She acted surprised and said that she hadn't heard anyone complain about it before. I find that very hard to believe!

[This message has been edited by Orville (edited 08-26-2002).]