Have you tried offering just one person 10% of the ticket price to get 10% more room (compared with the seat in front reclined) just for yourself?

If someone finds they can't recline (for any reason), what's wrong with asking for miles or a voucher? If someone finds they can't use their tray table (for any reason), what's wrong with asking for miles or a voucher? I did not say your request would or would not be granted.

The fact that the recline exists gives the person seated there the right to recline. It is up to the airline, not the person behind, to say no to that and occasionally the airline does say no to accommodate a baby seat behind or someone who is disabled behind.

I suppose a case can be made for someone behind who must occupy the space and cannot permit the recline but the desire or need to use the space does not trump the recline.

With everyone simply sitting back motionless, there are very few instances (I think knees and baby seats are the only instances) when anyone else's recline would cause discomfort and if your situation is not one of those instances, you have no case against the recliner.

It is the responsibility of any passenger in the way, whether beside or in front, to yield to someone wishing to go to the rest room.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

If you pull the tray table towards you, will the laptop sit open on the tray table without falling?

Keep in mind that the Knee Defender (tm) defends knees only, not laptops or drinks.

What good is seatguru.com if you use that to help select seats that do recline and then you find you cannot?