Originally Posted by
Spent_All_My_Miles
There are quite a few people who care more about avoiding a seat reclining into them than about being able to recline.
I, for one, when in economy would gladly forgo reclining in exchange for not having someone recline in to me -- if someone is reclining into me, I can't use my laptop.
Originally Posted by
ethernal
Yes, 100% this. If an airline has 31" or less in pitch, recline should be removed. I would prefer 29" seat pitch with no recline than the risk of someone reclining into me than a 30-31" seat with a rude recliner in front of me (and yes, it is rude - even if you think you are "entitled" to that space). Even ignoring the issue with pain from knees jammed into the seat, It basically makes it impossible to work on a laptop at all.
Here is the issue for many, myself included. The full upright pitch of the seats is dibilitatingly painful for long periods of time. Thus I recline slowly but without any hesitation or apologizes. Saying it is rude is self entitlement. As for not being able to use a laptop, in my experience that has never been an issue even when the person in front of me is fully reclined. I guess that is because it is on my lap and not on a tray table. YMMV. But at the end of the day if one knows they might not be able use their laptop then one needs to plan accordingly.