Originally Posted by LapLap
This gets stated explicitly on most of the flights I go on, either in, or to and from Europe. (I'm not always paying attention and therefore cannot say all of them)
I don't know what airlines you fly, but I've never, not once, not ever heard an announcement requiring seats to remain upright until the seatbelt sign is turned off on any flight I've taken in the U.S., in Europe, in Africa or in Asia. I've flown on every major U.S. carrier, as well Lufthansa, Air France, TAP, EasyJet, KLM, Iberia, Royal Air Maroc, Al Italia, Cathay Pacific, Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, and Dragon Air (and I'm sure there are some others I just can't recall at the moment).
That's hundreds, probably thousands, of flights, yet not one announcement.
Unless you are going to tell us that it is OK for seats to be reclined at take off and landing, please inform us when you are made aware of the cut off time for when it is OK to recline.
As I said, I do it on wheels up. The only instruction I've ever had is that seatbacks must be upright for takeoff. Once we've taken off, i.e. we're in he air, I can recline.
And, of course, the FAR you quoted doesn't say anything of the sort. Here's what it says:
"
Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(3) of this section, no certificate holder may take off or land an airplane unless each passenger seat back is in the upright position."
Seatbacks up for takeoff and landing. Nothing about keeping them up until the pilot turns off the seatbelt light.
Sorry, but I think you're wrong and, if you were to tell me to raise my seat until the seatbelt light is turned off, I'd politely tell you, "no way."