So DHacker, is it rude for me to put a carry on underneath the seat in front of me (i.e. where my feet go)? Based on your logic, that space belongs to the person sitting above that space, right? If the sliver of space where my seat reclines back is not my space, why do the seats recline. I think your beef isn't with people who recline, it's with airlines that make seats that recline. Next time, don't get mad at the person in front of you who takes advantage of part of the price of their ticket (i.e. the right to recline), take it up with the airline that makes seats that recline. Or better yet, find an airline that doesn't have reclining seats and stick to it!