Originally Posted by scooterb

Wow! the OP definately struck a sensitive chord with this audience!

One of the earlier posters mentioned that a good rule of thumb is to "treat others as you would like to be treated" and I TOTALLY agree with that. Others have offered lots of good comments about how to extend some modicrum of common courtesy to your fellow passengers--well done.

Personally, when I am in Y I tend only to recline when trying to sleep or when trying to hit a better angle of the movie, etc. But I usually will glance behind me to see what the situation is before I recline. Someone on a laptop or trying to read a paper, I will likely hold off or just minimally recline, as I appreciate the extra space when I am trying to do those activities myself. If they themselves are reclined then I feel better about utilizing my own button, as they are obviously in the recliner camp and are likely expecting their own space to be compromised. It's a bit situational as well...Red eyes or late evening flights, etc. I think the expectation is that pretty much everyone will be trying to catch a few winks so more reclining is to be expected than on those heart of the workday flights.

The comments some have made that imply they have some "god-given right" to recline miss the point. Of course you have the right to recline--and to talk loudly, or hog extra pillows, or turn your AC on full blast while your neighbor obviously freezes, or to leave your light on when everyone around you is trying to sleep, etc. but does that mean you should do all those things?

Likewise the dismissive remarks about "buy business or first" or "choose a bulkhead" if you don't like recliners, skirt the courtesy issue. I think most folks do seek out bulk head and exit row seats for this reason, and I fly biz when $ allow or the ugrades clear, but those aren't strategies that work every time as everyone else is gunning for the same seats.

The bottom line is that flying is uncomfortable enough as it is, but if everyone acted with just a bit more concern for the comfort of others, it could be so much more pleasant for all.