Originally Posted by
PTravel
Yes, it really is that black and white to me. The occupant of the seat is allowed to recline, per the airline. If you want to ask him to limit or eliminate recline for your comfort, you are, at best, asking a gratuitous favor. Favors can be granted or they can be refused. If you are not happy with the space allotted you by the airline, then buy F, fly UA in E+, or don't pick non-reclining seats.
He has a little personal space. He is not, however, entitled to the little bit of personal space that I have. I'm curious. Are you as accommodating of the passenger-of-size who insists that you raise the arm rest so that he can intrude in the little bit of personal space that airline has allocated to you? How about the passenger who tries to usurp the space under his seat that the airline has allocated for your use? What applies in the x and y axis applies in the z access as well -- it's a 3-dimensional world.
When you've paid for my seat, you can tell me what to do with it. Otherwise, I'll decide how much recline I need, thank you. Ask me nicely and, if I'm not trying to sleep and/or it's not a long-haul or red-eye, and I might accommodate you. Demand it as an entitlement and you haven't a chance. Threaten me, and I'll escalate the issue to the captain and, if necessary, the police.
I never commented on whatever threats were made, so please save the lecture on that point for the OP. I never condoned such action.
I won't argue with your point of view because, by the letter, you are correct on all points. I would like to think that asking you to recline one less inch wouldn't cause you undue suffering, but, as you point out, that's
your decision. Seems like the world would be a slightly easier place to manage if attitudes weren't quite so stringent and defensive. I can't really answer the hypotheticals you presented because of the lack of information on other variables. In the case of a POS, I'd probably ask the FA if there was another seat available for me or the POS. If not, I probably wouldn't want to have the armrest raised. If someone wants to use the space under my seat or my feet and it's not imposing on me, I'm probably going to let it slide. If a fellow pax declines my request to not recline his/her seat so much, I have to live with that or find another place to sit. Generally I find that I'm a pretty polite guy and folks are generally willing to meet me halfway on things of this nature.