Seat recline etiquette— is there such a thing?
May 27, 2018, 9:04 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2015
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No. There are at least two of us. But it depends on the individual — height and weight distribution, whether the person has lower back problems or upper back problems, etc. I have lower back issues. At altitude the nose of the plane is slightly up which puts more of my weight on my lower back. A very slight recline can help if I’m trying to sleep but otherwise I find I’m better off fully upright and leaning slightly forward, making it just that much easier to get smacked in the head by the seat in front of me.
May 27, 2018, 9:38 am
#33
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I always go slowly and rarely all the way back. On my last flight, on final decent, for some reason the person in front of me wanted to go back after the FAs did their check. I wasn't expecting it and was putting something in my bag and got a seat to the face real quickly. That was disappointing!
Having said that, I'm pretty sure that the FAA would assert that that space is my space during take-off and landing. And I won't hesitate to seek FA intervention to ensure that the seat in front of me is fully upright during those times.
I intend that I and those in my row have all of the room to evacuate that the FAA intends we have.
May 27, 2018, 9:41 am
#34
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Actually, I agree with that. Just board any DL flight in F and compare it to the seats in the cabin in the back. So that, coupled with crummy pitch to begin with, and allowance of too much recline, makes for a questionable experience for the guy behind a fully reclining customer.
I'd welcome further insight and constructive discussion on that.
I'd welcome further insight and constructive discussion on that.
May 27, 2018, 11:38 am
#35
Join Date: May 2011
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I have literally never seen anyone turn around and ask the pax behind them before they reclined, not once. I have seen people kinda look back as sort of a heads up to the pax behind, but that's pretty rare, and even then it's not an ask, it's more of a "be advised, here I come"
May 27, 2018, 12:06 pm
#36
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The fundamental issue here is that there are asymmetric costs and benefits for the recliner and reclinee (the person getting reclined into).
Generally speaking, especially in Y, the benefit the recliner gets is minimal relative to the pain and loss of utility the reclinee suffers. Knee pain and/or complete inability to get work done as opposed to "a modicum of more comfort" is very asymmetric.
I consider plane recliners (other than on "cabin consensus" reclines like redeyes) to be some of the most selfish people in existence. I never recline, and given the state of Y seats today, others should not either. If the legacies want to cram people into 30" seat pitches, they should get rid of recline entirely.
Generally speaking, especially in Y, the benefit the recliner gets is minimal relative to the pain and loss of utility the reclinee suffers. Knee pain and/or complete inability to get work done as opposed to "a modicum of more comfort" is very asymmetric.
I consider plane recliners (other than on "cabin consensus" reclines like redeyes) to be some of the most selfish people in existence. I never recline, and given the state of Y seats today, others should not either. If the legacies want to cram people into 30" seat pitches, they should get rid of recline entirely.
May 27, 2018, 1:17 pm
#37
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In general, I find the "It's my space" comments here to be humorous.
Having said that, I'm pretty sure that the FAA would assert that that space is my space during take-off and landing. And I won't hesitate to seek FA intervention to ensure that the seat in front of me is fully upright during those times.
I intend that I and those in my row have all of the room to evacuate that the FAA intends we have.
Having said that, I'm pretty sure that the FAA would assert that that space is my space during take-off and landing. And I won't hesitate to seek FA intervention to ensure that the seat in front of me is fully upright during those times.
I intend that I and those in my row have all of the room to evacuate that the FAA intends we have.
Not that long ago I complained when a FA refused to tell the guy in front of me to un-recline his seat for landing. I was told that this is not a safety requirement as seats can be partially reclined during takeoff and landing.
May 27, 2018, 1:51 pm
#38
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You complained as in filed a complaint through the website? What sort of response did you get?
May 27, 2018, 2:36 pm
#41
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I just go slowly. When someone in front of me reclines, if it's sudden is when it's jarring.
Oddly (?) enough, I also don't recline unless the person in front of me did. I can handle being upright but not when someone's nearly in my lap from reclining.
Oddly (?) enough, I also don't recline unless the person in front of me did. I can handle being upright but not when someone's nearly in my lap from reclining.
May 27, 2018, 3:10 pm
#42
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Not everyone has the luxury of an open seat map to choose their seats from.
May 27, 2018, 5:26 pm
#43
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It drives me crazy when someone goes into full recline as fast as they can. At least give a look back or go slow. I for the record don't recline unless the person in front of me does and of course I look back and go slow.
One time a guy behind me said something and I let him know I did not recline until the guy in front of me did and I needed the room for my computer.
One time a guy behind me said something and I let him know I did not recline until the guy in front of me did and I needed the room for my computer.
May 27, 2018, 6:47 pm
#44
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