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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 8:30 am
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Bulkhead Etiquette

When seated in a bulkhead seat would it be considered rude to ask the person behind me if I could place my laptop underneath my seat for take-off and landing only? It is pretty slim, and I need to use it during the flight. I appreciate your comments!
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 9:22 am
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IMO it's not rude to ask politely for this, or for almost anything else. Like a seat swap, you're asking for a favor, so you should accept a refusal gracefully, not act entitled, and especially not put your laptop in that space before asking.

If I were in the row behind you, I'd probably say no, but only because my soft-sided briefcase is usually jammed so full that it takes up the whole space, not because it's an unreasonable request.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 9:51 am
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Originally Posted by GJCrawford
When seated in a bulkhead seat would it be considered rude to ask the person behind me if I could place my laptop underneath my seat for take-off and landing only? It is pretty slim, and I need to use it during the flight. I appreciate your comments!
I don't think it's rude to ask, but I'd refuse your request -- I use the space under your seat for my feet.

You've got the bulkhead with its advantages (more knee-space, nobody reclining into your space, easy to get in/out), so I think you should gracefully bear the disadvantage (no luggage during take-off and landing) and not inconvenience others for your convenience.

HTB.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 10:06 am
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The question is rude and I'd respond with laughter. The bulkhead seat is already, likely, superior to the one behind it, and now you want to further downgrade it?
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 10:06 am
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depending on where you're located you might be able to put the laptop perpendicular and it wouldn't take up any space at all. I can understand wanting to packet away above but the problem with that is is that if you are on a short flight there's almost no time to get your stuff out and then to put it back.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 10:10 am
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asking is not rude at all, but if you expect to put anything underneath the seat, pick another seat. i always do.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 10:46 am
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You could put it in the overhead, and retiieve it once the seat belt sign is off. That'll only cost you 15 minutes or so, at most, usually.

If I was behind you, I might offer to switch seats, and then the storage space is all yours.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 2:07 pm
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Thanks all....I appreciate the feedback!
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 2:14 pm
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Originally Posted by GJCrawford
When seated in a bulkhead seat would it be considered rude to ask the person behind me if I could place my laptop underneath my seat for take-off and landing only? It is pretty slim, and I need to use it during the flight. I appreciate your comments!
I have been asked and, depending on my mood, sometimes agreed and sometimes did not. I use the space under the seat in front of me either for my own things or for my feet.

I have, however, encountered people who didn't ask. Again, depending on my mood, I'd either tell them to move it or use it as a footrest.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 2:25 pm
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I've often been asked that and have always said yes. I usually offer to hold a book or something else if necessary as well.

It's kreppy enough flying in coach without trying to help each other.

"Why can't we all just get along?"
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 2:26 pm
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I don't understand why airlines don't put some kind of storage on the bulkhead. The magazine pocket is so useless it's almost comical.

But FWIW, I set my laptop down on the floor against the bulkhead beside my knees. I doubt the FA can even see it, and if they do and ask me to stow it I will.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 2:28 pm
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Unless I am lucky enough to get a wide body, domestically I am almost always in seat 1A. On a 757 there is enough room between the seat and the window to stash my purse. On a A320 there is no room, so I always ask the person in 2A if I can put my purse (it's pretty small) under my seat.

They have always most graciously agreed. ^
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 5:45 pm
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I don't think it's rude to ask, especially if it's a small item and the space is empty when the door is closing. I've been known to hide my purse behind my calves, too. Putting things in the overhead isn't a great solution when I have a window seat; even with the additional legroom of bulkhead, the middle and aisle passengers often have to get out to let me out, and I would much rather ask one fellow passenger to share a few inches of space under my chair than force two to unbuckle, climb out, and stand in the aisle while I access the overhead at the beginning and end of the flight.
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