I usually don't recline either out of courtesy, and if I do, I only go about halfway. Flying in coach is miserable enough as it is without someone's seat in your face.

Sorry, but I have trouble reading with the overhead lights that don't even come close to shining on one's book etc, so I usually lower my shade halfway - does that make me a "shade-hole", especially when I see that no one else is even looking at the movie - (in FC)

How about if they make only the middle seats recline. Windows and Aisles don't. That way those that have to recline can do so all the way to the back of the plane and those of us that don't recline can get the good locations.

(Putting on my flameproof non-reclining underwear now) :D

I think you have it backwards. Middle seats suck anyway, so make them non-reclining. MOST people want to recline, the anti-cliners can take the middle-holer. :D

^ That would greatly enhance the shoulder room of the aisle and window seat occupants - which is the biggest problem of an occupied middle seat, IMO.

I am trying to think of one that would not subject you to arrest. Any ideas?

Farting. Shifting in your seat frequently. Using their seat back for balance when you're returning to your seat from a lavatory trip. Striking up a conversation with one of their seat mates and carrying it on through a long flight (if the seat mate is social).

Also, direct your air vent wide open on the offending party's head. Ipod foot tapping to the music on their seat support. Reporting your suspicions of possible drug smuggling to Customs officials. (I have never done this but I imagine you probably shouldn't use this one too often)

The best thing is to not fly in coach. People in J and F tend to be more considerate. Not a hard fast rule, there are alway exceptions.

(emphasis mine)

You mean people in J and F, in general, would not direct their air vent on the reclining party's head, would not tap the seat to the music of their iPod, would not make false accusations? Sounds like a good reason to fly J or F then... :D

HTB.

Like I said, there are always exceptions. Actually, I enjoy reading how angry people get (present company not included) when I throw around comments on reclining seats. It is like bringing up religion, abortion, or global warming. I am not affected by these folks anymore but I do enjoy reading their comments. Thank goodness news forums are anonymous. I think there are some folks on OMNI who would kill me if they could find me. :) :D :p

One of the reasons I like the window seat is because it has a window. I find that looking at the scenery from 35,000 feet is almost always more interesting than the movie being shown. So I guess that I am a "shade-hole". If you really want to watch a movie, perhaps you should bring a laptop or DVD player and the movie of your choice. :)

Grand daughter takes DVD on trans-pacific flights...but she lowers shade at start of airline movie as requested by FA...I guess just thoughtful or subject to authority-figure directive. Interesting nowdays. :)

I like that idea.

You haven't posted anything past a bit of information on the Knee Defender. It's apparent you'd like more room on planes, so why not say that and explain your reasoning? There are many carriers with first class domestic seats at a not-too-horrible price. You can always book on one of those if you want more legroom. I do understand that you might be a tall or large person and not feel like you have to pay extra to travel comfortably, but unfortunately planes are designed for the "average" traveler. I'm comfortable in a coach seat, and quite happily spoiled in anything more, so I guess I can't fully understand. But I haven't heard friends complaining about coach seats unless they're well over 6'.

I don't see anything "inhumane" about not providing more space. Animals don't have a choice when you confine them (usually.) You have a choice of whether or not to get onto that plane. Patterning airline seat requirements after animal cruelty laws is just ridiculous as they are completely different things.

Yes, your airline goes out of business.

Strange, almost all carriers still seem to provide snacks and beverages (and those that charge for basic beverages tend to provide better items.) Pillows and blankets as well; just ask for one upon boarding if you're not on a long-haul flight.

It's pretty easy to weigh bags at home. Or you can get one of those hanging travel scales. OR you can be one of those annoying people who spends 10 minutes shifting stuff around at the check-in counter. (Yes, I've done that, though not to such a great extent. But I've never seen an airline not let someone move stuff around while checking in.) There are VERY few airlines charging passengers for extra seats—and the weight statistics have been updated in the last few years.

Why don't I get a discount for being a bit shy of 5' 7" and weighing 120lbs? I don't complain that people twice my size don't pay twice the price since they use twice the fuel.

Sorry, but this is just getting stupid at this point. You obviously check-in BEFORE security in most countries. If you have to be at check-in 90 minutes prior to boarding, that means you give yourself some extra time. I've missed a couple of flights that I've paid for myself. I'll haggle with the ground crew to rebook me for free, and that has worked once or twice. But if I'm late and they either cancel my ticket or charge me hefty rebooking fees, I know it's MY fault.

And where do you get your facts from? Please show me what percentage of domestic and international tickets in all 3 major fare classes (coach, business, first) are paid, or are award tickets, or are upgraded from a cheaper fare class. I don't have the statistics myself, but I suspect you would be surprised what portion of international business class travel is award travel or upgraded with certificates/miles.

I like this. If I'm in Y and plan to sleep, I'll sit in the center or right. If I plan to be awake, I'll sit on the left and not have to assume my laptop or meal might be reclined into.