Grabbing my headrest
 

Hello all. Long time reader, first time poster from Vancouver, B.C. (YVR)

Pet peeve #1 on any flight: I'm taking a nap, reading a book or otherwise concentrating on something, and some neanderthalic troglodyte tromps down the aisle and uses my headrest as a support for his or her ungainly weight. This causes my chair to catapult my head forward. The last time this happened I was woken up from a much-needed sleep and I came close to completely snapping. I spoke up and asked the thoughtless twerp if he could please not yank on my headrest as he strode by, and he gave me a bleary-eyed "f**k-off-and-die" sneer.

When he came back from the washroom I stopped him and explained to him in no uncertain terms that if he did it again, I'd assume someone was trying to attack me in my sleep and I might gouge out an eye or two. My warning worked after a fashion. He continued to grab people's headrests as he tromped down the aisle, but specifically avoided mine after he met my less-than-friendly gaze.

Anyone else run into this kind of thoughtless jerkishness?

Welcome to FT!

Yes, I have!

Thanks for the welcome!

If you've had this done to you before, is there anything you do to stop it? Is there a "recommended course of action"? Or should I simply continue to confront the offenders and let them know that they're not invited to support their fat backsides by yanking on my headrest?

I intend to modify my approach of course. A senior citizen with problems walking or standing gets a free pass. Someone who apologizes profusely when they realize what they've done is forgiven. A self-entitled blowhard who can't be bothered to support his or her own weight gets an earful of flaming bile.

Welcome to FT!

I normally sit in a window seat, so I don't have problems with people going down the aisle; however, I do have this issue with people behind me using my seat to help hoist them up. My solution: sit in the last row of the cabin.

Welcome to FT!

I have to admit... great first post by the OP! ^

It happened to me once. I was jolted awake on a MCO - LGW flight on BA. When I realized a woman had fainted and the person behind me who grabbed my seat was going to her aid, I just got up and offered to help.

In a situation like that, no problem whatsoever.

I actually find this happens more with elderly people who have some difficulty getting down the aisle.

I have learned to just accept it as a part of flying... and sitting on the aisle.

I do not believe people are intentionally trying to irritate me so I do not take it personally.

I see no value in having a confrontation over a relatively trivial matter... I am sure I do things on a plane that others do not like as well (even thought I try not to!).

wharvey is a gentleman!
 

As we get older many of us do need a hand hold now and then. I hope that the OP stays healthy.

sounds like an inconsiderate kiddie post to me. also sounds like you're a real tough guy that beats up on the frail.

if the banger were your grandparent, would you also get up and wack them.

Its far easier to steady oneself by running a hand along the overhead bins as some FA's do. Plus, it does not disturb any other passengers.

I generally can't reach the overhead bins when walking down the aisle, but I am able to maintain my balance just with a light touch on the corners of the seat-backs. I am very conscious of not shaking people's seats.

I'm a window-seater too and the only time my seat gets rattled is when the person behind me needs to get up. Since the econ-class seats are generally so close together, that's almost every time the person behind needs to get up on almost every flight I take.

I used to fly America West and the seats were so horribly close together that I think it was impossible not to get up without leaning on the seat in front of you. It was absolutely in your face, and even worse if the person in front was reclining. I always thought it was perversely funny that the safety briefing video showed a man in econ watching the briefing - and you could only see his eyes and forehead over the seat in front of him. :rolleyes:

Anyway, that was many years ago and now I fly United almost exclusively and it's better. I still need to touch the seat in front of me to get up, but I'm able to do it with a light touch and not pull on it. But I think this is one of those "overcrowded rat" situations where we drive each other bananas simply because we're too squashed together.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

People seated behind me who grab my First Class seatback to pull themselves up out of their F seat (and who do it again when re-seating themselves) should have their hands chopped off. :mad:

In 31" pitch coach, it's a different ballgame due to lack of space.

Hyperbole much? Don't be such a sanctimonious jerk. Did you not notice the follow-up post I made? Here, allow me:

I'm not a "tough guy" by a long shot, but I stand up for myself. That must be alien to you.

If you're okay with someone being inconsiderate and yanking on your headrest while you're trying to sleep, all power to you. Just don't expect me to hop on your sheeple train.

huh??

"I stopped him and explained to him in no uncertain terms that if he did it again, I'd assume someone was trying to attack me in my sleep and I might gouge out an eye or two"

Dude, chill out. It happens.

If you're a frequent flyer, chances are that some incoveniences will occur... take it as part of flying.

Well, bless you! It's really all I ask, that people are aware of others around them, and not to take them for granted. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, had you yanked on my headrest and woke me up, but said, "Oh dear, sorry!" I'd see it as "no harm, no foul." It's the inconsiderate poltroons who are too lazy to be bothered that raise my ire.

I have to ask: is it really that difficult to just use one's armrests to push yourself up? That's how I do it. Unless I'm about to fall over I try hard not to touch headrests or any other part of someone else's seat.