Airlines, seats, passive aggression

[RebeccaWithTheGoodHair]

I was on a long haul flight over the weekend, 2 lots of 7 hour flights with a 3 hour stopover in the middle - it was never going to be a pleasant journey.

The first bit was OK but on the 2nd flight the people in the row in front sat down and immediately put their chairs back. Not just a little tilt either. They were practically in our laps. Our dropdown trays were hardly usable and the screen was difficult to see.

Of course they were perfectly entitled to do it and I could have done the same. Except I didn't because it's so bloody horrible for the person behind.

I don't get why airlines put these type of seats in, even using the tilt doesn't make them relaxing in any way. All it does it make it slightly less uncomfortable for the person in that seat - but 100 times worse for the hapless person behind.

My AIBU is whether giving it an extra hard shove when trying to use my tray or pick up my bag is U or not?

And if you are someone who does drop your seat back like that then don't you realise how horrible it is for the person behind you?

[NetballHoop]

I'd agree with you if it had been on a short haul flight, but for long haul I think they are fully entitled to put their chair back and try to sleep.

So, yes YABU to shove them.

[bigbluebus]

My DH spent a good part of a flight back from Italy to UK once forcing the seat in front of him into the upright position as it's occupant tried deperately to recline it. DH has long legs and we're too tight to pay for extra legroom so the reclined seat was actually crushing his legs. The woman appeared not to speak English so seemingly didn''t unerstand a polite request by DH to keep her seat upright. It was a little over 2 hr flight in the middle of the day so no need to go to sleep.

[ShatnersWig]

Being stuck on a plane for any length of time is horrible. People will do what they can to make it as bearable and comfortable as possible for themselves. If the airline has given them a seat that reclines, they have paid their money, they are perfectly entitled to use it. Of course it is unreasonable of you to give it an extra hard shove. It's public transport.

[ShatnersWig]

Bigblue It's not the person in front's fault or problem that your DH has long legs. Assuming you have all paid the same price for your seat, why is his comfort more important than another passenger's? Agree, it may not be ideal, but it's public transport and no one has any more right than anyone else. Unless they paid for extra legroom and aren't getting that extra legroom. You had the option and chose not to use it.

[RebeccaWithTheGoodHair]

They did put their seats up when the food was served - but dropped them back down immediately they finished eating, thus nearly tipping my coffee into my lap which didn't improve my mood.

I don't disagree they have the right to drop their seats but everyone knows it has a knock-on effect on the person behind.

I wish airlines didn't put them in so everyone is equally as uncomfortable as everyone else

[Empireoftheclouds]

bigblue that's really shitty of your DH when by your own admission you were too tight to pay for extra legroom.

[MyschoolMyrules]

Oh shock horror Bigblue, someone on a flight couldn't speak English. No wonder. How rude and inconsiderate to not speak English.

Many inter continental airlines politely ask that everyone put their seat up when the meals are served which I think is fair, but otherwise, anything goes. You don't know, the person that reclined their seat might have been on the third leg of their journey, jet lagged and exhausted.

[DeliciouslyHella]

This is always a controversial topic.

I'm short, so leg room isn't an issue for me. On an overnight flight, I have no issue whatsoever with people reclining once the food service has finished and they're dimming the lights. On a daytime flight, it's not so cool.

[MidnightAura]

Yanbu, I had this on my last flight. As soon as the couple in front sat down, the seats went straight back. Cabin crew had to ask them to sit up for take off. It was a 9 hour and 45 minute flight that took off in the morning. I actually couldn't get out my seat to go to the bathroom. When the meal was served at first the crew didn't tell them to put their seats up either. It was a busy flight. I have a spine condition so I found it really uncomfortable with the chair in front leaning right back. Every time I shifted position my knees were digging into his chair but it wasn't exactly my fault, had the twat not reclined I would have had space. Even the mans wife asked him to sit up at various points and she refused. I think it's so selfish.

[ShatnersWig]

Navy Yes, they are perfectly entitled to. They have paid for a seat. The seat reclines. They chose to use it.

The airlines may well deserve criticism for installing such seats, but we all know unless you are in first class, legroom and seating is what it is. On a 7-hour flight, you want to be as comfortable as possible. The airline has given you a reclining seat in an attempt to help. Just because one person doesn't chose to use it, doesn't mean another person isn't allowed to use it either.

[JigglyTuff]

I really think they should get rid of them. The relative comfort of one person shouldn't have such an awful impact on another.

[TrueBlueYorkshire]

I always put mine back on longhaul and just sleep the whole way. I put it up for food, and usually wait about 15 minutes after they have collected trays before I put it back. I take long haul flights regularly and that seems to be the common etiquette.

[nancy75]

On the last leg of a long long flight to Australia the man in front of me declined drinks and then put his seat back as far as he could just as a drink was put on my table, me drink flew all over me, to say I was not amused would be an understatement. I got my own back by swapping with dd ( she was 7 at the time) I made no effort to tell her to sit still for the next few hours ( I am usually a mum tyrant who repeats sit still & shhh every 2 minutes on a flight)

[sonyaya]

I never put my seat back unless the person in front of me has. I prefer them to do away with them altogether to be honest.

The air stewards should be requiring people to put their seat upright at meal time.

[Huldra]

They should have some sort of rule like when the cabin lights are lowered for sleep, or they have to be up for an hour around meal times.

[wasonthelist]

I do pay for extra legroom as I am tall - but I also think I ought to be able to recline my seat.

On the whole I find all public transport uncomfortable - my head's always way above where normal folk can rest theirs. However, as usual, I'm the bad guy :)

[StereophonicallyChallenged]

Surely everyone just reclines their seat total non issue on flights I've been on. Long haul or otherwise.

[NannyR]

There is a design of seat that I've seen on trains where, when you recline your seat, the seat part slides forward, rather than the seat back tipping back towards the person behind you, therefore limiting your own leg room if you want to recline.
It would be great if these could be installed on planes, although I guess cost and safety would make it difficult.

[FrenchLavender]

If it wasn't meal time then it's not really necessary to use the tray is it? Airline seats are uncomfortable at best but at least more tolerable when reclined. I would not worry about whatever the person behind thought, My seat reclines for my comfort and so long as it's not a mealtime I am reclining it. If you want to be a martyr and not recline yours if you are behind me, then that's not my problem.

If you recline then the person behind you does the same, and so on. No one needs to suffer unduly for it, with the exception of the few poor souls in the final row that backs onto the loos because they don't recline, but the answer to that is to always check in online early so you don't get lumbered with them.

I'm not going to make myself any more uncomfortable than necessary for hours just so you can have some nice space around your tray when you aren't even eating.

[theclick]

What I hate is when they do it with such aggression - just to show they can and they don't care.

I've just returned off a flight and on the way to our destination the guy in front of me got annoyed I had my seat back. It was a night flight and we were in Premium Economy, so we had paid for those seats so we could sleep as well as we could. Instead of asking me politely to tip forward, he asked the stewardess to. It annoyed me as frankly he could have just done it himself.

[HookandSwan]

Doesn't bother me but then I'm short and it doesn't effect the tv or the tray.

[RebeccaWithTheGoodHair]

FrenchLavender - yes, you do need the tray other than for eating. There are drinks and things to occupy the kids and general 'stuff' that has no other place to go.

And as someone said upthread when seats are fully reclined you can't actually get out of your seat, you have to climb over.