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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you an aeroplane seat recliner??

493 replies

Sotuko · 03/11/2017 10:25

If so, do you not feel a bit guilty about the poor sod sat behind you who now has even less space than they had before??

I don't understand why airlines still allow this, there isn't the room for it!

During a long flight last night/this morning/I don't know I've lost all track of time, I wasn't able to use my telly as the woman in front made sure it was RIGHT in my face and don't even get me started on meal time.

So are you a seat recliner and if so, do you think about the impact on the person behind you?

OP posts:
SusannahL · 03/11/2017 16:51

Let's face it, flying is a complete nightmare full stop.

And don't get me started on the increasing number of fatties we see on planes these days, whose rolls of fat spill over onto the poor devil in the next seat.
Have people no shame about their size these days?

PiffleandWiffle · 03/11/2017 17:05

If you want to dig your knees in the back of my seat for the flight, go ahead - I'll be asleep anyway...

If they didn't want them to be reclined we wouldn't be able to do it.

Ergo - stop making up excuses for a whinge!!

FrancisCrawford · 03/11/2017 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TsunamiOfShit · 03/11/2017 17:19

If they didn't want them to be reclined we wouldn't be able to do it.

The function is there so that if it is appropriate, the option of reclining is there. It doesn't mean it is your right to do it even if it makes the person behind you extremely uncomfortable.

TsunamiOfShit · 03/11/2017 17:19

A hairbrush might just find its way down the back of my seat in that scenario. Bristles pointing outwards

This will be a lot more uncomfortable for you than for anyone else.

scrabble1 · 03/11/2017 17:21

I remember a long flight to Vancouver and a can of cola. Woman in front of me decided to recline her seat and my drink went all over, I was livid. Air hostess was useless

Freetodowhatiwant · 03/11/2017 17:23

Gosh I hate recliners on short-haul flights. It’s totally unnecessary and makes the flight for the person behind so uncomfortable. I have been known to say something to people who recline in front of me on a short-haul flight. Selfish.

ButchyRestingFace · 03/11/2017 17:24

It doesn't mean it is your right to do it even if it makes the person behind you extremely uncomfortable.

But it IS the passenger's right to recline. The passenger behind has the option to

a) recline their own seat
b) book a seat with extra leg room

Your issue should be with the airline, not the passenger using the seat in the way it's intended to be used. Confused

expatinscotland · 03/11/2017 17:27

'I thought there was an unwritten code of conduct, I certainly follow one.
Don't recline on short haul day flights. '

They may have been coming from a long haul flight with no sleep. There is no unwritten code of conduct, if the airline still has reclining seats, the passenger can recline the seat if they'd like. If you said something to me or accused me of being selfish, I wouldn't care if I feel sleepy. I'm never going to see you again, you don't pay my rent, I'm exhausted and the flight will be over soon.

ButchyRestingFace · 03/11/2017 17:31

I have been known to say something to people who recline in front of me on a short-haul flight. Selfish.

How many fucks did they give?

FrancisCrawford · 03/11/2017 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UnicornRainbowColours · 03/11/2017 17:36

Long haul yes, short haul no.

Ifearthecold · 03/11/2017 17:36

On a short haul flight you have no idea when the person in front of you got up to catch their flight, if it is the last flight leg of a long trip or if they have a long way to go after this flight. You have no idea why they are using the seat in the way it was meant to be used.

If you spoke to me I would think to myself you had issues unrelated to flying and cheerfully ignore you.

TsunamiOfShit · 03/11/2017 17:38

it might just be the impetus to learn some basic manners.

Knee amputation manners? What on earth is the person behind you meant to do with their knees?

ButchyRestingFace · 03/11/2017 17:40

Knee amputation manners? What on earth is the person behind you meant to do with their knees?

Recline. Or book a seat with extra leg room.

Or! Book a seat with extra leg room and then recline.

The answer ain’t gonna change.

Urubu · 03/11/2017 17:40

It’s totally unnecessary and makes the flight for the person behind so uncomfortable
Reclining so my back doesn't hurt is not "totally unnecessary" in my book... It hurts as soon as I seat in an airplane seat, so the length of the flight is irrelevant.

TsunamiOfShit · 03/11/2017 17:41

Recline. Or book a seat with extra leg room.

Reclining moves my back further away, not my knees.

ButchyRestingFace · 03/11/2017 17:43

Reclining moves my back further away, not my knees.

Then it looks like it’s gonna have to be a seat with extra leg room.

What a pity those haven’t been invented yet. 😭

TheDowagerCuntess · 03/11/2017 17:47

I don't understand this debate at all.

Of course I recline on long-haul, night flights. Why wouldn't I? Confused

When flying from NZ to the UK, you honestly expect everyone to sit bolt upright, the entire way? Come on, the experience is dire enough, you have to be able to bring on some sort of sleep in whichever way possible.

I recline, and I fully expect the person to recline in front of me.

I tend not to recline on short-haul, but have no issue with other people doing it, as I have no idea what their previous flight schedule has been like, what time of the day or night it is to them, or how exhausted or jet-lagged they might be.

If they want to recline, they can knock themselves out, although because I'm 5'10", I'd prefer it if they sat upright during the meal.

Recline away, people - do what you need to do, if you're sitting in front of me!

user1469952018 · 03/11/2017 17:47

I'm not that tall but I can't stand it when the person in front of me reclines their chair. It does affect the tv position and makes the table uncomfortable. I ask them if they can put the seat back up politely. If they are Rude then I make sure they aren't going to sleep anytime soon! Lol

FrancisCrawford · 03/11/2017 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 03/11/2017 17:52

It doesn't mean it is your right to do it even if it makes the person behind you extremely uncomfortable.

Equally, the non-recliners do not have the right to insist that the person in front is made extremely uncomfortable.

SoupDragon · 03/11/2017 17:53

If they are Rude

Do you mean "if they don't agree with me"?

TsunamiOfShit · 03/11/2017 17:53

Totally OTT. Pushing your knee into a hairbrush is not going to “amputate” a knee. Hairbrushes don’t have bristles made of fine,y honed surgical steel. You wouldn’t be able to get them past security if they did...

You're not even reading properly. Bye.

ButchyRestingFace · 03/11/2017 17:56

I ask them if they can put the seat back up politely. If they are Rude then I make sure they aren't going to sleep anytime soon! Lol

If I were the passenger in front, can't begin to imagine what I might do with my seat when the meal is served. Grin

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