Angry woman on plane, Was we BU?

[Raynaud]

7 hour flight with DH and DS(4). As soon as seatbelt lights went off DH fully reclined exhausted DSs seat so he could sleep. The woman behind snapped at DH to put the seat back up as drinks would be coming around soon. DH said no as drinks currently not being served. She called him a selfish twat to her OH.
Drinks/snacks start coming around. Woman tells DH to put the seat back up. DH put the seat back up half way so to not wake DS. She tells him to put it fully up. He tells her DS is sleeping. Her OH then tells her to speak to steward which she does. Steward asks DH to put the seat back up - he tells her DS is sleeping. I tell him to just put it back up, he again says DS is sleeping. Air Steward starts getting pissed off, I snap at DH to put the bloody seat up. He does so reluctantly and DS does not wake.

Once everything is cleared away he puts the seat fully back again. The woman complains that he’s doing that out of badness because “the kid” is still asleep. Her OH confirms that yes, DH is a twat.

My take on it is that both were being unreasonable at different times. My sister however says this was all on DH.

If during the day your DH is BU.

Thank you. Someone sensible!

he could have dealt with it better but was not wrong.

Errr.......

At the risk of being like a stuck record they really can be very necessary on a day light long haul departure going west bound... ..

And in any event the airlines are not going to spend money, increase seat complexity and increase aircraft weight by introducing centralised recline control

this.

it’s all so weird. It’s a normal seat function

How does your son cope if he falls asleep in the car?

I get why your DH was doing this, but for a 4 year old and a long flight, he should not have reclined the seat. He could have lifted the armrest and had your son put his head on one of your laps. That's what we did.

The seat tables still work when it’s reclined but…

as usual companies have reduced space making flying an overwhelmingly shit experience and have us backbiting at each other. Rather than blaming them.

She was unreasonable. If she wanted extra room she should have paid for it. The seats recline so you can recline! If someone in front of me puts their seat back it’s no big deal. They paid for the seat, it reclines, so fill your boots!

"See I think she was being unreasonable at the start as food / drinks were not being served."

Irrelevant. You shouldn't recline your seat if it's uncomfortable to the person behind you.

These Seats are designed to recline anyone who complains about a seat reclining should have their passport revoked. The etiquette is to put it up during meal times. I’ve been upgraded twice by crew when people were kicking off. Once all the way to Lima when Napoleon lost it (short and angry) I’ll never forget waving as I disappeared through the business class curtain…

Couldn’t you have lifted up your armrests so that your DC could laid across your knees?

These Seats are designed to recline anyone who complains about a seat reclining should have their passport revoked.

To me this is like saying “phones are designed with a speaker, why shouldn’t I play music out loud on it wherever I go”.

Jus because something is able to perform a certain function doesn’t mean it’s ok to use that function at any time, regardless of the effect on others.

I put my seat back for the whole flight apart from meals. It reclines for a reason! Give it a whirl! If sitting behind a reclined seat is uncomfortable then pay for extra legroom or go business next time.

all toilets on a plane still seem to have no smoking and ashtrays doesn’t mean we should use them!

we did go premium last flight and they were awful to sit behind in terms of space! And completely unnecessary the seats themselves fine to sleep in

all toilets on a plane still seem to have no smoking and ashtrays doesn’t mean we should use them!

True, but there actually are genuine rules in place governing smoking (basically don't)....it's not a matter of etiquette.

It was an early morning flight lasting 7 hours. So she was expected to have fully reclined seat in front of her the whole time?

True but a lot of seats now don’t recline either

flying is pretty shit it is about balancing your needs with the needs of others

A 4yo doesn’t need their seat reclining in order to sleep.

We had this coming back from Australia on one of the 2 flights. The parent started to recline the toddler’s seat just as food had been put down. Kids get their food first on emirates as well as special diets. This dad was really thumping on the seat as it wasn’t the easiest to recline. I had to really assert myself to stop him as my child eat trying to eat and her drink was spilling. Then dad was not happy but did move it up. The child wasn’t sleeping though. The child was jumping around a lot. After the food was finished dad was straight to moving the seat and my daughter was trying to watch her screen but it was constantly moving as dad was back to thinking the chair to recline whilst child treated it like a trampoline.

We on the other hand deliberately picked seats at the back of a section so we could recline the whole trip once flight had ascended and before descent.

I totally agree that the seats are not comfy up right. When I’ve had people behind me I have made sure not to disturb them through. And definitely make sure me and my children are upright for meals.

Usually after the seat belt lights go off they start preparing drinks if it’s a 7 hour flight. Your husband was completely selfish.

It’s kind of unsaid etiquette that you don’t recline unless it’s an overnight flight and after the meal has been served and lights go out. It’s not a rule obviously… after being in a middle seat behind someone who fully reclined within the first 20 minutes of a 12 hour flight we now pay extra for seats at the front…

Oh well as long as you’re comfortable.

Yep. I paid for my ticket, not yours. Loads of extra legroom/ business seats available if there’s not enough room in economy for you.

The way you all handled it was a bit twatty, tbh.
It's common sense - and sensible practice - to know that you don't recline when there's a need for the tray to be down. So, drinks and food. Kids sleeping or not.
Also, the whole 'sore neck' thing is bollocks. I've done 10/12 hour flights with minimal recline, and slept for a chunk of them, without real damage.
I've equally had arseholes in front of me, who have reclined right into my lap at the earliest opportunity, and threaten to punch me (I kid you not!) when I accidentally knocked the seat slightly when I was getting out/in for the loo.
We should all understand we're stuck together for a number of hours, in a metal sky tube, and it's more pleasant if we're all just a bit more understanding and kind to each other.
In short - yes, recline and sleep; but only at the correct times. Then, don't be a dick to each other.. Actually, in general, just don't be a dick.

As I said up thread we now pay extra for seats at the front having endured a long flight like this. Thankfully for short ´budget company ´ flights seats no longer recline..which I personally think is the best option.

DH is a complete, unpleasant pillock.
I'm sorry if you have to share the rest of your life with him.