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The Knee Defender: Preventing Airplane Seats from Reclining
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I'm not sure if this is horrible or brilliant.
I suppose the answer is horrible if it happens to me and brilliant if I can do it to someone else. The item in question here is the "Knee Defender." This is a little gadget which clamps on the pull-down tray of an airplane seat and prevents the person in front of you from leaning back.
Sure, it's insidious and evil, but it's also genius. The only problem is that many airlines prohibit the use of such contraptions. The clamps are small enough, however, that it is difficult for a flight attendant to see unless, of course, the person in front of you complains. Chances are they'll simply think their seat is broken and grumpily sit upright the duration of the flight.
This sort of pisses me off. I would almost guarantee that anyone who selfishly uses such a device reclines their own seat while doing so. Jerks!
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 26)
leslie Jan 9th 2007 8:43PM
I am average height, have always reclined my seat on overnight flights and assumed everyone else did, too. I am surprised that so many do not. They have never been seated in front of me.
eileen Jan 9th 2007 8:42PM
I think this is great!!! There is nothing more annoying to be using your tray and have it shoved into your chest by the inconsiderent person in front of you. I feel the seats should only recline just so far.
J Burns Jan 9th 2007 8:45PM
You guys must all have good backs. An indiviual with a bad, or even slightly marginal, back and a seat he cant recline will endure more missery then you will with a little less knee room. I have long legs and a lap top and deal with reclined seats in front without a problem.
ken Jan 9th 2007 11:07PM
I would buy one. Many people who recline seats unthinkingly just slam them back. I was on a crwoded plane and had my briefcase under the seat infront of me, thus raising my knees. The person infronto f my slammed the seat back and took out both my kneecaps. I needed assistance off the plane. I never went back to the airline for several years, even if it was the only flight goiong to my destination. I have now tried them on a transcontinental flight and the seats have more legroom. In that case I don't really care if the seat in front is reclined.
Ann Jan 9th 2007 8:46PM
My absolute favorite horror story was when the lady in front of me fully reclined her seat and then threw her long hair over the top and into my lunch!!
notaduhme Jan 9th 2007 8:48PM
Whenever this topic is raised everyone in the discussion says they hate when someone in front of them reclines their seat. They almost always go one step further and say that they never recline their own seat in protest or out of consideration or whatever. Methinks many doest protest too much 'cos there are an inordinate amount of seats reclined on any given flight - almost always the one in front of me is one of them.
Kathy Patterson Jan 9th 2007 8:54PM
I, too, have wedged my knees up in order to stop the guy in front from making it impossible to use my tray if I want, cross my legs if I want, get to my underseat items if I want...I HAVE on an overseas flight where they put it back while I was in the restroom, just used the back of THEIR seat as my headrest and leaned just a little forward to accomplish this. I am sure they didn't appreciate it, as I snore loudly!
Koo Jan 9th 2007 8:53PM
I am like Jase, I do not recline my seat out of principle, and I also do not like my kneecaps to be crushed. So where can I buy this?
Mike Jan 9th 2007 8:53PM
I have a pair of these and use them frequently as I travel 48 weeks a year. I bought them after having to replace 2 laptops that were broken by people in front of me throwing their seat back backwards suddenly and without warning. As to the person who suggests exit rows, try to get them even when you travel this much.
Brad Jan 11th 2007 3:32PM
Since when has reclining your seat become such a mean and impolite thing to do? "Just start kicking the seat after the person puts the seat back....?" Give me a break! Do I have to now ask permission from the traveler behind me in order to put my seat back on a 8+hr flight? Or make sure the tray is cleared of laptops before reclining? I will agree the seat should be reclined back slowly -- and should stay up during meals. But to sit upright the entire time in whatever length flight is absurd. I would like to see you try that with the person in front of you has their seat reclined.
Ken Jan 9th 2007 8:58PM
WHAT A BUNCH OF WHINING CRYBABIES, sheesh
MB York Jan 9th 2007 9:05PM
I think people that put the seat all the way back are rude and selfish. I never do it unless there is no one behind me. You can tell alot about a person who just puts it back and lands in your lap. They probably think you should give them a scalp massage too. I LOVE the devise, and want one. Easy to say, "sit in the exit row", anyone that flies alot knows it isn't always available.
Nina Jan 17th 2007 6:52PM
I have never understood why people get so bent out of shape over seat-reclining. If everyone reclines their seat, doesn't everyone end up with the same amount of room? Maybe if they did, they'd fly more comfortably and be less cranky.
Lisa Jan 9th 2007 8:58PM
I try not to recline my seat. Just at of respect for the person behind me. People, the airplane seats are not located in your living room and they are not rocking chairs either. So for the person that says people whine. Take a train with a cabin so you can sleep. Or stay home if you are that tired. I think that gadget is great for people.
Pat Hammon Jan 9th 2007 9:03PM
I purchase a plane ticket knowing that my seat has the ability to recline, and that I have the ability and right to recline it as part of my fare. I would be highly irritated at any fellow passengers who would interfere. If you really need not to have someoe recline, ask to be seated in the bulkhead seats (nobody in front of you), or in the exit rows (more room). Or, ante up the first class fare.
Paul Doxzon Jan 9th 2007 8:59PM
I fly and also hate those who push the seat all the way back. I do pu t my seat back, but no in a reclined position, just enough to get it off of verticle.
dale Jan 9th 2007 9:05PM
As long as airlines get away with cramming too many rows of seats on their planes, it should also be mandatory that seat backs cannot recline unless there is a specific amount of clearance between seat back and the seat behind it.
Actually, if enough customers complained and started refusing to travel on planes configured to pack in humans like sardines, how far back a person reclines would probably not be an issue.
Lynda Jan 10th 2007 10:16AM
I'd have loved to have this contraption when I had to fly to Florida a few weeks ago...I too am a tall person, flight over not bad, but coming back the lady in front of me determined that she had to have her seat back all the way, I asked her politely to put her seat back up and she got rude with me. I kicked the bottom of her seat most of the way to Houston fron Florida...I'm not a prison guard for nothing!
Lisa Jan 9th 2007 9:06PM
Who ever says that people are whiners and cry babies in reference to the reclining seats need to take a train or stay home. I think this is a great gadget.
If you are that tired stay home or get a sleeper compartment on a train.
JD Jan 9th 2007 9:11PM
Those of you who are frequent fliers should complain loudly to the airline every time you book a flight, regarding the lack of legroom. This is the root of the entire problem here. I fly rarely, incline my seat very little if anything at all to avoid such arguments with other passengers. I am an average size person, 5' 6", and even I have a tough time making do with this amount of room . It is unconscionable and very uncomfortable. I don't think these devices are fair however, because after all, the airline sells the seats with the ability to recline, and you are cheating someone out of what they have paid for if you use it. Those with the clout to complain should do so as much as possible , eventually maybe airlines will redesign the planes to reduce flyer rage.