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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 5 of 26)
bill Jan 9th 2007 9:54PM
it's very rude to lean your seat back and into a stranger's personal space.those who think it's ok are the same people who are rude and selfish in stores ,restaurants,movie theaters and on the highway.society is worse off because you think that your comfort is more important than other people's.
Al Jan 9th 2007 9:55PM
The seats recline, approx., 4 inches. I recline my seat when I want to sleep during a long flight. If you are behind me and start banging on my seat you could be in for a surprise when we land. The police would be arresting you for attempting to incite a riot while in flight.
Michael Jan 11th 2007 4:25PM
A 12 hour transatlantic flight and you don't want to recline your seat? Quit lying, it gives your face wrinkles!
Audrey Williams Jan 10th 2007 12:15AM
I flew a month ago and the inconsiderate man in front of me waited until the stewardesses sat down for take off and put his seat all the way back. Did he not hear the warnings to put your seat and tray table in the fully upright position for takeoff AND landings? Does he not realize this warning is for everyones safety in case there has to be an emergency landing and we all have to try and exit from our seats. When I asked him to put his seat back upright, he just said "No". He left the seat in this position the entire 3 hour flight. Before we landed I informed the stewardess of this borish behavior and she informed him this would not be tolerated on landing. He did not put the seat back upon landing. I would buy this device in a heartbeat if I flew frequently!
TA Jan 9th 2007 10:33PM
As a flight attendant this contraption needs to be outlawed. You, as the passenger, paid for the seat. You have every legal right to recline it. Almost every seat in the airplane is able to recline (the exception being some of the emergency exit row seats and usually the last row on smaller aircraft). If YOU CHOOSE to NOT recline, that is YOUR OWN preference. So don't blame the person infront of you cause THEY decided to use their seat in the recline mode.
If there was ever a contraption that would cause undue and unnecessary arguments on airplanes this is one. As a passenger, you should first look behind you and then gently recline your seat. DO NOT just press the button and let it rip on back. I have seen laptops damaged, coffee spilled, and fight breakout because of people that aren't, shall I say, considerate. If you are tall, which I read some of you are....request for the exit rows for that extra leg room, or ask to be upgraded to the section of the airplane that has extra inches of legroom. Some have that, some don't. That's just my view. What's next people?? You all want to travel standing up strapped to a board. That would take care of it and wouldn't that be just soooo comfortable for 5 hours coast to coast!!??!
M9ike Jan 9th 2007 9:59PM
They should make it so that no seat can recline. Plane travel today is the equivalent of bus travel anyway. It is uncomfortable to travel by plane unless you are the size of a thoroughbred jockey. They keep shortening the distance between seats so they can put in more passengers. What they really need is to give everyone unlimited alcoholic beverages so that they can endure the agony of the long flights either awake or passed out.
Ellen Jan 9th 2007 10:04PM
I have a fractured tailbone and other serious back problems. I cannot sit perfectly straight up in airplane seats. Although I never fully recline the seat, I HAVE to be able to put it back a few inches. I would have a major problem if someoene tried to prevent me from doing this.
Elaine Jan 9th 2007 10:16PM
Everyone is blaming the wrong person. It is the airlines that have made flying so miserable. I just came back from New Zealand and can tell you New Zealand Airline gives everyone enough room to recline, cross their legs and enjoy their meal. They don't have to resort to childish behavior to have some comfort.
Tony Jan 11th 2007 1:25AM
Finally! Now there is a way to keep the idiots in front of me from reclining their seats! What a godsend! I was almost tempted to buy a pair of seats just to explore how to make a device to stop my knees being hit. I am going to buy 3 pairs of the Knee Defenders.... Yes! However, I will miss the enjoyment of jerking back and forth on the occupied seat in front of me as I finagle to get out into the aisle, I loved to wake those sleeping buffoons kicking and jerking on the seats, sniff sniff.
MLK Jan 9th 2007 10:07PM
What a great invention! I would have loved this when I flew every week. I am also one of those people who never recline my seat out of courtesy to the people behind me. I find that most of the people who recline their seats are the once or twice a year fliers who don't understand that for some of us, flying is work.
Jami Jan 9th 2007 10:08PM
Not that long ago, airplanes featured (purely symbolic) smoking and non-smoking sections. U.S. airlines eventually decided that the health and comfort of the majority outweighed the desires of the minority, and they banned smoking altogether. In time, everyone adjusted to the new reality.
Maybe it's time for reclining and non-reclining sections. The airlines need to take responsibility for this issue by either providing more space for all, or provide alternatives for passengers who require either more or less space. Flying is stressful enough: passengers shouldn't have to fight each other for the right to a modicum of comfort.
Mike Jan 20th 2007 2:20AM
This isn't a passenger problem it is an airline problem. I would rather pay a $100.00 more per flight than have more seats crammed into the plane.
I always feel like I am being treated like a head of cattle as soon as I step into the airport until I leave anyway. Flying in the cargo container would be more comfortable. At least I could lay down and sleep
gaiagal Jan 9th 2007 10:24PM
I think that device is pretty nifty- I feel like people are practically laying in my lap when they recline their seats all the way back and it makes me uncomfortable. I like the coughing/sneezing idea too.
Roger Jan 10th 2007 12:49PM
Well after all, whose fault is it the seats are so close? Not the person in front of you. Buy a better seat, or maybe complain the seats are to close, or...get tickets on airlines that give you more room. Whow, what a concept, making choices!
Kathy Jan 9th 2007 10:09PM
I once was on a cross country red eye flight and was going directly to work from the airport. I planned on sleeping on the flight and the guy behind kept kicking my seat up. I finally had to tell him that I paid for my seat just as he had and I paid for a seat that reclined, just like his does. If he didn't like my seat reclined then he should ask to move!!
James Jan 9th 2007 10:11PM
We are all allocated a certain number of square feet (or square inches)in our seat area. Obviously, if the person in front reclines, their space is increased, while the "victim" behind has his/her space reduced. This is not only uncomfortable for the passenger in back in terms of doing ANYTHING that can be done on a flight, it is grossly unfair. I personally feel that the airlines should install comfortable seats that DO NOT recline. I do sympathize with very tall passengers, and I think the exit rows should be reserved for them for the added leg room.
Barb Jan 9th 2007 10:11PM
Thank you Barry and Jase for the great comments. If people want the luxury of reclining seats, PAY for a first class ticket. Airplane seats are crowded enough without having to put up with a stranger in your lap.
Dave Jan 9th 2007 10:13PM
I've lived on planes for 30 years, and I don't recline my seat because I know how inconvenient it is for those behind. It's just common courtesy. On the other hand, those that do I've found are militant about it and feel they are entitled to all of the space they can get, even to the point of leaving the seat back when they are up and wandering around the plane. It is just rude. I would vote for the airlines reclining all seats permanently or make them all non recliners. The option of course is to give all passengers the space between rows required to not make this an issue. However all regular travelers know that passenger convenient and comfort is no longer a regard of airlines for coach class.
Joseph Jan 9th 2007 10:25PM
Stop crying. I pay for my seat on a plane, there for I'm going to recline my seat whenever I feel like it. If you don't want me to recline my seat, then pay for my plane ticket and I won't. Until that happens, how about some cheese to go with your whine.
Burt Jan 9th 2007 10:27PM
To Brad, and all the personal comfort seekers, the answer is simple: TURN AROUND TO SEE IF THE SEAT BEHIND YOU IS OCCUPIED BEFORE LEANING YOURS ALL THE BACK. IF IT'S OCCUPIED, THEN PLEASE HAVE THE COMMON COURTESY TO ASK IF THAT PASSENGER WOULD MIND OR IS UNCOMFORTABLE (and if so, dont recline all the way)! This really applies to the majority of flights which are domestic.
And, thanks to other sufferers for those great ideas on dealing with these egotistical boobs.