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Federal judge will decide on your right to relax, not airlines
Nobody likes it when the passenger in front of him reclines. I can't fathom any circumstance in which having the person's seatback on your lap is enjoyable. I have numerous tactics I use to prevent the person in front of me from reclining, and I suspect I'm not alone (in fairness to the person behind me, I rarely recline, and if I do, it's never more than half way).So, when you drive your knees into the seatback in front of you, are you being an unreasonable and impolite ... or are you depriving the passenger in front of you of his right to recline?
It looks like the answer will come from the U.S. District Court of Colorado.
On an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Denver, two passengers got into a rather heated argument over this right (or privilege) to recline. CNN reports:
As Brian Dougal leaned back on the Denver-bound flight late last month, he felt someone bump his seat, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Colorado.
"Are you serious? My knees are up against the seat," said the man behind him, identified as Tomislav Zelenovic, according to the complaint.
Dougal suggested that Zelenovic also recline, slide into an empty seat next to him or move his legs to the side. Dougal told the man in 10C that he paid for his seat and was going to recline it.
Zelenovic then shook the back of Dougal's seat and grabbed his right ear, pulling it back and down with enough force to knock Dougal's glasses off his face, according to the complaint.
Okay, that is hard core. The cops were waiting for Zelenovic on the ground, and he was charged with assault (he's pleading not guilty).
Yeah, this behavior is nothing short of absurd, but it does speak to the fundamental issue of whether we should (or should) be able to recline. Frankly, this debacle makes Michael O'Leary look like a genius. After all, you can't recline if you can't even sit down, right?
Hey, how do you feel about reclining? Drop a comment below to share your thoughts.
[photo by Andrew Mason via Flickr]
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tri Dec 9th 2010 5:22PM
Can somebody tell me what's the reason to have the seats reclinable if you're not supposed to recline?
Malcolm Dec 9th 2010 6:12PM
And what if you're in the row in front the exit row or the last row of the plane? You, presumably, paid just as much for your seat as the schmoe in the row ahead of you, but you cannot recline.
I, for one, tend to get sneezing fits when someone in front of me reclines into my lap while crushing my knees.
Tri Dec 9th 2010 11:42PM
If you paid for something but get something else less than promised, you take it up with the company that sold the product. You don't take it up with the other customers, do you?
Sabrina Dec 9th 2010 5:42PM
I think it depends on the kind of flight. Especially for the long ones (e.g., trans-atlantic) where people try to sleep, I don't see a problem with it. And in general I tend to agree with the comment above. If you're not supposed to, then make it impossible. That would solve it ;)
Tom Johansmeyer Dec 9th 2010 5:44PM
@TRI and @Sabrina: good points. I'm waiting for the day when the airlines decide that the option to recline will cost $4.95.
Kent monee Dec 16th 2010 7:33AM
What? I travel at least 10 times a year and I cherish the ability to recline to ease the stress a bit. Cursed be the day they take that away from us.
Tom Betz Dec 9th 2010 6:29PM
Since common courtesy isn't common, I think all Cattle Class seats should be locked in their fixed and upright position. If you disagree ride in the front of the plane.
Mike Dec 9th 2010 6:49PM
I've found that a very loud "OUCH!" at the moment they recline causes enough embarrassment on their part to very quickly unrecline their seat.
steve326m Dec 9th 2010 9:00PM
What I suspect is that the seats being able to recline is a let over from the days when the seats were much further apart. As airlines put them closer together over the years in order to maximize their profits, the reasonable room to recline has diminished considerably thus causing the above problem and I'm definitely sure it isn't the only one. The up coming ruling will be very interesting. God Bless.....
Ljbad4life Dec 9th 2010 9:34PM
well, I've takem numerous flights and i've never been bother by someone reclining. A little reclining is fine, just don't try to lay in someones lap. As for the comment regarding if you want to recline go to the front of the plane (referring to first class), how about you stop being and over grown freak? Both statements are utterly ridiculous
Charles Dec 9th 2010 10:25PM
I have always thought the best solution for reclining seats is to make ONLY the Middle Seats recline. Windows and Aisles could not recline. If you want to recline your seat, you will ask to be seated in the middle. And you will know that the people in front of you and behind you also want to recline. Problem solved.
Greg Dec 10th 2010 3:22AM
Wise, compelling idea!
Malaycobra Dec 9th 2010 10:31PM
What, are you six foot seven?
I'm 6'-2" and am rarely bothered by the person in front reclining.
I was on a "cigar tube" regional jet from Houston to Milwaukee today, and the full recline was about 3" from vertical. Hardly "laying in someone's lap"
Besides, have you noticed the tray doesn't move when someone reclines? that because the seat hinges above your knees, so unless you're Andre the Giant, it shouldn't cause too much of a problem.
And I'll tell you something, if someone tries to stop me reclining we'll be having words...
Eager Traveler Dec 9th 2010 10:54PM
I am 6'5" and there is no way you are even going to move your seat 2 mm.
Joe Dec 10th 2010 6:56AM
Telling the guy where to sit was definitely not needed and his other two were really crappy.
But grabbing the guy's ear was definitely uncalled for. This is where the flight attendant should have been called in and either made the guy move his seatback or move the other passenger to another seat.
Acting like an adult in this instance would be way too difficult.
Alex Dec 10th 2010 12:27PM
When did people start believing they have this unalienable right to never have a reclined seat in front of them? The seat reclines for a reason - because sitting in a seat with a straight back for hours on end is about as comfortable as running backward through a cornfield. Unless you're taller than 6' 5" your kness aren't going to be "crushed" by the seat in front of you unless you're slouching. Have you ever noticed that on any given flight at least 60% of people recline their seats, if not more? I've been flying my whole life and have never, ever seen an argument over a reclined seat.
Stop being so dramatic and quit your f*cking whining people.
Crissy Dec 11th 2010 12:03PM
I'm in the camp of "if the seat reclines you should be allowed to recline." That doesn't mean you shouldn't be considerate about it - doing so slowly, checking to make sure they don't have a computer or something that might get banged. Also, if you don't need the recline (i.e. when eating) you should put your seat upright. But I find the recline is so small that I barely notice the seat in my way, but at times really enjoy that little bit as it helps relax and sleep.