To recline or not recline

I agree with the lady from Emily Post. It is function of the seat. When you buy a ticket you get two expectations(among many others also): 1. you may recline at your leisure. 2. you may be reclined upon whether you like it or not.

I try not to do it out of courtesy but I don't expect the person in front of me to do the same. The space within the "recline zone" isn't simply one person's space..it is "shared" space that the recliner has a right to over the person behind.

I don't recline (ever), but that's because I've always attributed reclining to laziness.

It's not the reclining person's fault, it is the airline for scrunching people in. I am a pretty tall and lanky person, so it can bother me, but then I recline right back.

I usually recline whenever I feel like it. I do take into consideration the person behind me. If they look uncomfortable or if they are large, then I won't. Otherwise tough luck, I paid for my comfort and I am going to use it.

Just hope you don't sit behind me.

Well technically you didn't pay for "your comfort" unless you bought some version of an upgraded seat that gives you more room. As you pointed out the airlines are selling seats in a sardine can, and it would be nice if you feel that you want to pay for comfort then buy the upgrade that Saden and I mentioned, so that you really are paying for it, otherwise you really could respect the other people that are also just trying to get from point a to point b in an economical fashion.

@ CRedskins: I really don't agree with that. As FRPLG said, it's a part of the ticket you pay for. There are no rules which tell you not to recline. The button needs to be removed if something the airline feels like the passenger should not do. I don't know why I have to fork over extra money to do something each ticket allows you to do.

With all this being said, I don't recline if someone is large or looks uncomfortable. I travel 70% of the time for work, and I have never had anyone complain, grunt, etc. about reclining. If someone asked me to bring my seat back up, in a polite manner, I would do it. If they think the area in front of them is their God given right, and are a prick about it, I would not bring my seat upright.

@ CRedskins: I really don't agree with that. As FRPLG said, it's a part of the ticket you pay for. There are no rules which tell you not to recline. The button needs to be removed if something the airline feels like the passenger should not do. I don't know why I have to fork over extra money to do something each ticket allows you to do.

With all this being said, I don't recline if someone is large or looks uncomfortable. I travel 70% of the time for work, and I have never had anyone complain, grunt, etc. about reclining. If someone asked me to bring my seat back up, in a polite manner, I would do it. If they think the area in front of them is their God given right, and are a prick about it, I would not bring my seat upright.

Well I always just kinda dealt with it when the person in front did. I understand the point that it's a part of the seat, my only difference with your first statement was you said you paid for comfort, and I don't think anyone buying the economy tickets (myself included) is paying for comfort, instead we are paying for the transportation from point a to b. I agree that, since it's a part of the seat you have the "right", to me it's just not respectful, unless it's a little child or small woman behind you. That doesn't give the other person a right to be a prick about it either.

I agree with the lady from Emily Post. It is function of the seat. When you buy a ticket you get two expectations(among many others also): 1. you may recline at your leisure. 2. you may be reclined upon whether you like it or not.

I try not to do it out of courtesy but I don't expect the person in front of me to do the same. The space within the "recline zone" isn't simply one person's space..it is "shared" space that the recliner has a right to over the person behind.


How can it be shared space when my fcking legs are there?

CRedskin I understand what you are saying but to me, when I buy a ticket I am not only paying for simple transport. I am paying for my carry-on weight, my soda, my pretzels, etc. On airlines like Air Tran, with free XM radio, I factor that into the ticket too. So when I say I am paying for comfort, I am saying a portion of my ticket pays for the physical seat which gives me an option to recline, and increase my comfort level. Basically reclining, and therefore that comfort, is a part of the ticket. Perhaps not the main part, but a part nonetheless.

How can it be shared space when my fcking legs are there?

Because the person with the seat in front bought a ticket for a seat that reclines and you bought a seat with a seat in front of you that can recline. You don't like it don't buy the ticket.

CRedskin I understand what you are saying but to me, when I buy a ticket I am not only paying for simple transport. I am paying for my carry-on weight, my soda, my pretzels, etc. On airlines like Air Tran, with free XM radio, I factor that into the ticket too. So when I say I am paying for comfort, I am saying a portion of my ticket pays for the physical seat which gives me an option to recline, and increase my comfort level. Basically reclining, and therefore that comfort, is a part of the ticket. Perhaps not the main part, but a part nonetheless.
I agree. I think the purchase of the seat and its practical functions trumps the purchase of a seat and the space around it.

Reclining seats are rude. They should not even be an option in planes. Some clown in front of me wants to sleep so i get his seat rammed in my face. Rediculous...