On a recent American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, I chose to sit in row 16 of the 737-800MCE series aircraft because (like in row 17, as well) the middle seat is blocked on each side. The airline has made a habit of blocking out four seats like this so they can pay one less flight attendant (here’s a deeper explanation). I usually choose one of the exit rows—which are directly in front—but because these planes have been flying 100% full recently and the seats are so tight (or I’m just getting bigger), I decided that having more space next to me was more important than having it in front of me. And so I booked row 16 to check things out.
Little did I know that these seats come with pretty much no legroom, and so I knew that when the passenger in front of me reclined I wouldn’t be able to do work on my laptop. So I offered the passenger in front of me a free Gogo session (I work with them a lot and they give me a handful of free Gogo passes that I usually give to friends and flight attendants).
All I did was tap him on his shoulder and said, “Excuse me, but is there anyway you can let me know when you recline since I’ll be working on my computer?” He said it was no problem. I then said I’d even make him a deal: “If you don’t recline, I’ll give you a free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi pass”—and he said, “done deal.” And since he was so nice about it, I gave one to his girlfriend as well. It was a win-win for everyone and made row 16 a great choice.
Would you take that deal? I posted the question on my personal Facebook page (here’s my work Facebook page) and most said they would. But there a few who said, “No way, Jose!” as well, so I want to hear even more thoughts. Let me know what you would do, and what it would take for you to agree not to recline your seat in the comments below.
UPDATED on September 2, 2014: In the past eight days there’ve been three U.S. flights that had to make unscheduled landings after passengers got into fights over the ability to recline their seats. The first one was started by a passenger using Knee Defender but I don’t recommend getting this contraption.
Unless the flight was over 6 hours, I’d be fine with that – and would greatly appreciate the free wi-fi! I don’t sleep well on planes and prefer sitting straight due to back problems. I’d love to be on any flight where you were behind me, lol.
I almost never recline (and certainly not in coach), so I would have come out on the better end of the deal here – getting a bonus for something I would have done anyway! I think this and/or drink coupons is a great strategy.
I’d take your offer and pass it along to the person on front of me! With any luck, all of column B would refrain from reclining!
Steve – great idea! Love it!
I never recline my own seat and will slam my legs into the seatback of those who do until they are no longer unnecessarily laying on me and my legs. There’s no need to recline on a plane and the airlines should make it so seats don’t recline at all.
I totally agree
Well said.
I’d take the pass if you offered it but then again I’m way too considerate (or Canadian). I’d bring my seat back up in the days when full meal services were offered. And still do on international flights during the meal service.
Unless it was a very long flight, I wouldn’t recline my seat just because you asked.
I like that idea much better than those devices people use to prevent you from reclining. But honestly I would like to see Airline seat configurations regulated ( along with everything else).
I try not to recline when seat pitches are short but many of AA’s older seats are uncomfortable for me if I don’t recline so I usually recline part way. I guess it would depend on the length of the flight.
I don’t recline my seat. I think it is rude to do to the person behind. There is little room between seats as it is and reclining your sets is just wrong!
I totally agree with Nancy. I never recline-no reason to. I can not sleep on a plane so I won’t recline and make the person behind me uncomfortable. I have had people recline their seats and then sit up the whole time away from the back of their reclined seats. RUDE!
The worst part about flying is when the person in front of me reclines their seat and i have no room in front of me. I just want to start picking through their hair. I pay for my space and that includes my lap!
I also pay for a seat that reclines. You agreed to give up your personal sace when you purchased a flight in coach. You can recline and i can recline and we can all be miserable still. Or you can choose not to recline and i can recline and yet we are all still miserable.
My knee would be so far in the small of your back
And the person in front paid for his seat and has the right to recline. The right to recline supersedes the right of another to deny him his right.righting righting
How’s about a couple of mixed drinks and a “C note”?
It would depend on the length of the flight for me. Couple of hours, I’d consider it. I usually make sure I bring enough to occupy me without needing Wi-Fi, so I wouldn’t be too motivated by that coupon. Food/drink coupons would probably be more persuasive for me. :)
I just turn the air up full blast…adjust the nozzle at their head , and let it rip. The last time I did this the guy in front of me asked me to adjust the air and I told him if his head wasn’t in my lap it wouldn’t be blowing on him…he moved it some and so did I………..it is called give and take new america…get used to it.
lol That’s excellent, I’ll have to remember that one.
Oh freaking auto-fill….
Wow, I can see where you get the name Bruiser…..
Oh I just found something awesome! lol
http://www.gadgetduck.com/goods/kneedefender.html
And also some stats:
Results of a poll of 1000 fliers for Skyscanner, a flight search website, found that nine in ten travellers wanted reclining seats banned or at least restricted to set times on short-haul flights.
“It’s partly because there are two general personality types while travelling,” said Dr Becky Spelman, a psychologist from the Private Therapy Clinic in London, examining the psychology of so-called reclining seat rage.
“There’s the ‘altruistic soul’, who is considerate of others, and the ‘selfish ego’, who will look to increase their own comfort at the expense of others.”
The most likely passengers to be “altruistic souls” – those you should ideally aim to sit behind – were women aged between 18 and 24. Men over the age of 35 were the most selfish.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10349612/Nine-in-ten-want-reclining-seats-on-planes-banned.html
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I rarely recline my seat unless the person in front me reclines. And if I do, I always let the person behind me know so I don’t smash their laptop
You are a considerate traveler. :-)
I wanted to quote something from that Knee Defender page, for all of the people who care more about their reclining power than those behind them (or their own health):
….Foot lifts and knee lifts are recommended to promote healthy blood flow to help protect against deep vein thrombosis. Sometimes called “economy class syndrome”, DVT involves a potentially dangerous blood clot that can develop in the leg.
Having enough leg room to move around while still seated is important because in-seat exercising is often the only in-flight exercise option available to promote healthy circulation. This is especially true now that security agencies are imposing new limits on passenger access to the aisles, even during extended international flights.
If the airlines will not protect people from being battered, crunched, and immobilized – very real problems according to healthcare professionals, medical studies, government agencies, and even some airlines – then people need options to protect themselves.
Until there is something better – or even just something else – there is Knee Defender™.
So you see… it’s not just people whining about a seat in their face, or you spilling their drinks or food all over them, or having their knees bashed against your seat, or being trapped from escaping…. taking away that room can cause serious health risks, blood clots, etc. Have some consideration for those behind you.
I know from experience that as planes give you less and less room, it’s impossible to get one’s head between one’s legs if you’re about to faint. One time, I passed out on a plane because I couldn’t get into a position to prevent it. Airlines may not care about our health, but we can do our part to make it a little more bearable and safe for those around us.
Everyone should also watch the documentary “I Am” to see how we are literally part of the whole, scientifically connected and affecting the world around us… I found it online:
http://www.sockshare.com/file/FDDA2CA9C48B3739#
I see now that the seat must have been broken, but the worse I have had is where the guy in front of me threw his seat back and it landed on my knees and stayed there. I could not move and was astounded when, after my surprised yelp he wouldn’t adjust it up a notch. He did acknowledge me by giving a disgruntled snort. No moving, crossing my legs. and certainly not getting anything at my feet.
I am extremely claustrophobic and my only satisfaction was to cut on my light and readjust the air. An attendant did ask him to let me out later to use the loo.
It seems to me the space above my knees should be mine.
I’d say, “Thanks for the breeze!” If you’re too tall for economy, buy business class or first class. If you’re too fat for one seat, buy two. The world doesn’t revolve around your needs. You must adapt to the world, not the other way around.
I’d say, “If you are a self-entitled piece of s***, you can buy a business class or first class ticket where you can keep your narcissistic thoughts to yourself”.
The world does not revolve around your needs either. You are the reason why this world is messed up: no courtesy, respect or class. WOW.
I refuse to recline my seat on principal of being a decent human being. Period.
I wonder if you would still have that same stance if the passenger behind you was your mother who just had a knee replacement and can’t afford business/first class.
Did you see where a person put their seat back and the man sitting there got into a fight?
I am small and so a seat pushed back does not bother me. If you are nice and kind I doubt a fight would ensue BUT some people are just “nasty.”
I sure did and I wrote about that contraption back in 2003. http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/letter10_08_03.html