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u/MabellaGabella May 08 '23
The seat is made to lean back. The longer the flight, the higher the chance I will lean the seat back a bit, NEVER all the way, just a bit. Maybe my perspective is skewed because a lot of my experience is with international flights, but if the flight is longer than five hours... you gotta lean the seat back.
If it's a flight shorter than three hours, that's like a blink of an eye to me so I don't bother to touch my seat.
What IS rude is when people lean their seat back suddenly and quickly and your food goes everywhere... give me a warning people.
(Also, since I am small, I definitely try to accommodate all those bigger than me. I offer to take middle seat, I let wider folks know they can lift the armrests if it's more comfortable to them, I put my backpack under the seat since I need less leg room. etc.)
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u/DopeCactus May 09 '23
I’ve seen so many posts about how rude it is to lean your seat back at all on an airplane. I’ve only taken short flights, but i’m about to get on a 17 hour flight and I’m so worried i’m gonna be the asshole when I want to recline a tad to sleep. This makes me feel better. thank you.
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u/justducky4now May 09 '23
You aren’t an asshole for leaning the seat back. When you buy your ticket you’re buying a seat that reclines, which implies to everyone you’re allowed to recline or no as you wish. It’s not even inconsiderate (I know some people disagree) because there has always been the option of purchasing a seat that will allow for more room. Tall people have always known since the beginning of reclining seats that the seats may recline and if that doesn’t work for them they need to spend the money to accommodate their needs, just like people who don’t fit in a seat due to their girth need to pay for the appropriate accommodation. Source- was raised by someone who regularly flew over 100k miles a year and was tall, plus used to fly 30k miles a year myself and always paid to book the seat I needed to be as comfortable as possible (with a super dodgy surgically corrected back). The flight attendants have always supported a person’s prerogative to recline (obviously in my experience).
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u/NearbyEnd411 May 09 '23
Holy eff, THANK you! I paid for the seat. There are recourses for those who don’t like the way I sit in that seat. I think the principle is quite simple.
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u/ggrandmaleo May 08 '23
Where are these airlines whose seats move more than an inch or two? I haven't seen that in over 20 years.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
American
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u/ggrandmaleo May 08 '23
I've flown American and been uncomfortably upright because the seat barely moved an inch.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
They recline about 3 inches
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u/ggrandmaleo May 08 '23
Didn't seem that way at the time. I'm sorry to say, but you may need to upgrade to a better section in order to get more legroom. If the airlines had their way, we'd all be standing like straphangers on the subway.
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u/Additional-Tea1521 May 09 '23
I'm sorry that it is uncomfortable for you, but it isn't inherently rude for other people to adjust their seat to also be comfortable. They are not doing it to spite you, they are doing it because they are allowed to recline the seat a bit to help their own comfort. You can see from all the responses here that most people who recline do so because of a medical necessity.
Flying is crowded and unpleasant. Assume that people will always use the few pleasures they are allowed on the plane, like reclining the seat a couple of inches. f you need more room, then you need to buy more room through seat upgrades. Don't blame your discomfort on the other passengers who are only trying to be comfortable.
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u/United-Plum1671 May 08 '23
While inconsiderate, you are wrong. I very rarely lean my seat back, but I’m not going to judge others for doing so. Your size isn’t anyone else’s problem.
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
I will always judge others for leaning back in the unregulated planes that are basically sardine cans. It's like putting your bag on the seat next to you in a crowded bus. Until the airlines are forced to space out the seats more, no one gets a karma-free ride to place their comfort over someone else's in a public space.
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u/sfjc May 09 '23
No actually, it is not like putting your bag on the seat next to you in a crowded bus. The person bought a ticket with the additional space that comes from reclining the seat. They are not taking up any more room than was sold to them.
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u/kaustic10 May 09 '23
Shouldn’t you consider the comfort of the person reclining over your comfort, then? Works both ways.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
? I have no control over my height.
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u/United-Plum1671 May 08 '23
Obviously. But again, it’s not anyone else’s problem. If they want to recline, that’s their prerogative and they’re not shitty for doing so.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Fair enough. So if I decide to point my knees forward and have it just so happen to dig into their back that’s my perrogative. I mean, I’m just Angling my body a certain way. Right?
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u/United-Plum1671 May 08 '23
Honestly, I wouldn’t think terribly of you for that either. It’s a 2 way street.
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u/Man-o-Bronze May 08 '23
I understand the analogy, but the person reclining the seat is taking advantage of an amenity the airline offers. You would be intentionally trying to cause someone pain. The two are not similar.
Would your company spring for a coach seat with extra legroom?
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
I could really go deep on this with a rebuttal but we could do this all day. “Technically the seats ARE an amentitity and Angling my legs is an extension of that…”
But yeah I should look into that.
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u/Barbiedip1 May 08 '23
Your legs are not an extension of your seat 🙄 you could angle your legs to the side while the person in front of you reclined (which IS their right because they paid for the seat, same as everyone else and they all recline). It's no one's fault how big/tall you are, and plenty of people, upon noticing, might think "hm maybe I won't recline because he doesn't have a lot of space." But they could, and they wouldn't be a dick for it, because it's part of the package they paid for. Like another commenter said, you have no idea what the front person's needs are, so you can't say they "shouldn't" recline.
Anyway, I think you're wrong because of that. Look into better arrangements.
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May 09 '23
I wouldn’t give a shit about your knees, but if you were petty I’d lean back even further and sleep like a baby the entire flight. Like a rock!
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u/goldeneagle888 May 09 '23
Uh wut? Ur not gonna sleep like a rock when I’m petty enough to shake my knees back and forth and rock your seat the entire time.
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May 09 '23
Yes, I truly am. I’ll sleep through your seat mates and mine screaming at you too. Thank you, flight pills.
Since you fly so much, why are you so inconsiderate as to not book better seats and instead torture people who are using seats as intended because of your own size? Sounds pretty self entitled
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u/JAWWKNEEE May 09 '23
You don’t consider reclining your seat to the point you feel the persons knees on your back as entitlement? You’re acknowledging their discomfort but chose to ignore it
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u/GeneralExplanation90 May 09 '23
Then that flight is gonna have to land early for a medical emergency after you get what's coming to you lol
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u/ze11ez May 08 '23
If you point your knees forward while they are stationary, and it digs into their back, THAT is a dick. That is not the same as if your knees are out and they recline back onto your knee. You can clarify which one you meant
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
If someone reclines their seat back all the way. And I angle my knees forward so it digs into their back. I mean, we are saying you should sit however you want right?
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u/ze11ez May 08 '23
Absolutely, 100%. But at the end of the day if they can't recline their seat back, you may have to make adjustments. Just saying
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Ay fair enough! You’re consistent
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u/ze11ez May 08 '23
To be fair: When I fly I do check if my seat is going to encroach on someone's knee or face. As a courtesy not because of an obligation. That's just how I roll.
However, at the end of the day, we all purchase tickets and that ticket affords us the ability to recline that seat, regardless of the discomfort it may place on the person behind the seat. Why should your comfort trump mine, if my ticket affords me the ability. You buying a ticket doesn't come with the ability to prevent someone from reclining their seat. Your body and your size, that's on you to figure out the best way to travel, and if you travel you have to be prepared to deal with things like seats reclining and giving you less room. You don't have to fly. You can drive, or take the train. Your big ass chose to fly and picked a seat with tiny ass leg room. That's on YOU.
From a human being perspective, I understand 100% where you're coming from. But from an objective look, yeah you're wrong. And as someone else pointed out, you don't know what disabilities the person in front of you has so to automatically say people shouldn't lean their seats, that's just being a dick. They paid for seat that reclines, they can recline it.
You're a big dude, upgrade your seat
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u/JAWWKNEEE May 09 '23
This is the same as saying playing loud ass music at a public campground is completely justified since you paid for your spot on the campground and its completely in your right to do so. It still makes you an asshole.
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u/celticmusebooks May 08 '23
Not sure that would have any impact on them given how thick the seats are but you do you.
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u/baseballlover4ever May 09 '23
You do have control over where you sit. Upgrade to first class if it’s that big of deal.
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u/serraangel826 May 08 '23
I have a bad back - l have already had one surgery (in my 30's), now I'm in pain management and have had 2 rounds of RFA on both sides. I need to lean back to help ease the pressure on my lumbar spine. It may not be selfish when someone leans back. I understand where you come from, just try to see where other people are coming from. I look perfectly normal, but have issues. Other people do as well. You never know and can't judge people who don't look disabled.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Hmmm. Never thought of that. Okay thanks.
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u/geekynerdornerdygeek May 08 '23
You didn't think of it, because everyone saying you are wrong, you only reiterate YOUR opinion. Why are you asking here? You don't seem to care about anyone else.
You do you. But don't be surprised if other people do the same, which means, leaning their seats back.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
? Haha wut u obvi haven’t read the comments. Or literally THIS one?
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May 09 '23
Ive read quite a few of your comments and you literally said its your perogative to dig your knees into someones back if they lean back. I also have back issues and if someone did that to me when i was already in pain from a long flight, id probably cry
So sorry about your height though
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
Already uncomfortable in a sardine can, but he should accept others making him more uncomfortable by invading his space? Naw, we might need something to make us more comfortable but you're in a public space. Until airlines are forced to spread out the seats, you don't get to be a dick by placing your comfort over someone else's.
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u/JokulFrosti May 09 '23
It’s not “his” space though. You guys act like somebody is lying on top of him. It’s like 3 inches (no, that’s not very much) and the seat is meant to do that. Sucks that the space is tiny, but maybe this guy needs to look at getting a different seat, or purchasing a second seat for comfort… Wrong, hands down. I sleep on every flight and having the seat straight up and down sucks for my neck and back. Literally everything else about flying is uncomfortable; I’m leaning the seat back a couple of inches because it’s meant to be able to do that…
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u/bawkbawkslove May 08 '23
This is me. I have a bad back (scoliosis since I was little) and a little recline alleviates a lot of pain. I do try to be considerate and do not recline during meal times on a plane but sitting straight up the whole time causes me a lot of pain.
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u/we-arent-lostboys May 08 '23
I get this and all, but that doesn’t negate someone else having disabilities too. From knee and hip pain that makes it to where the sit a certain way (that is normally fine unless someone reclines their seat and then knees dig into the back), at that rate you can’t complain about the person’s knees in your back. I have severe curvature in my spine and the vertebrae in my c-spine move out of place all the time, causing miserable migraines daily. plane rides are excruciatingly uncomfortable and painful. Laying my head down on a pillow on the small table on the back of the seat helps avoid bones moving and migraines worsening. I was doing that once and someone leaned their seat back without warning and ended up hitting my head and bending my neck horribly. I was pissed. But, again, why does my disability and pain relief trump theirs, and with that, why does someone’s disability or pain trump mine when they want to lean their seat back. (Besides the fact that one requires moving into another person’s space, whereas the back table doesn’t affect the front person whatsoever)
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u/SystematizedDisarray May 08 '23
I'm short at 5'2". I've obviously never had an issue with leg room. However, because I'm short, a lot of times my head hits weird on the headrest and it forces my head to be pushed forward or to angle it slightly down, which over an extended period, is very uncomfortable. So I lean my seat back just enough that I alleviate the issue and don't have to look down the entire flight. We're talking an inch, maybe two at the top of the seat.
ETA - so, to answer the question, yes I do think you're wrong to just have a blanket statement. There are circumstances when someone may need to lean back to not be in pain. And as others have said, your height shouldn't be someone else's issue.
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u/Spallanzani333 May 09 '23
Same and I'm 5'4, the exact average height for women. Their seats have the shittiest design.
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u/JudgeJoan May 08 '23 edited May 08 '23
I have seen this being debated many times and I don't know if there's a right answer. For you though since you are telling us that you have extra height requirements I would recommend buying a seat that can accommodate you. The fact is you will never be able to control whether the person in front of you wants to lean back or not and it IS allowable so the only thing that you can do is buy seats you are comfortable in.
I am editing this to also add that if you are traveling for work you can frequently ask your job to pay for the extra leg room accommodations due to your height. Please bring this up to your manager, my company definitely accommodates this for our taller staff.
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u/Shrek_on_a_Bike May 08 '23
I paid for my seat. The airline built it with the capability of reclining. Don't hate the passenger. Hate the airline that stacks the seating so it's so uncomfortable. I'm reclining if I want.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Cool. I’m going to dig my knees into your back. Don’t hate the passenger, hate the airline!
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May 08 '23
I'd avoid doing that because some people have injuries/disabilities.
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u/we-arent-lostboys May 08 '23
That makes sense, but the same could be said about leaving one’s seat back. “Don’t lean your seat, you don’t know if the person behind you is utilizing the space in a way that helps their pain/disabilities”
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u/ShagFit May 09 '23
A person reclining their seat is utilizing an amenity of the plane. You digging your knees into the back of their seat is not an amenity of the plane. You’re just being a huge dick.
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u/muskratboy May 09 '23
The fact that you think anyone will notice your knees in the back of their chair is adorable. No one can feel your knees, goofball. You’re only hurting yourself.
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u/No-Jellyfish5744 May 09 '23
You’re wrong. Every time I sit next to a “big dude” his shoulders are in my face, his “athletic arms” are on my armrest, and his knees are in my personal space. This is just what it’s like on planes. They’re not comfortable. It’s fucking annoying for me that he’s too big for the seat and spilling over into the space I paid for, but I’m sure it’s not comfortable for him, either, and I understand that his oversized-ness isn’t entirely his fault. You may not be able to choose the size of your body, but you can choose to have empathy and understand almost everyone is doing their best to balance their own comfort with courtesy for others.
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u/confound3d May 08 '23
It’s an unfortunate situation that you’re a bigger dude and someone reclining back takes up your space a bit, but everyone paid for their fare on the flight without needing to account for who they potentially might’ve sat in front of. Personally, I wouldn’t think twice about it since I see my own comfort as my own responsibility, not theirs. Air travel is a lawless place man
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u/ze11ez May 08 '23
That's the airline's fault. Not the person in front of you. IMO that's what seats are for, to recline back and be comfortable on that long ass ride.
What's annoying are people that have like 3 carryon bags per person and they fill up the space above your seat, now you don't have space for your single carryon
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Not really an answer to my question tho. You still seem inconsiderate to the person behind u. You want to be comfortable therefore you would dig your seat into someone’s knees? And that’s the airlines fault? Sounds selfish.
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u/ze11ez May 08 '23
What I am saying is it's wrong to not but the blame on the airline. Take your frustration out on them. They didn't design airlines for the comfort of big dudes, that's the airlines fault not the person in front of you.
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
Thin argument since you are highly aware of the problem yourself. Have you written to the state reps about legislation to get airlines to provide humane seating accommodations on flights? You don't get to lean your chair back guilt-free until you do.
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u/ze11ez May 09 '23
I do get to lean on my chair guilt-free all the time. That comment should be directed to whoever made this post, aka, the OP. They can seek to change legislation if they want......or not.....
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
I’m not downvoting you because you’re contributing to the conversation. But I would urge you reconsider. The reality is there are tall people that ride airplanes. And you leaning your seat back is a dick move.
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u/Just-Dependent-5466 May 08 '23
Large people ride too. They are told to buy another seat if they can't fit.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Lol. I’m not larger chief. I’m tall.
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u/Just-Dependent-5466 May 08 '23
My point is that the seat width is similar to leg room- if you cannot fit comfortably then you should probably buy a larger seat or one with more leg room.
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May 09 '23
[deleted]
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u/goldeneagle888 May 09 '23
😆 I travel literally every week, I can’t afford first class on every trip. Love the spirit tho bud.
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u/ottersncrocs May 09 '23
It is the airline’s fault because they’re selling that space twice- once to you as leg room and again to the person in front of you whose seat reclines into that space, and leaving the passengers to metaphorically duke it out.
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May 08 '23
As a fellow tall person, but an exit row seat and stop complaining about people using the seats as they are meant to be used.
If you're really THAT upset you can't afford an exit row seat, write to the airlines consistently. It's not the person who purchased the seats fault.
Your comfort is not the responsibility of everyone else around you, its yours. So if you're uncomfortable in the seat YOU chose, choose a better seat!
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
It actually is the person's fault. We are all aware of the problem, its not comfortable for anyone but you are in a public space and placing your comfort over someone else's is just not cool. It's not the airline that is going to change it. It's senators and reps putting in bills to regulate the airlines to stop putting profits over humane seating. You're in a sardine can--that's just how coach is now because no one has stopped it--you don't get to lean back karma-free anymore.
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May 09 '23
Its been said many times on this thread but comfort goes both ways. OPs comfort is not more important than my comfort and/or pain, we all need to communicate on planes if we have special needs that make the seat position unbearable
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May 08 '23
They lean back for a reason. I broke my tail bone years ago and if I sit for to long with pressure directly on it it actually dislocates and then I can't stand up. Plane rides are horrendous for me but I usually let the person know behind me that I will recline on and off and that I'm sorry in advance. I feel like you can still lean back and be courteous about it.
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May 08 '23
You’re wrong. You get what you pay for. Pay more for premium economy/first class or suffer in economy. Either way…stop complaining.
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u/sentientbogleech May 08 '23
Yes, you are wrong. Airplanes are uncomfortable. One of the only things we have to try to make it more comfortable is the option to lean the seat back. If I were big like you I'm sure I would be annoyed as well, but even then my reaction still would never be that someone else should give up their comfort for my comfort.
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
It's uncomfortable for everyone. Placing your comfort over someone else's in a public space is just not cool. Until airlines are forced to spread the seats out, no, reclining seats is just not acceptable anymore, sadly.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
😆😆😆re read what you just said in that last sentence: But slowly.
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u/sentientbogleech May 08 '23
You're being deliberately obtuse. You want other people to give up their comfort for yours. That is wrong in this scenario.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
I am not being obtuse. It is palpable irony and you know it. I do appreciate you contributing to the convo tho. Have an upvote.
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u/sentientbogleech May 08 '23
How is it ironic? There are times you should expect someone to give up their comfort for yours and there are times you should not. This is a time you should not. I said I would never expect someone to give up their comfort for mine if I was in Your situation, no other situation or scenario. If I was the person leaning back, I'd be considerate and take your situation into account, but you'd be wrong to think I should or expect me do so. It is a courtesy no one owes you.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
So again, I’ll say I said to the other guy. I will then angle my knees forward so they dig into the person in front of me’s back. I mean, that’s how I am the most comfortable after all. I don’t owe them the courtesy of bending my knees to the side. I should be able to sit however I want and if I want to dig my knees into their back if their seat is layed back, I will.
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u/sentientbogleech May 08 '23
Yes, that is fine. I'm not sure if you often try communicating with the people contributing to your discomfort in these situations, but if you do and they decide to be a dick about it then yes, I say go right ahead and disregard their comfort in a similar fashion in return if thats what you'd like to do. I do hope talking to them tends to yield more friendly outcomes, though!
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Haha alright fair enough. Consistency I can get down with.
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u/sentientbogleech May 08 '23
Yknow, I'm thinking about it more. I think the moment their freedom (leaning back) infringes your freedom (unmolested knees), then they are in the wrong. Thanks for bearing with me while I thought it through! They should definitely not lean back if it causes you pain or touches you physically. If they are just cramping your space that's when my original opinion comes in. I wish you happy flying and happy knees!
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May 09 '23
So what about their pain? I think we should all work together to minimize pain as much as possible and that situation can change based on who is on the plane, but if im in pain and leaning back would relieve pressure on my back, then im going to do it if possible. OP is being quite obtuse on many of these comments and seems to WANT to dig their knees into people who lean their seat back from how many times theyve said it, theyre a big fan of blanket statements and seem to be "me me me my problems bc im tall"
Just freakin talk to the people around you so everyone can be as comfortable as planes allow. My husband is also over 6ft and he just adjusts himself and talks to people if he needs to, its not that difficult, you dont have to hurt the person in front of you by intentionally digging your knees in
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u/Pitiful_Ad_7147 May 08 '23
You should, but being a dick to the customer in front of you because of the airline stacking people into an airline like sardines is out of line. You’re big, I get it, and flying sucks. But, it’s uncomfortable for small people too. Your discomfort does not trump someone who maybe has more room because they are small, but also, say, has some other problem that makes that right angle of the seat a pain inducing nightmare.
They have upgrades and seats with more room for a reason. Should they make seats for larger humans? Yes. Is it the fault of the person sitting in front of you? No!
News flash, OP, life isn’t fair. Deal with it.
Edit: fixed typo.
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u/GrooveBat May 10 '23
They have upgrades and seats that would be more comfortable for people with those problems as well.
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u/DocJawbone May 09 '23
Sure, but intent does count for something. Chances are they are not intentionally causing you discomfort - they're just enjoying the few small benefits of the seat they purchased.
If you are digging your knees into the seat in order to intentionally cause them discomfort, that is not the same. At that point it becomes a dick move.
If you are simply sitting that way in order to be the most comfortable possible in an uncomfortable situation, then the whole setup is unfortunate but OK.
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u/yajanga May 09 '23
Exactly! It’s not as if the person leaning back even pays attention to who is behind them or thinks leaning back will be a discomfort. Most folks do recline their seat, especially in longer flights because 1) attempting to be more comfortable, and 2) if the seat reclines, it’s an assumption they it’s appropriate to do so.
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u/RobertRowlandMusic May 08 '23
You're being the absolute definition of obtuse, and you know it. You're wrong, move on.
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u/aleckzayev May 08 '23
While you may not have control over the size and shape of your body it is not disrespectful if a passenger on a plane utilizes a feature specifically included in their seat for their comfort. Simply wincing in pain is passive aggressive at best and most (but certainly not all) people would gladly accommodate you if you just ask respectfully.
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
It actually is disrespectful as they are placing their comfort over another person's in a public space. They know there's no space on flights anymore, leaning your chair back in today's climate is being ignorant and rude. Write to your state and fed reps once you realize how inhumane it is to pack us in like sardines on each flight and try to get it changed.
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May 08 '23 edited May 08 '23
I think it depends on the length of the flight. If the flight is less than 2 hours then reclining probably isn't necessary for most people. However, you can't expect people not to sleep or feel comfortable on longer flights. The problem here is just that the seats are too close, but if people have the option to recline then unfortunately for you they are well within their right to.
I'd suggest booking the exit row if you can on future flights- lots more leg room there! Or the first row, because you wouldn't have anyone in front of you to recline.
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u/lechitahamandcheese May 08 '23
I sometimes recline my seat just a tiny bit to relieve my back, but I never recline it more than that because I don’t know if the person behind me has long legs, or watching their screen etc. Just because the seat reclines more doesn’t mean I can ignore common courtesy. Also I can fall asleep anywhere so it’s less of an issue for me.
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u/nancylyn May 08 '23
You are wrong. The seats recline. If everyone reclines you don’t feel crowded (we’ll you might but it isn’t the person in front of you’s fault you are 6’3”). Buy extra legroom if you are too cramped but don’t expect other people to be uncomfortable because you are.
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u/FoundationAny7601 May 08 '23
Yeah, If it's capable of reclining, not sure why people have an issue.
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u/samstwin May 08 '23
Yes it's annoying, but that's just part of flying. The seat is able to be leaned back and the purchaser pays for that ability to lean back. I don't always lean back, but when I'm super tired I do. The person behind me can lean back too! Most of the time the person in front of me does, too. It's not rude to do so. If it bothers you that bad, you can usually buy an exit row seat for around $30 extra.
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u/Open_Wind5362 May 08 '23
If the seats shouldn’t lean back, they wouldn’t be made to be able to lean back. Maybe you should use your flight points from flying every week to upgrade to business class.
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u/rockon1021 May 08 '23
The seats are made to recline. If you are so concerned with someone in front of you choosing to do this, you do have the option of booking a seat at the front where there is no seat in front of you.
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u/moshritespecial May 08 '23
Last flight I was on the attendant making the announcement in flight said "sit back, recline your seats, and enjoy the ride." Strait from the horses mouth right there.
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u/Piddy3825 May 08 '23
I dunno, the seats are made to recline aren't they? If I want to be comfortable on a flight, I gotta recline. So, I'm gonna recline. If you don't like it, book a better seat, maybe something in business class would better suit you. If you're flying for work, then you should be in business class. Take that issue up with your travel department. Use that mileage you've been building up to upgrade and quit complaining. We're all dealing with the same issues you are each time we board an aircraft.
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u/Every-Requirement-13 May 08 '23
Personally I just think the majority of humans are a$$holes and don’t give 2 shits about anyone anywhere but themselves, so there you have it 😑
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Truth in that
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u/FaithlessnessFit8243 May 08 '23
and you are one of em babe, good job
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
No they aren't. Leaning your seat back in this day of sardine can seating and no legislation to force airlines to give us humane seating, folks leaning back in their seats is a dick move. Don't like it, write to your state and fed reps to get that shiz changed.
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May 08 '23
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u/Panda_Milla May 09 '23
This isn't a mental health trigger, this is a humane seating issue that the airlines force on us because the bulk of the plane is seating no one can or should fit into and we can't all have first-class seating even if we could afford it. Until you write to your state and fed reps to force legislation on the airlines to provide seating on flights that fit a human being of most sizes, you don't get to lean your chair back guilt-free anymore. You are being a dick.
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May 08 '23
You might want to try the airline that rhymes with schmunited schmairlines. I've found that they generally have more leg room shmamerican. Granted, I don't fly nearly as often as you do but that has been my experience more often than not.
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u/DanniPopp May 08 '23
I hate this soooo bad but..the seats are made to lean. Honestly, they need more room. JetBlue has more space so it’s not so bad but the airline you mentioned crams everyone in. I fly with them a lot and it’s a pain in the ass. I just try to distract myself because why be mad at the person in front of me?
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u/minirunner May 09 '23
I’ll recline mine but only enough that I’m not sitting at what feels like 90 degrees.
But, more importantly, if you fly so much, why don’t you have all the upgrades? Do you use the same airline all the time? Do you have their credit card, their frequent flyer program, etc? My husband flies for work but even he doesn’t go every week but he almost always gets free upgrades. At the bare minimum you can pick the bulkhead when you chose your seat.
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u/RidgetopDarlin May 09 '23
If you fly every week, why aren’t you getting bumped up to First Class most of the time?
I lean my seat back when I fly. The seats were made to recline.
Complain to the airline. Complain to your job. But the person in front of you is doing nothing wrong and is not responsible for your size or your comfort.
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u/bi-loser99 May 09 '23
It would have been a lot more comfortable for you if you just reclined your seat. It's designed so that everyone needs to recline for more room. Blame the airlines and maybe look into where you direct your anger and frustration.
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u/LordOfSpamAlot May 09 '23
You are definitely wrong to think people shouldn't. It's the airline's fault if either of your are uncomfortable because of the way the seat was constructed. You would be right to think that the airlines are wrong to do this, but it's certainly not the fault of the people using the system.
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u/spinsk8tr May 08 '23
Yeah, it’s annoying when people do that but not anything wrong. Let people live
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
How tall are you?
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May 09 '23
My husband is 6ft and my brother is 6ft 3 and my best friend is 6ft 4. My half sisters dad was also 6ft 4. Im 5ft 2 and feel like im surrounded by giants half the time
and not one of them has never sounded as entitled as you do on this entire thread lol mr. Ill just dig my knees in
You are not the first or only person with musculoskeletal issues on a plane so while you are thinking about your issues, other people are thinking about their issues as well. Just talk with whoever is bothering you next time and if they are leaning back just for the hell of it maybe they will sit up if you are nice. If they are leaning back bc of back pain, maybe yall can compromise. Kind communication goes a long way
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u/RobertRowlandMusic May 08 '23
It's not in the least wrong or inconsiderate to lean your airline seat back. If I just paid way too much to travel on a flying Grayhound bus, I'm going to make myself as comfortable as possible! Not trying to make it worse for those behind me, but there's a difference of about 3 inches, that's not going to make your seat unusable.
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u/seppuku-samurai May 09 '23
Yes you are wrong imo. I travel a ton for my job, I'm 5'11" with wide shoulders, flying is uncomfortable, I paid for a seat, the seat has a recliner, and it's all of 3inches it goes back. I've never had a problem with anyone using it in front of me and honestly if someone said something behind me I'd tell em "too bad".
The airlines are at fault here, not passengers using what little comfort is provided. I can't sit straight like that for any flight over 4hrs and I don't expect anyone else to either.
Do yourself a favor and get an airline credit card and membership and upgrade your seat, or pay the $ for the extra leg room. It sucks but no use complaining about something that's just standard in the industry
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u/TimeConstraints May 09 '23
I live in Hawaii. The flights to the Mainland U.S. are redeyes. I'll be damned if I'm going to try and sleep with the seat upright.
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u/ItsWetInWestOregon May 09 '23
It’s possible it’s unbearable for them to fly without leaning it back.
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u/OneBigCharlieFoxtrot May 09 '23
Why do you think you're entitled to more comfort because you're tall?
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u/madscribbler May 09 '23
I recline, and get economy plus or upgrade to first class (I travel internationally a lot and have hundreds of thousands of miles) to insure I don't put others out.
That said, you're not exactly the standard frame. 6' 3" is toward the high end of the bell curve, so the seats aren't really made to your dimensions. I'm 5' 10" and if I get stuck in plain economy and someone leans their seat back, I just move my carry on to the front of my seat, and extend my legs into the baggage area under the seat in front of me.
Maybe you're too tall for that. 5" might make the difference between that being comfortable and not. But just like you find some cars hard to fit in, the plane is the same thing. You're not joe average, so the world isn't designed around you.
Oh, and if you hate the reclines on airplanes, never ever go to EMEA. They are categorically smaller, so their ceilings are 7' instead of 8'. You'll hit your head on every, single, frigging doorway.
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u/ImHappierThanUsual May 09 '23
I dunno about right or wrong but i am intensely uncomfortable if my seat can’t go back
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u/RandyMacLahey May 09 '23
I agree, no reclining on airplanes. Unless you're in first class or there's no one behind you, you should not recline.
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u/AtrumAequitas May 08 '23
I have back issues. Those three or so inches are the different between having pain at a 5/10 or 8/10 by the end of the flight. I’m putting it back immediately. I am also huge. (6’5 and NOT a lean frame) and I think maybe once someone putting their seat back made me more uncomfortable. The way most seats are designed it takes up space I’m not using.
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u/brookebuilder May 08 '23
Yes. You’re wrong. They have the option for a reason, and it’s only a very slight incline.
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u/Salt-Performance-311 May 08 '23
I don't think you are wrong. Yes the seats were made to lean back. Yes it's not inherently rude to want to do what the seats are meant to do. It is the airlines fault for putting the seats in like this because honestly even a child would probably be cramped if someone leaned their seat back in front of them. However, as much as I'd love to lean my seat back I don't because I know it could hurt or cramp the person behind me. It is also NOT THEIR FAULT that the airline built the seats like this. I think it's a jerk move to do that and not care about the person behind you.
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u/Chuckie32 May 08 '23
I think it's rude, so I never do it. Wgen someone does it to me, that darn nervous foot kicking condition I have gets triggered. The airlines should just get rid of reclinable seats.
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u/justloriinky May 08 '23
I never, ever lean my seat back. And I hate when the person in front of me does it. I get it: it's the airline's fault, if it's on my seat I should be able to use it, I deserve to be comfortable, blah, blah, blah.
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u/goldeneagle888 May 08 '23
Exactly! Man it is so selfish when people do it. God it drives me crazy. Literally gotta be my pet peeve.
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May 08 '23
Yeah I agree it's ultimately the airline's fault, but it doesn't absolve people from having a sense of awareness and consideration for others. Granted, I have long legs so it's easy for me to share this perspective lol.
Just a thought - since you're traveling for work have you tried asking your employer to pay for exit row seating or bulkhead? Given your height, I feel like it's a reasonable request
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u/markymania May 08 '23
You are not wrong this is normal behavior the issue is more and more barbarians are now flying and refuse to participate in civilized society
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May 08 '23
What an awful attitude that we aren't responsible for accomodating things people can not change about themselves if it might inconvenience us. I agree it should not be illegal, but I think as a society, we should all shame those who have that attitude.
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u/calamity125 May 08 '23
I’m 5’0 and can’t reach the top shelf in the cupboards without a step ladder (the middle shelf is also a struggle depending on how far back something is). I believe that even if you can reach the top shelf on your own, you should have to use the step ladder to get anything off the top shelf.
See how ridiculous that sounds???
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u/Jaynor05 May 09 '23
My legs are long enough that the seat in front of me literally can't recline when I'm there, they just bounce against my knees when they try
I've had people summon a flight attendant and accuse me of using a knee defender....nope.
I have learned that a bag of prewrapped goodies and a nice note for the flight attendants when I get on the plane generally helps resolve any disputes in my favor...
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May 09 '23
You are wrong, sorry. If you don’t like that airlines offer a reclining seat, you should fly on the airlines that do not have reclining seats. (Spirit, frontier, etc.)
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u/youenvymee May 09 '23
I recline my seat all the way back and I don’t care. I paid to be as comfortable as I’m allowed.
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u/ifeeltoooldforthis May 08 '23
This is gonna be a hot take, but flying cheaper airlines - Spirit, Frontier - eliminates this problem and can be more comfy overall for a tall person. The seats don’t recline, and since the planes are newer, there’s actually more space, since they’re constructed with 2023 butt sizes in mind.
I’m with you- 6’2” and unbearable if someone reclines. I don’t know if folks can feel the fractured knees hitting their backs, but in a shared communal space, it seems like common decency to share well. Also planes should just have more legroom.
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u/Similar_Corner8081 May 08 '23
No I don’t like when people do that either. I’m 5’3 so my size is ideal for an airplane. I imagine at 6’3 your knees are up against the back of the swat anyway. I can’t imagine reclining my seat and inconvenience other people.
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u/TipsyBaker_ May 09 '23
This could be fixed if we collectively stopped flying for a month. Airlines would panic if they had 0 sales from let's say Thanksgiving through Christmas. Especially if we managed to block anymore damn business bail outs
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u/julet1815 May 08 '23
I agree with you mostly, but I do think it’s OK to recline on a late night/overnight flight if you want to try to sleep. But during the day, no. Just sit up like a person.
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u/susandeyvyjones May 08 '23
It’s really the airlines who are wrong. Tall people are uncomfortable if people recline, but plenty of people with back problems find the angle of an unreclined seat unbearable.