Is it okay to move your seat all the way back in an airplane?

Question

I believe that it is inconsiderate to move your seat back in an airplane without looking behind you first. In my case, I am 6' 1" and can barely sit straight without having to move my knees sideways. Also, when someone throws their seat back all the way, any tray space I had is almost complete gone. It's certainly impossible to do work on my laptop.

I fly twice a week and this happens at least one of those two times.

This isn't about other options (pay extra for more leg room or first class, take a train, amputate my legs, etc.); I think it's just about consideration.

So my real question is -- shouldn't it be common courtesy to look before you recline, or am I asking too much?

Answer 1

I do look before I recline, and then I recline, slowly so that the person has a chance to move out of the way. Actually, I don't recline at all unless the person in front of me does it first. Then I have no choice but to do it too. The seatbacks go down like a row of dominos...

Answer 2

That's a good question, it's nice that you're considerate of the person behind you, it's too bad most people aren't. It's usually the person in front of you that's the first person to recline their seat all the way back the second the seat belt sign goes off. On long haul flights pretty much everyone does it, which is ok because you still maintain what little space there is between the seats. But on domestic flights, I guess you need to play it by ear, if the person in front of you does it, it leaves you little choice, and maybe you don't need to recline your seat all the way back, but it never hurts to have a quick look back before you shove that tray table into the face of the person behind you. They make the seats the way they do for a reason, and sometimes you gotta do what have have to do.

Answer 3

Sorry to say it but yea you are asking too much, unfortunatly common courtesy has gone the way of the Dodo and that is a sad thing. I'm like you I always check out who is behind me before reclining my seat I've had my laptop jammed into me by the jerk in the seat ahead, What I try to do is always get an asile seat and I always check out the link below for the best seats. When you get to the counter ask for an exit row they will usually tell you that you have to ask at the gate, ask at the gate. I always try to prebook my seats, my company is really good about it and will pay the extra few dollars and I always ask for an exit row.

Answer 4

I tend not to recline my seat all the way, especially if I can see that someone behind me is using a laptop or otherwise utilizing the tray table in some way. I might recline a small bit, but I couldn't be comfortable in a fully reclined airplane seat anyway.

Answer 5

If the air lines had made the seats thoes sizes and gave them then ability to lay back that far then it is up to the person how much of the given room they choose to use. Courtisy has nothing to do with it. If you are given a certain amount of room to move, then you can use none or all of it. Usually I have a small child behind me yelling, screaming and throwing stuff the entire trip. I find that more anoying than someone tall such as yourself leaning the seat back. If you do want more room then maybe you should consider the other options like first class. I dont see why you are asking for consideration when someone is not overstepping their bounds. I do however understand that this is anoying to you but do you expect a stranger to be uncomfortable so that you can work on your lap top? Good luck.

Answer 6

I think and I know that I always look and if anyone is sitting behind me I dont put my seat back not even on international flights because I'm tall and I sometimes have a problem with leg room and I hate it when i get my legs struck and pinched when people put there seat back.

Answer 7

I agree it really is hard for someone of your height to fly with the people in front of you pushing the seat back.... I would suggest that when booking your flight trying to get your seat in the emergency exit row as there is more leg room in that aisle. Just a suggestion.

Answer 8

What you have heard is thoroughly incorrect. In a typical airliner, the air contained in the cabin is a 50/50 mix of unpolluted outdoors air and filtered air recirculated in the cabin. The filters are medical institution-grade filters that do away with germs. the reason sparkling outdoors air is mixed with interior air, instead of merely employing a hundred% outdoors air, is that outdoors air is very dry and chilly, and employing a hundred% outdoors air places extra of a load on the engines, which makes use of extra gasoline. ordinary, there is not something approximately air interior an airplane that makes it dirtier than it may be in the airport, in an place of work, or in a house.

Answer 9

The general public does not follow the golden rule, do unto others...I absolutely had to put my seat back all the way the last time I flew. The gentleman behind me kept shoving his knee into the back of my chair in different positions...then would leave it there stuck in my back. When he finally removed it for a second...I hurriedly pushed the seat back to prevent him doing this anymore...it worked just for an FYI! So much for me not putting it back to begin with to be considerate! I say, it's everyone for themselves when it comes to public transportation. Sometimes you have to just do what you must to make yourself comfortable. Oh, and by the way...the seat back should not affect your leg room at all and your height has nothing to do with your lap top being shoved toward you. I've been in a cramped plane before...and the seat backs aren't a problem at all for me and wouldn't be unless I had **** the size of weiner dogs.

Answer 10

I never put my seat back if there is some one sitting behind me because I think its rude to make others uncomfortable.