Put your seat back or no?

Submitted ⁨⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨MrNesser@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨[deleted]⁩

I was on a international flight recently that spanned about 11 hours in the day and the person in front kept putting thier chair back.

Now I know people want to relax but i’m using the screen in the chair and i’m hoping the inflight meal will at least be passable enough to digest.

So on a long haul flight that happens in the day would you put your chair back?

Would you keep trying to put it back every hour (i havent moved chairs). even though you have been asked not to?

now by the cabin crew btw

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Comments

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ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
most chairs allow the tray to be upright while the seat is reclined. if the seat wasn’t meant to be reclined, it wouldn’t be able to be reclined. demanding that someone else not perform an action that is permitted to them because you feel that is it is more convenient to you is…well… I’ll let you figure that one out

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- MrNesser@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  its really uncomftable fro 11 hours if they do that
  
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  - ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    🤷 I’ve been on longer flights many times and never had an issue with it.
    
    but we do live in a capitalist society, so perhaps you could pay them to not make use of their own chairs. Yes, I am drinking and am bring a smart ass.
    
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  - JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Put your seat back, you’ll get more room.
    
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  - ieGod@lemmy.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Then pay for a better seat.
    
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- CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  demanding that someone else not perform an action that is permitted to them because you feel that is it is more convenient to you is…well… I’ll let you figure that one out
  
  So if you’ve been waiting in line for something for an hour and I just show up and cut in front of you, you’d be fine with that since there’s no rule or law saying I can’t?
  
  The two of us are in a small elevator and I rip a huge wet fart just as the doors are closing and its all good, right?
  
  This logic is so often used to justify bad behavior. A perfect example is the far-right spreading hate and racism because “free speech.” They make the exact same argument that you’re making right now.
  
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  - ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    we’re talking about sitting in a seat, right? 😂
    
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- AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Personally I see it like …. As a bigger guy, I can easily shove my way through a crowd so I’m not delayed demanding that I not perform that action because it is more convenient for you not to be pushed to the ground is … well … yes, I do feel like it is a good analogy. In both cases an entitled person is physically infringing on close personal space to cause pain and make someone else less comfortable, and potentially damage their devices. The difference is that one of these actions has entitled people thinking it’s ok
  
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paper_moon@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
PSA for anyone using a laptop during flights, the tray tables do not change angle or height when the person in front of you puts their seat all the way back. I almost had someone break my laptop screen a few years ago because the top of my screen got caught under the exposed edges where my tray table would fold up into, as rhe seat back came angling down towards my tray table. I was quick enough to be able to pull my laptop towards me and remove the screen before the full force was applied to the screen housing.

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- emmanuel_car@k.fe.derate.me ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Yep same thing happened to me. I don’t know how I managed the quick reflexes after 17hrs London to Perth, but I guess not wanting my laptop to break trumps jet lag.
  
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CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
During cabin service which usually is the beginning and end of the flight, I’ll have it up. But it’s reclined while I’m watching the screen or sleeping. Person behind me can adjust, much like I adjust.

It’s a part of the plane. We all know the seat pitch is tight. We all know that the recline feature is there. If it bothers you, fly first class.

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- unmagical@lemmy.ml ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  If it bothers you [pay about five times as much].
  
  That’s a very grounded and reasonable take.
  
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  - MrNesser@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    In this particular case I did pay extra for a decent seat (work paid i added some extra)
    
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- dhork@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  The way I look at it, it’s a shared resource. You are just as “entitled” to the space as the person behind you.
  
  If I need the space, I will try and use it. But, I will move back slowly, and stop if I meet any resistance. There is nothing worse than having someone slam their seat back into your laptop (or worse, onto your knees…)
  
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  - CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    That’s a fair approach, and I was recently on a plane with someone who was all legs and over 6’ (Denmark, wow) and I would have negotiated the situation in that case - but I’d argue they should get priority on the bulkheads or emergency row with nobody in front.
    
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  - Username@lemmy.nz ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    The only way I have ever been able to sleep on a plane is to put my head on the tray table in front…I can tell you that having someone slam their seat back into your head is worse! I really wish people would just take a quick look behind them before moving their seat back :(
    
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- flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Is it just me or does this come off as entitled and rude?
  
  I bring it up 'cos you’re forcing your choices onto the person behind you… But you’ve probably got the decency to ask first or some polite way to deal with?
  
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  - CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    As someone who’s 6’3, I do find it entitled and rude. When people in front of me do this, it crushes my knees, so I repay the favor by constantly shifting my legs and pushing back into their seat. If I need to use the bathroom, I may also grab and pull hard on their headrest as leverage when standing up. If you want to recline and lounge on a plane then you should pay extra for first class. I just want the space provided for me and nothing more. I personally think they should remove the recline feature if they’re going to pack us in like sardines.
    
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- AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  So, just like you adjust to more room and comfort, the person behind you should adjust to less room, less comfort for your entitlement? Do you really see them the same?
  
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Nemo@slrpnk.net ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Flights are for sleeping, friend. I personally don’t see any benefit from reclining my seat so I don’t, but you should understand: reclined IS the default.

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K1nsey6@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
If I want to recline I’m reclining. My comfort shouldn’t be impeded because it might inconvenience the person in back of me.

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- fonix232@fedia.io ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  With the same attitude the person behind you can rightfully kick off and demand you sit back up, because why should THEIR comfort be impeded by your inconvenience of not being able to lay back?
  
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  - K1nsey6@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    The space that my seat back occupies is not their space, that is mine.
    
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- Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Ok, Boomer.
  
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  - K1nsey6@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    No boomer just someone that’s gonna use the features they paid for. If you don’t like the possibility of someone reclining buy a cabin seat with better seat pitch
    
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cattywampas@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I never put my seat back. I think they should take that feature out of airplane seats entirely.

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- Beacon@fedia.io ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Agreed, each person should have their own space that no other passenger can alter. If you want to recline it should be within your own space. For example the seat butt should slide forward, or you should get an angled pillow to put behind your back. Or alternatively all seats should be reclined 100% of the time and you should get an up-slanted pillow for your back so you can sit upright.
  
  However it's done, everyone should have the exact same amount of space that no one else can alter
  
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  - AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    
    all seats should be reclined 100% of the time and you should get an up-slanted pillow for your back so you can sit upright.
    
    Replace ‘extra pillow’ with ‘chair back that can be raised’ and guess what, you’ve got the current situation.
    
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- MrNesser@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  i dont mind it for night flights - the entire plane goes back so you dont notice the difference
  
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- CallMeAl@piefed.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  More and more airlines actually are, especially on shorter flights. And the price still is going up!
  
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dkppunk@piefed.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I put the seat back every single time I am on a flight. I have back issues and I get back pain if I sit upright like that for too long. If the flight attendants are asking to not put a seat back because the person behind me, then I’m going to ask for a new seat because sitting upright for 11 hours is agony.

Sorry to the tall folks and whatnot, but I’m not flying somewhere just to be stuck in bed for 2 days unable to move because of back pain.

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- emmanuel_car@k.fe.derate.me ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  I’m a tall person and, when I can’t get extra leg room, I don’t have an issue with the person in front of me reclining their seat. I do the same if the flight is longer than maybe 2 or 3 hours for the same reason, it’s more comfortable and I can stretch my body in different ways so I’m actually able to walk off the plane.
  
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  - dkppunk@piefed.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Yeah, I mean I do feel kind of bad because I’ve flown long enough to see how much smaller the space has gotten. But physical pain overrides any guilt I feel and I will recline the seat.
    
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Bougie_Birdie@piefed.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
If the cabin crew tells you not to put your seat back, then don’t put your seat back

You don’t want to be kicked out mid-flight

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- Beacon@fedia.io ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  The crew didn't ask him not to, OP asked him not to
  
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  - Bougie_Birdie@piefed.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    I’m actually guilty of skipping to the end of the post, but it looks like maybe you didn’t make it that far.
    
    The point still stands though: if one does not want to be ejected from the plane, one ought to listen to the directions of the cabin crew.
    
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unmagical@lemmy.ml ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I’m 6’4" (193cm). The seat in front of me reclining means my knees are pressed into the seat back, and that’s uncomfortable for both of us. I don’t want to do that to anyone else so I never put my seat back.

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- CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Same. If the person in front of me puts their seat back, I’m going to ensure that it doesn’t bring them any extra comfort. I’m not typically a confrontational person but airport security and being treated like cattle usually puts me on edge.
  
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DJKJuicy@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
There is no etiquette. That’s a flawed argument.

The seats are designed the way they are by the airlines. They allow the minimum amount of space for the maximum amount of money.

The airlines could make all seats non-reclining with very little effort. But they would lose money because non-reclining seats would be a dealbreaker to a small but not insignificant number of customers…me for one.

The airlines could also make seats more comfortable and reclinable by allowing more space for each seat. But they would lose money because they would sell less seats.

The seats recline the small amount they do because of the natural equilibrium that the market allows between comfort and profit. End of story.

You peasants arguing about which other peasant is a terrible person are blaming the wrong people.

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SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
The problem is not the reclining seats, it’s that we are now packed like cattle.

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inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Complaining about someone using a seat as designed feels entitled to me. Sorry. I’ve always so confused how some people consider it encroaching. Sure it’s all shared space, but that means you are sharing it with others. Reclining inherently uses that chairs fair space.

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Janx@piefed.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
What are you, insane? It’s their seat, doesn’t affect your tray table at all, and reclines, at most 15°. Grow up…

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- MrNesser@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  It does affect the tray table
  
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- Aetherial@nord.pub ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  If you’re saying you’re flexible enough to squeeze into your seat while that 15° is fully used, happy for you. Not everyone is an acrobat nor interested in accommodating slouchers.
  
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Bromeliadventures@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
They paid for a seat, they can use it as they wish within its designed and permitted capabilities. You don’t know what time zone they’ve come from or where they’re going, when they sleep is their business. You don’t know what back/ physical issues they may have. If you don’t want to sit behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities don’t buy a ticket that sits you behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate what others should do because you don’t like your own life choices.

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SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Doesn’t bother me if they recline - on an Airbus the seat base pivots so you get more knee room.

Related things that do annoy me - people dropping the seat back with a lot of force (why not recline gently so the person behind can adjust their stuff?), and people kicking the back of my seat.

A 12 hour flight is often going to involve a change in timezone, so I usually get some sleep, and for that I want my seat reclined … plus keeping in one position for that amount of time is uncomfortable for my joints and backside.

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Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I’ve never even tried to learn how to put the seats back, because it just seems rude to me. I wouldn’t want the person in front of me doing that, so I don’t do it to anyone else.

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neidu3@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I always keep mine back, except during meals and when it’s not allowed. It’s better for my back this way.

Some basic etiquette: Recline carefully - there are people with stuff behind you.

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AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
No. Should not be allowed. For some reason airlines have been allowed to narrow that space more and more to the point where it’s just not reasonable to use. You are infringing on the person behind you. Sure it’s mainly the airlines fault, and the government regulators that are supposed to serve the people, but don’t be an asshole about basic human courtesy

for those of us on the taller side, you reclining can be painful on the knees. How is it any different than me walking by punching your shoulder. Should I do that? Not ok

for those of us on the taller side, if you recline, we may no longer easily see the whole screen

Even short people no longer have room for a laptop and reclining means you quite likely damage it. That’s not ok

While the trays are supposedly independent, if reclining, they aren’t entirely. You reclining will bump the tray and potentially spill a drink. Not ok. On some aircraft the recline will partly crush a tall cup or can on the back of the tray or knock it over. Not ok

those of us on the bigger side may no longer even fit a standard paperback. Now you’re not even letting me read because you feel entitled?

As someone both big and tall, I have had people in front of me recline so my normal breathing is in their hair. I have to admit to playing that up. My edgy revenge fantasy is to rest my novel on top of their head because it literally would be easier to read than in front of me
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boaratio@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Never.

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yesman@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
There are products that attach to the seat in front of you to prevent the person from reclining.

It is ethical, noble, and honest to use this.

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- AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Very tempting, but I’ll take the knee pain preventing them from reclining, since there’s nothing I can do about it
  
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- MrNesser@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Do tell?
  
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Tedesche@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I never put my seat back and consider it rude when other people do it. There was even one instance in which I made a stink I demanded the person in front of me put their seat back up (thankfully, they complied).

As others have pointed out, this is a situation created by the airlines and their shitty business models.

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skankhunt42@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I’d probably offer to trade seats with you if the person in front of me didn’t lay back. If not, I’d try to find a happy medium where I could lay back and you’d be okay. There’s no way I’m sitting up the entire flight.

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HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I don’t usually, but I get the window seat to give me sometime to lie against.

The rule is that, unless you’re in a first class seat that can impact the person behind you, you can recline.

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Aetherial@nord.pub ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
It’s always funny to me when people complain about others restricting their slouching on a flight. The way j get around this is to get up every 30-45 minutes and stretch, take a little jaunt around the aisles and if I’m not grossed out by the first peep at the lavatory, take care of business, since I’m sipping on water the entire flight to combat jet lag. I must be in a hidden third category that doesn’t care too much about reclining my seat. If others recline, that’s okay because they’ll quickly learn that every half hour or so, they’re gonna have to push that seat upwards so I can get in and out. And if they don’t, they can explain why to the attendant I’ll be grabbing shortly.

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