# Seat rage in planes. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 25, 2015, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927 "2015-03-25T07:35:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/21 "2015-03-25T13:49:38Z")
Flew first class once. A gift from my wife. Absurdly expensive. Those folks suggesting that as an always alternative have a disconnect with reality. Stretch seating though, that’s the ticket, if you can get it before it sells out. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/22 "2015-03-25T13:53:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve heard these complaints about people who recline their airline seats and I just don’t get it. I fly a couple of times each year and I’ve paid attention to what happens when someone reclines. > > In coach class, where I usually fly, the top of the seatback moves by maybe four inches, while the part closer to the seat doesn’t move at all. So the seatback interferes only very slightly with the person behind the recliner, while there’s no apparent interference with the meal tray or knee space of the person in behind. It’s not as if you, the person behind the recliner, suddenly has him or her in your lap. How tall are you? Not my experience at all. Yes, the top moves only about 4 inches, but when you are already cramped and crowded, it matters. And the bottom, while it does not move as much, certainly moves. What they should do is have the top stay where it is, and have the bottom scoot forward. Or split the difference. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/23 "2015-03-25T14:04:11Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > I think I’ll just keep on asking the person in front of me not to recline their seat rather than quit travelling, though. :rolleyes: I do not recline my seat, nor would I ever consider asking someone not to recline theirs. I’m curious, though; what response do you get? Have you ever been told to fuck off? ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/24 "2015-03-25T14:05:30Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Flew first class once. A gift from my wife. Absurdly expensive. Those folks suggesting that as an always alternative have a disconnect with reality. > > Stretch seating though, that’s the ticket, if you can get it before it sells out. I usually buy a coach/economy ticket, then go online the day before and buy a first class upgrade if it’s available. I get the upgrade at least 75% of the time ( YMMV, this is based on the airlines and routes I usually fly ). The cost of the upgrade usually is between $90 and $250 per flight, depending on the length of the flight and that is usually offset a bit because you get at least one free checked bag with the first class ticket. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/25 "2015-03-25T14:13:04Z")
Your complaint is with the airline. Feel free to take it up with them. The passenger in front of you bought a reclining seat and needn’t ask your permission to use it. More importantly you knew you were buying a ticket on a plane with a reclining seat in front of you. Hence you can have no complaint with passenger in front of you, who chooses to recline their seat. Your being tall shouldn’t determine how I get to use my seat, sorry. (Are you willing to not use scented shampoo, deodorant because a highly allergic person could end up sitting beside you? They could be uncomfortable the whole journey, after all. Or is it their problem, that you don’t really feel a need to accommodate? Or is your attitude, “If they’re that delicate they need to find a different way to travel!” Or, perhaps, “They knew there could be scents on the plane when they bought their ticket!”) ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/26 "2015-03-25T14:26:45Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > It doesn’t bother me nearly as much as people who use “u” rather than “you”. I’m 6’6", most of which is leg, and I endorse this post wholeheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/27 "2015-03-25T14:35:13Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Your complaint is with the airline. Feel free to take it up with them. I do. > [@](#): > > The passenger in front of you bought a reclining seat and needn’t ask your permission to use it. I don’t think they should either. > [@](#): > > More importantly you knew you were buying a ticket on a plane with a reclining seat in front of you. Hence you can have no complaint with passenger in front of you, who chooses to recline their seat. I have absolutely no complaint. I’m only too happy for my fellow passengers to make themselves as comfortable as they possibly can, in what is usually a wholly inadequate seat for a long-haul flight. > [@](#): > > Your being tall shouldn’t determine how I get to use my seat, sorry. I don’t think that either. You can do whatever you like in your seat. I’m just trying to promote the idea that if you are going to put your seat back, you could maybe just let the person behind you know, so that if they are particularly long-legged they can make a few adjustments first. If you don’t want to though, that’s fine too, don’t be sorry. > [@](#): > > (Are you willing to not use scented shampoo, deodorant because a highly allergic person could end up sitting beside you? They could be uncomfortable the whole journey, after all. Or is it their problem, that you don’t really feel a need to accommodate? Or is your attitude, “If they’re that delicate they need to find a different way to travel!” Or, perhaps, “They knew there could be scents on the plane when they bought their ticket!”) Well on one flight back from India I’d had a tandoori lobster with garlic naan the night before, and I reeked of garlic. I warned the woman sitting next to me and apologised. That broke the ice and we got chatting, and we ended up going on a few nice dates back in the UK. I’ve no idea what relevance that has, but I’m laying on my bed trying to pass a kidney stone, so anything to pass the time. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/28 "2015-03-25T14:47:49Z")
(Ouch! Sorry about the kidney stone! Feel better!) ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/29 "2015-03-25T14:53:37Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Or if not at the same time, maybe as a wave or else patterned like synchronized dancers? Let’s remain sober here. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/30 "2015-03-25T14:54:01Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > (Ouch! Sorry about the kidney stone! Feel better!) It’s a bitch ☹ I’d rather try and pass it though than go through the op I had to get the last one out. You know how they go in for it, right? :eek: Oh, and back to the topic at hand… don’t get me started on what people do with their elbows, elbows. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/31 "2015-03-25T14:57:06Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > Let’s remain sober here. Hmm. I do not fear flying, but it is an uncomfortable ordeal. I fly a couple of times a year, and I don’t think I’ve _ever_ flown sober. ETA: **tapu** : I’m in western Pennsylvania. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/32 "2015-03-25T15:02:27Z")
Airlines ought to look into the whole reclining seat thing. Would passengers prefer immobile seats all round? They’re always screwing with seat design and space – not having the reclining feature may open up more efficient design. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/33 "2015-03-25T15:18:23Z")
I think one of the low-cost carriers, either Spirit Airlines or Ryanair, introduced fixed seats. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/34 "2015-03-25T15:25:37Z")
I don’t object to reclining seats, or people using them… as I said upthread, why the hell wouldn’t you? And as someone else pointed out, it doesn’t really make a HUGE difference to most people, although for the vertically well-endowed it can make a few minor differences, like making it that bit more difficult to reach down and get something from under the seat in front of you, which is why it would be nice to know if the seat’s going back; I can make sure I get my shit out from under it first. Still, even that’s not worth getting upset about; I can work round it. I think the genuine ire should be saved for the airlines that have given us shitty allowances in the first place. It’s a competitive market though I guess, and it’s called “economy” class (or whatever fancy term they gussy it up with) for a reason, so selling 'em cheap and packing 'em in is the priority. Anyway, as long as they don’ t cut corners on maintenance and safety I suppose. I don’t expect my partner and her fellow passengers on the Germanwings flight from Munich to Nuremberg this morning were thinking too much about seat rake angle in light of yesterday’s tragedy ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/35 "2015-03-25T15:42:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I do not recline my seat, nor would I ever consider asking someone not to recline theirs. I’m curious, though; what response do you get? Have you ever been told to fuck off? Not yet, and to clarify I don’t ask them beforehand but would tell them to please mind my knees if they did (or maybe “AAAAAAAAARGH!”, depending on how much force they were using). People don’t seem to recline their seats all that often on the few flights I’ve been lately, anyways. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/36 "2015-03-25T16:19:56Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > It would work if everyone would recline at the same time, and sit up at the same time. You’ve obviously never sat in the last row. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/37 "2015-03-25T16:22:08Z")
> [@Caneknife](#): > > Do u get pissed off when the person in front of u puts there chair back after seatbelt light goes off in a plane I do not. “Back” is the default position of the seats. Forward is a temporary state for takeoff and landing. Roomier seats are available for purchase if I want them. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/38 "2015-03-25T16:25:18Z")
> [@Caneknife](#): > > Do u get pissed off when the person in front of u puts there chair back after seatbelt light goes off in a plane, It turns me into the Incredible Hulk, I hate it, does it annoy u, No, but people who use “u” instead of “you.” make me stabby… ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/39 "2015-03-25T16:27:40Z")
Reclining airline seats fall under the category of “Things you CAN do but it doesn’t mean you SHOULD do”. There’s an argument to be made for “But it can do go back and it’s my seat so…” but I’ll still figure you’re an inconsiderate jackass and I don’t recline my seat in order to not be an inconsiderate jackass to the soul behind me. Even though I could. I figure we’re all in it together so self-righteous claims to seat ownership don’t make the trip easier on anyone except the guy self-righteously reclining his seat. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927/40 "2015-03-25T16:38:19Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > I’m 6’6" and I can’t simply suck it up since there’s no room to do so. First class tickets are ridiculously expensive and land-based travel methods aren’t an option. I think I’ll just keep on asking the person in front of me not to recline their seat rather than quit travelling, though. :rolleyes: I only recline when the guy in front of me reclines. So, if you ask me to unrecline, your going to have to get the guy in front of him to unrecline and so on. I’ve pointed out in other threads that tall people make [789 dollars](http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/standing.aspx) more per year per inch above 5’6". So, at 6’6" you are earning almost 10K more per year simply because you’re tall. If you suck up the cost of a first class seat every once in awhile, you’re still coming out ahead for the year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-rage-in-planes/715927.md?page=3)