The ethical question — to recline, or not to recline — has been around since airlines introduced coach seats.
Since that time, fliers have been divided on this issue. Some opt to spare their fellow passenger the discomfort of having to sit in the fetal position, and others, I can only assume, think they are the only person on the plane.
While it’s always been a point of contention for fliers, in recent weeks, the conflict seems to have reached its boiling point for over-stressed fliers. Three flights, in the last few weeks, were forced to make unscheduled stops due to seat-reclining disputes.
It may be time for an intervention.
While my previous comments may give away what side of this debate I fall on, seat-recliners, I understand that you have every right to kick your seat back. However, please allow me to make just a few suggestions in the interest of lessening the tension between yourselves and the passengers behind you:
- Ask — Okay, there’s a chance that this could backfire. We’ve all met more than our fair share of crabby fliers. However, you can take comfort in the fact that you did the right thing…as you slowly recline your chair into their space, while hoping they don’t notice.
- Do not slam your seat back — I know, you’re in a hurry to make yourself marginally more comfortable, but try to remember that the person behind you most likely has kneecaps that they’d like to keep intact, not to mention a laptop, beverage, or possibly a small child on their lap.
- Consider not reclining — It’s a crazy idea, but consider for a second just how much more comfortable you are when you recline your seat. If you’re being honest, then you know it’s not that comfortable. Now consider how uncomfortable it would be to have your complimentary copy of “Sky Mall” jammed into your knees for the entirety of a 3+ hour flight.
Now for all of you non-recliners — be kind. I know it’s hard to remember after being herded through security, and then crammed into a plane, but your fellow fliers are people, too. They also have a right to lean their seat back, so try and be nice when you politely ask them to inch their seat up just a little so that you can regain blood flow to your lower extremities.
It may be hard in the moment, but at least you won’t regret it the next day when you’ve become the latest face of this divisive issue.
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More on the Story: CNN
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