That is the question, whether it is nobler to sit upright through an entire flight or suffer the slings and arrows of pushing your seat all the way back. Where do you sit in this debate?
I'm definitely in the do not recline camp. Either fix the seat back permanently in the upright position, or give each seat more room to roam. My last flight was on a smaller Airbus, with minimalist seats that created more space. Great, right? Until the 12 year old in front of me slammed his seatback into my face while watching videos as his Dad sat in silence beside him, and I practiced my death stare. Nobody died, no flight attendants were called, and no space was had by me.
Hmmm ok, I think I am bit of a loner over in my camp. I’m a recliner. There, I said it! I’m a slow, slide on in, easy does it respectful recliner though.I ease into it, giving the person behind me plenty of notice that I’m comin’ in! When I get up during the flight, I also avoid eye contact with them 😉
I am a vehement anti recliner and feel great rage when the person in front of me chooses to do it. I don’t engage with them but you can be sure that when they return from a trip to the bathroom their seat will have somehow magically returned to the upright position. I recently discovered a hack on a flight that had non reclining seats in front of the exit row. Paid for the extra leg room and knew no one could spark my rage no matter how thoughtless they were. Felt so good. I am firmly in the group that wants reclining removed as a feature.
Firmly in the thou-shalt-not-recline camp. Just finished 7.5 weeks of Toronto-Nadi-Kadavu, Nadi-Auckland, Rotarian-Christchurch, Christchurch-Auckland-Tokyo, Tokyo-Calgary-Toronto…8 flights in all, and like you, Lori, I hate it when people recline in front of me, and assume those behind me feel likewise. Even if the lights are all off and people are “sleeping” reclined seats make it almost impossible to get up unless you’re skilled at walking on a 45 degree angle, and if your plane has seat back video screens, good luck being able to view it if the person in front reclines. Our last Tokyo-Toronto haul was in Premium Economy on Westjet - truly a step up from steerage and our first time flying anything but economy with extra leg room (I almost always pay more for exit rows as it’s totally worth it). Nobody reclined and we had SO much more room - plus we had real meals on china. China! It was a rare instance of premium economy not being double the regular airfare, so probably won’t be the norm for us, but it sure was nice. Definitely what flying should be instead of the usual sardine can experience, living in fear of the thoughtless-recliner-in-front.
I hadn’t flown for a number of years (COVID, etc) but finally travelled out west in November. I had a great flight both ways - no issues in the air. Ground level, well…another story for another STORY 😉. I had enough leg room (clearly I have shrunk), there were snacks and drinks provided and food to purchase, and in flight wi-fi that I actually figured out how to use! Gotta love Porter. I kept my seat upright the whole way, too. It was fine, no kicking, F-bombs or tomato stains happened, and people were calm. I was awake the whole trip, and did not dream any of it, promise!
Funny! I'm firmly in the 3rd camp - I wish everyone would stop mildly accepting these cutbacks from airlines and other providers and start insisting on reasonable allowances for room on flights - and be willing to put our money where our mouth is. :-)
I am a non-recliner as well. Though, depending on the 'mood' of my back, I might go back a few inches if necessary. I always get the window seat, so when I sleep, I lean my head on the window. Sleeping with a floor of clouds below is quite heavenly.
I'm definitely in the do not recline camp. Either fix the seat back permanently in the upright position, or give each seat more room to roam. My last flight was on a smaller Airbus, with minimalist seats that created more space. Great, right? Until the 12 year old in front of me slammed his seatback into my face while watching videos as his Dad sat in silence beside him, and I practiced my death stare. Nobody died, no flight attendants were called, and no space was had by me.
You were a a cool cat, for sure.
Hmmm ok, I think I am bit of a loner over in my camp. I’m a recliner. There, I said it! I’m a slow, slide on in, easy does it respectful recliner though.I ease into it, giving the person behind me plenty of notice that I’m comin’ in! When I get up during the flight, I also avoid eye contact with them 😉
🤣🤣🤣 I think you're a writer too...
I am a vehement anti recliner and feel great rage when the person in front of me chooses to do it. I don’t engage with them but you can be sure that when they return from a trip to the bathroom their seat will have somehow magically returned to the upright position. I recently discovered a hack on a flight that had non reclining seats in front of the exit row. Paid for the extra leg room and knew no one could spark my rage no matter how thoughtless they were. Felt so good. I am firmly in the group that wants reclining removed as a feature.
I'm gonna make note of that tip!
Firmly in the thou-shalt-not-recline camp. Just finished 7.5 weeks of Toronto-Nadi-Kadavu, Nadi-Auckland, Rotarian-Christchurch, Christchurch-Auckland-Tokyo, Tokyo-Calgary-Toronto…8 flights in all, and like you, Lori, I hate it when people recline in front of me, and assume those behind me feel likewise. Even if the lights are all off and people are “sleeping” reclined seats make it almost impossible to get up unless you’re skilled at walking on a 45 degree angle, and if your plane has seat back video screens, good luck being able to view it if the person in front reclines. Our last Tokyo-Toronto haul was in Premium Economy on Westjet - truly a step up from steerage and our first time flying anything but economy with extra leg room (I almost always pay more for exit rows as it’s totally worth it). Nobody reclined and we had SO much more room - plus we had real meals on china. China! It was a rare instance of premium economy not being double the regular airfare, so probably won’t be the norm for us, but it sure was nice. Definitely what flying should be instead of the usual sardine can experience, living in fear of the thoughtless-recliner-in-front.
You're back! What a trip, can't wait to hear about it.
I hadn’t flown for a number of years (COVID, etc) but finally travelled out west in November. I had a great flight both ways - no issues in the air. Ground level, well…another story for another STORY 😉. I had enough leg room (clearly I have shrunk), there were snacks and drinks provided and food to purchase, and in flight wi-fi that I actually figured out how to use! Gotta love Porter. I kept my seat upright the whole way, too. It was fine, no kicking, F-bombs or tomato stains happened, and people were calm. I was awake the whole trip, and did not dream any of it, promise!
I actually love the flying experience too.
Funny! I'm firmly in the 3rd camp - I wish everyone would stop mildly accepting these cutbacks from airlines and other providers and start insisting on reasonable allowances for room on flights - and be willing to put our money where our mouth is. :-)
I love the idea of a 3rd Camp, we ought to learn to negotiate...
Looking forward to the book launch!
I am a non-recliner as well. Though, depending on the 'mood' of my back, I might go back a few inches if necessary. I always get the window seat, so when I sleep, I lean my head on the window. Sleeping with a floor of clouds below is quite heavenly.
My head seems close to heaven
my security blanket below
the mind clouded with adventure
winged in dream-like glow
Lovely images of sleeping above the clouds, do I sense a poem, David?