Knee Defenders
Oct 28th, 2003, 08:26 AM
#42
"Partial reclines are usually not a problem for my knees...it's the full recline that gets to me."
There's a Seinfeld episode begging to be written about this thread. I can see George going into the full recline in one part of the plane (because that's how George is) and Kramer being the victim of a full recline.
There's a Seinfeld episode begging to be written about this thread. I can see George going into the full recline in one part of the plane (because that's how George is) and Kramer being the victim of a full recline.
Oct 28th, 2003, 08:46 AM
#43
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I find the idea of this contraption interesting. On one hand, I personally go out of my to consider the comfort of those around me- hopefully, the favor will be returned.
On the other hand, I find in infuriating that someone thinks that it is ok for them to control what I do with my seat. If I PAID for my seat, just as the a-hole behind me did who thinks it is acceptable to put this device on my seat, then in all fairness he should bring a second knee defender along for me to attach to the back of his seat. The whole idea of this thing is just plain rude- I hate to be on the plane where someone clips one of these things onto someone else's seat!
On the other hand, I find in infuriating that someone thinks that it is ok for them to control what I do with my seat. If I PAID for my seat, just as the a-hole behind me did who thinks it is acceptable to put this device on my seat, then in all fairness he should bring a second knee defender along for me to attach to the back of his seat. The whole idea of this thing is just plain rude- I hate to be on the plane where someone clips one of these things onto someone else's seat!
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:08 AM
#44
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Agree with St. Cirq. Reclining your seat doesn't really make you any more comfortable, it just makes the person behind you extremely uncomfortable. And don't give me that story about if the person in front of you reclines, then by my reclining it all works out the same -- it doesn't.
Just flew Delta's Song and there's good leg room and the seats don't seem to recline <i>as much.</i>
Just flew Delta's Song and there's good leg room and the seats don't seem to recline <i>as much.</i>
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:12 AM
#45
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Erin,
The 'a-hole' behind you may just assume that you're an 'a-hole' too and attaching it may be a pre-emptive strike. Perhaps, it would be better to not ASSume anything about your fellow passenger until they give you reason to?
The 'a-hole' behind you may just assume that you're an 'a-hole' too and attaching it may be a pre-emptive strike. Perhaps, it would be better to not ASSume anything about your fellow passenger until they give you reason to?
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:19 AM
#46
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Renee
I think you should save your money until you find out if the airline you fly will defend its authority to equip its fleet from being undermined. The airlines are the landlords, so to speak, of the seats that they rent, and they may or may not choose to permit modifications, even temporary ones or ones with objectives you or others see as reasonable, to their property. It remains to be seen.
Psychologically, I think this device is useless. The type of people most likely to put up with such a device being applied to their seats are likely also the people who would be receptive to your polite request to reach agreement as to what degree of recline you can both live with. As for the other, less tolerant passenger, they are likely going to respond to the discovery of your device by intruding into your personal space verbally. At this point, I'm betting the flight crew will intervene. They will likely choose to confiscate your device, not necessarily because your concerns are invalid but because it will be the easiest solution for them. You will have lost face as well as your space, now what?
As an alternative to using this device, you can try soliciting the aid of the FA in reaching agreement, but if you can't reach agreement, my advice is that you consider your alternatives carefully. My 6'4" friend extends his feet under the seat in front of him, or twists to the side. While this is not ideal, the solution is truly within his control.
I think you should save your money until you find out if the airline you fly will defend its authority to equip its fleet from being undermined. The airlines are the landlords, so to speak, of the seats that they rent, and they may or may not choose to permit modifications, even temporary ones or ones with objectives you or others see as reasonable, to their property. It remains to be seen.
Psychologically, I think this device is useless. The type of people most likely to put up with such a device being applied to their seats are likely also the people who would be receptive to your polite request to reach agreement as to what degree of recline you can both live with. As for the other, less tolerant passenger, they are likely going to respond to the discovery of your device by intruding into your personal space verbally. At this point, I'm betting the flight crew will intervene. They will likely choose to confiscate your device, not necessarily because your concerns are invalid but because it will be the easiest solution for them. You will have lost face as well as your space, now what?
As an alternative to using this device, you can try soliciting the aid of the FA in reaching agreement, but if you can't reach agreement, my advice is that you consider your alternatives carefully. My 6'4" friend extends his feet under the seat in front of him, or twists to the side. While this is not ideal, the solution is truly within his control.
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:24 AM
#47
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I read that also. Just something more to carry on!! I bring my own knees--attached to long legs--and just keep shifting them in the back of the seat if there isn't enough leg room. Also getting out of my seat holding onto the back of the practically horizontal seat in front at least lets them know they are a bother. For the record I recline my seat only slightly, even trans-Atlantic. Except first class, of course.
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:25 AM
#48
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On our last international flight my 6'2" husband was stuck in the very middle seat on an absolutely full flight. The person in front of him reclined partially. The (approx 5'6"
lady behind him kicked the back of his seat repeatedly with her knees, cursing, when he attempted to recline. He was literally wedged into his seat with his knees pushed to the side facing me. I was ready to fling all 5'2" of myself at her and throttle her. Her 2 year old son kicked my seatback the entire flight. What MISERY!
lady behind him kicked the back of his seat repeatedly with her knees, cursing, when he attempted to recline. He was literally wedged into his seat with his knees pushed to the side facing me. I was ready to fling all 5'2" of myself at her and throttle her. Her 2 year old son kicked my seatback the entire flight. What MISERY!
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:34 AM
#49
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Hi Sue,
No, I was only considering buying one...not that it was a certainty. I truly believe this dialogue could actually render this product obsolete if people will start to consider their fellow passengers. I'm more enthused that we are discussing something that possibly hundreds of fodorites will read.
This makes me extremely hopeful that I will one day experience a more comfortable plane ride. As I stated before, sliding your feet under the seat and in the aisle and/or twisting your knees to the side is NOT comfortable. I invite anyone who thinks I'm being overly dramatic to try sitting in those positions during the course of their next flight. I think it's unreasonable to expect someone to accept this discomfort because someone else is being selfish.
Besides, it's going to take a lot more than someone confiscating a plastic cube for me to lose face....but my face thanks you for your concern. ;-D
No, I was only considering buying one...not that it was a certainty. I truly believe this dialogue could actually render this product obsolete if people will start to consider their fellow passengers. I'm more enthused that we are discussing something that possibly hundreds of fodorites will read.
This makes me extremely hopeful that I will one day experience a more comfortable plane ride. As I stated before, sliding your feet under the seat and in the aisle and/or twisting your knees to the side is NOT comfortable. I invite anyone who thinks I'm being overly dramatic to try sitting in those positions during the course of their next flight. I think it's unreasonable to expect someone to accept this discomfort because someone else is being selfish.
Besides, it's going to take a lot more than someone confiscating a plastic cube for me to lose face....but my face thanks you for your concern. ;-D
Oct 28th, 2003, 09:52 AM
#50
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I am one of those who reclines her seat. Not during meals, but certainly on an overnight flight when the lights go down and I want to sleep. I think it is a <i>lot</i> more comfortable than full upright position.
I'm amazed that with all the miles I've flown no one has ever seemed to object to this. If they had I would certainly have compromised. But it has been a non-issue for me. When the person in front of me reclines, I'm not thrilled, but I adjust.
Might as well complain about the person invading your olfactory space with their perfume, or your visual space by having the reading light on when you want to watch the movie.
If a child were kicking my seat repeatedly I would say something very nicely to the parent. It is simply unacceptable behavior.
I'm amazed that with all the miles I've flown no one has ever seemed to object to this. If they had I would certainly have compromised. But it has been a non-issue for me. When the person in front of me reclines, I'm not thrilled, but I adjust.
Might as well complain about the person invading your olfactory space with their perfume, or your visual space by having the reading light on when you want to watch the movie.
If a child were kicking my seat repeatedly I would say something very nicely to the parent. It is simply unacceptable behavior.
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:03 AM
#51
"If they had I would certainly have compromised."
I think most people are pretty non-confrontational (especially on an airplane these days).
I think (for us non-recliners) this post just says "before you recline, think about the person behind you and don't fully recline." I doubt I'll change anyone's mind here, but I can at least try.
I think most people are pretty non-confrontational (especially on an airplane these days).
I think (for us non-recliners) this post just says "before you recline, think about the person behind you and don't fully recline." I doubt I'll change anyone's mind here, but I can at least try.
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:16 AM
#54
"My comment wasn't directed at you"
No problema, martytravels. I didn't think they were.
And I do agree that this device would not be a good idea. I like to enjoy my cold, tasteless pasta and colder red wine (vintage yesterday) without fisticuffs breaking out everywhere.
No problema, martytravels. I didn't think they were.
And I do agree that this device would not be a good idea. I like to enjoy my cold, tasteless pasta and colder red wine (vintage yesterday) without fisticuffs breaking out everywhere.
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:25 AM
#55
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I agree Maitai, I find it just rude for someone to lower their chair into my face, would they do this if they knew me? Like you say, probably not. I know how it is to have a chair in your lap so I always ask the person behind me before I recline all the way. I have asked the person in front of me to raise the seat if it is too low, especially during meals and I have asked the parents of a child to stop him from kicking me too.
Doesn this make me a bad person? Oh well.
Doesn this make me a bad person? Oh well.
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:40 AM
#58
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There was a thread a while ago on "bad behavior" on airplanes. Several people confessed to doing terrible things to the person sitting in front of them whose behavior enraged them. One woman complained about a woman in front of her flipping her long hair over the seat and into her meal. I think she dipped the offending locks into the salad dressing.
Actually, I think I started that thread...
Actually, I think I started that thread...
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:59 AM
#60
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We alcoholics never have problems on our flights. Two of those wee bottles of Gibley's gin with a 3-beer chaser and we don't even feel our knees.
Once on a flight from Madrid, a man reclined his seat almost into my lap. (If he were more attractive, I wouldn't have minded.) I said in a very loud voice to the lady sitting next to me, "The man in front of me really needs hair plugs, don't you think?" The man sat bolt upright for the rest of the trip.
Once on a flight from Madrid, a man reclined his seat almost into my lap. (If he were more attractive, I wouldn't have minded.) I said in a very loud voice to the lady sitting next to me, "The man in front of me really needs hair plugs, don't you think?" The man sat bolt upright for the rest of the trip.
