United plane diverted to ORD after scuffle over use of "Knee Defender"

[dmband]

I recline all the way, just uncomfortable sitting straight up for me
If the person in front of me reclines that's their choice even if it is a tight fit
I am much more concerned about the armrest for one person between seats vs reclined space

 

[North of Mouse]

I recline all the way, just uncomfortable sitting straight up for me
If the person in front of me reclines that's their choice even if it is a tight fit
I am much more concerned about the armrest for one person between seats vs reclined space

Oh, yes, don't start me on the 'armrest' debate!! I've had people ask to have it up - no, I don't think so, then I'll get very little of 'my' space.

 

[LBIJim]

I can't find the link now, but got a good chuckle when the guy who invented the knee defenders was interviewed. Lots of double talk and the device supposedly comes with a disclaimer that boils down to "not intended to be used for intended purpose."

 

[LBIJim]

Chicago police & TSA collectively determined it was a non-criminal incident.
d.

Probably went something like this: "if you don't press charges against the woman for throwing water at you, the airline won't press charges against you for disobeying a flight attendant."

 

[anonymousegirl]

Often I won't recline as I just don't need to. But on long flights to Europe, or when I haven't paid for economy Plus and the person in front of me reclines, I am pretty much forced to recline or spend the entire flight picking that person's hair out of my mouth.

What I really hate is when the guy in front reclines and then dangles his hands in my face as he drapes his arms over his headrest.

 

[keishashadow]

Probably went something like this: "if you don't press charges against the woman for throwing water at you, the airline won't press charges against you for disobeying a flight attendant."

perhaps they want to throw the responsibility to maintain decorum aboard their airplanes back onto the airline.

have to wonder how far situation would have escalated if an air marshal was on the plane?

 

[jworthy]

I am 6'5 and unfortunately no one in front of me will get to recline. Most of my height comes from my legs and my knees are in the back of the seat in front of me even with their seat all the way up. Every flight the person in front tries with all their muscle to move their seat back, but it won't. I try to let them know kindly that they won't be able to move their seat back. Never has anyone ever asked me ahead of time if they can recline their seat. One flight the person in front of me was visibly upset, even though I told them as nicely as I could of the situation. I went to the restroom and their seat was all the way back when I got back. I again told him nicely that he would have to raise his seat and he ignored me. I easily pushed his seat to an upright position and sat back down. Nothing more was said. BTW I never recline my seat.

 

[smidgy]

I feel if you weren't supposed to recline, then the seats wouldn't be able to recline.

I am very nervous flying and try to sleep. I can't sleep sitting straight up like a board. and after a couple hours of sitting staright up my hip will be in pain.

when I can't sleep, I put mybook or crossword puzzle on the tray and never have ahd a problem with it, or with a drink or coffee on the tray when the person in front of me is relined. a pad or tablet will fit nicelyt, too.

now maybe a laptop won't, but after all, it is called a LAP top, not a TRAY top.

speaking of trays, on the way to Calif. the guy with his tablet behind me kept getting irritated everytime I moved a bit and the tray (connected to my seat) jiggled a bit. when the pilot announced we were flyng over the Grand canyon I got up quick to see over the other 2 people and he was like "OH COME ON!!!"

but on the way home, I was working my crossword puzzle and the person in front of me told me to stop jiggling her seat. now how hard can I be writing the letters> lol

anyway, it is really the airlines' faults for jamming so many in so close. we all know the situation.we are all sharing very little space for a few hours. if these tight quarters are really irritating to you, then you should pay for a first class seat.

 

[robinb]

have to wonder how far situation would have escalated if an air marshal was on the plane?

Um ... the same. It's not the Air Marshall's job to break up minor squabbles between passengers. Their job is much more serious.

 

[keishashadow]

Um ... the same. It's not the Air Marshall's job to break up minor squabbles between passengers. Their job is much more serious.

yes, they are entrusted to handle terrorists but many reports of them 'breaking cover' on planes when things have gotten out of control...as in what happened yesterday according to USA Today:

For the second time this week, a U.S. passenger jet has made an unscheduled landing after a dispute over reclining a seat.

An American Airlines flight from Miami to Paris diverted to Boston on Wednesday night after a 60-year-old French passenger erupted when the passenger in front of him reclined her seat, and he grabbed a flight attendant who tried to calm him, the Justice Department said Thursday.

Two plain-clothes federal air marshals then subdued and handcuffed the unruly passenger, and the pilot landed at Logan Airport.

Edmund Alexandre, of Paris, was charged with interfering with flight crew members, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

He was arraigned Thursday in a Boston hospital, where he was taken upon landing for treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes, federal prosecutors told the Associated Press. He was released from custody and ordered to return in December for a hearing

 

[robinb]

Yeah, I just saw that! It looks like the difference between the two incidents is that the French passenger assaulted the flight attendant.

OT, but my worst flight included a French passenger. It was on a flight from CDG to ORD way before 9-11 and he brought booze on board with him which he shared with his friends around him and then passed out on me. The plane was completely full and I could do nothing more than try to push him off of me. Repeatedly.