Why is it everytime I fly on a plane,

[kpm76]

I am glad it was just a one time thing I know parents of toddlers have it rough on planes (been there, done that). I think you generate bad will and not good though when you try to defend giving up on getting good behaviour or try to make another passenger out to be the bad guy (for reclining his seat) when in reality it was your kid who just couldn't settle down that day. It is much better to say you tried your very, very hardest and just say that when you try your hardest and toddlers are so unpredictable that your normally well behave little one kicked some poor man's seat all through a flight and you felt awful about it (assuming that is true of course). That will garner you much more sympathy (or at least tolernace) than trying to place the blame elsewhere are chalk it up to toddlers being toddlers, etc.

You know what, you're right! The one time she kicked I actually leaned forward and asked the woman in front if she wanted to trade seats with my DH and she was super sweet. She said she totally understood what it was like to travel with a toddler and she was just fine.

Thanks for actually making an argument free of personal attacks. It's funny how other posters were quick to assume that there was a lack of parental control because sometimes toddlers have tough days. I admit that my argument had some faults, but it's laughable when people assume bad behavior is because of bad parenting. Sure, that is the case sometimes but not always. Most often people who make those statements are not parents though.

 

[Magic Mom]

Oh THAT is 1000 times better than a newspaper

Wouldn't that be fun? You could ask them super personal questions, or ask them if your skin looked purple, because you doctor said you might have a rare contagious tropical skin disease. They would sit back then.

 

[NHdisneylover]

You know what, you're right! The one time she kicked I actually leaned forward and asked the woman in front if she wanted to trade seats with my DH and she was super sweet. She said she totally understood what it was like to travel with a toddler and she was just fine.

Thanks for actually making an argument free of personal attacks. It's funny how other posters were quick to assume that there was a lack of parental control because sometimes toddlers have tough days. I admit that my argument had some faults, but it's laughable when people assume bad behavior is because of bad parenting. Sure, that is the case sometimes but not always. Most often people who make those statements are not parents though.

See--that understanding is all it takes It sounds like you handled the situation as well as possible given that you cannot just up and leave on a plane (which is a terible feeling when your little one is a probelm isn't it?)

 

[NHdisneylover]

Wouldn't that be fun? You could ask them super personal questions, or ask them if your skin looked purple, because you doctor said you might have a rare contagious tropical skin disease. They would sit back then.

Now I almost want annoying seat mates so i can do that!

Wouldn't have worked with the anxiety ridden, drunk and on meds which was a bad combination man across the aisle from me on my last trip. He was just happy to have anyone to talk to

 

[kpm76]

See--that understanding is all it takes It sounds like you handled the situation as well as possible given that you cannot just up and leave on a plane (which is a terible feeling when your little one is a probelm isn't it?)

Oh, trust me, I did want to get up and leave on that flight. We made the mistake only once of flying at night past DD's bedtime and that was likely the cause of the complete meltdown!! She was overtired and could not find her way to sleep. Finally she did, but by then I felt like I needed several adult beverages If we can help it (i.e. barring no flight delays) we fly at times we know are pretty good for DD.

 

[bavaria]

I don't believe that OP has answered so I will ask again - how often do you fly, what was the length of this flight, and what type of aircraft?

To those of you who think that reclining is wrong, how often do you fly, and how long are your flights?

 

[Magic Mom]

Now I almost want annoying seat mates so i can do that!

Wouldn't have worked with the anxiety ridden, drunk and on meds which was a bad combination man across the aisle from me on my last trip. He was just happy to have anyone to talk to

oohh That's awful... stuck on a plane with a drunk talker that you don't know. I'd take a seat recliner over that any day.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Oh, trust me, I did want to get up and leave on that flight. We made the mistake only once of flying at night past DD's bedtime and that was likely the cause of the complete meltdown!! She was overtired and could not find her way to sleep. Finally she did, but by then I felt like I needed several adult beverages If we can help it (i.e. barring no flight delays) we fly at times we know are pretty good for DD.

Thanks for thinking of how your DD reacts when you choose your flight tiems That is the kind of consideration for everyone (your DD and yourself included it sounds like) that I wish all parents had. Some do and some don't (and no, I do not blame you for having tried one nighttime flight. Some kids do great flying at night and sleep well on planes. You cannot always know until you try--but you ca learn from that first attempt)

 

[MELSMICE]

You know what, you're right! The one time she kicked I actually leaned forward and asked the woman in front if she wanted to trade seats with my DH and she was super sweet. She said she totally understood what it was like to travel with a toddler and she was just fine.

Thanks for actually making an argument free of personal attacks. It's funny how other posters were quick to assume that there was a lack of parental control because sometimes toddlers have tough days. I admit that my argument had some faults, but it's laughable when people assume bad behavior is because of bad parenting. Sure, that is the case sometimes but not always. Most often people who make those statements are not parents though.

That is being considerate of other flyers. I definitely also understand that toddlers kick the seats & it is nice when the parents are being considerate.

It's hard to really get the message you want across on a message board, especially when you can't post every single detail without writing a book!

 

[NHdisneylover]

oohh That's awful... stuck on a plane with a drunk talker that you don't know. I'd take a seat recliner over that any day.

I wasn't right next to him--but across the aisle in teh center section. Eventually the FA moved the two people next to him and three in front of him to about the only other spots on the aircraft. They cut off his alcohol but an idiot from by the galley who had not seen his behaviour and just heard his conversation with the FAs snuck more to him (I should have reported that in hindsight). I actually ended up intentioally trying to keep him involved in conversation for the last two hours. He was much calmer when someone would talk to him (heavy scottish accents accompanied by a strong drunken slur are not easy to understand mind you) and once we were over land I was afraid they might make an unscheduled landing if he spiraled out of control. My goal was to keep him calm enough that I would arrive in Orlando on schedule DH says I love my vacation too much and it was not worth the sacrifice I told him a I needed a good challenge because I had finished my Logic Problems anyway hee-hee.

 

[1957]

You should have just interjected random inane comments into their conversations, like "Hey, pigs can get a suntan!" or "wild turkeys can fly 35 MPH." They may have shut up, or at the very least you could have been entertained by the looks on their faces

I used more subtle tactics. The golf-tan guys were pretty toasted, and size Large. No offense, but they were from the South (could tell by their accent). (This was on a flight from LAS to BHM...they'd been at a golf tournament). After a couple of hours, I excused myself to go to the bathroom and "accidentally" stepped on aisle guy's foot, apologizing profusely. "So sorry, mate!" Quizzical looks. Upon my return, I "accidentally" fell into the lap of of window guy, apologizing for tripping over my Bible. (I was reading Michener's "Caribbean" paperback.) I dropped my purse, a pen, and my empty drink spilling ice all over. I made a big production of re-applying make-up and mascara and sniffing under my arms. I live near these guys, but they never knew it, and never asked. They never shut up - too engrossed in themselves.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

When you come down to it, when you purchase an airline seat you are renting a certain "evelope" of space on the flight. The airlines, by the way they design the plane, decide the size of that envelope. Since they chose to let the seats recline, the space it reclines in belongs to the person in that seat, it's what are selling you. This is really similar to when someone flies who doesn't fit between the arm rests. They are not staying in "their" space and are encroaching on their neighbors space that they paid for

 

[bavaria]

Has anyone ever on their commercial airline flights ever heard an announcement from an FA not to recline?

Anyone?

Not I.

Perhaps I am flying different carriers, but I have dozens of different airlines around the world over a million miles and have never heard any airline announce this in any language on any flight.

Again, if you have an issue, don't fly smaller jets, choose your airline based on seat pitch, pay for extra seating space, or choose a carrier with clam shell seats. Don't make others out to be 'rude' because you don't like that they are doing something which is permitted and accepted as appropriate behaviour.

 

[kpm76]

That is being considerate of other flyers. I definitely also understand that toddlers kick the seats & it is nice when the parents are being considerate.

It's hard to really get the message you want across on a message board, especially when you can't post every single detail without writing a book!

We do try to be considerate and we also realize that while we love our DD deeply and think she's the cutest thing in the world, not everyone agrees I'm sorry some of my posts made it sound as though I had no regard for others on the flight. And trust me, we do everything in our power to keep DD from having a meltdown on the plane. I guess I have been on too many flights where other passengers were not polite or considerate (and I realize I sounded like one of them...sorry!) so there are times you just want to say "forget it...what will be will be." But that's not necessarily the right response or the correct thing to do......

 

[DBL101]

Weeellll, there was that lady in front of me one time. She reclined shortly after take off. Fully reclined as far as was possible. So, she falls asleep. No big deal. Except that her extremely long hair kept falling through the space between the seats.....not so wonderful for me. It just kept swiping past my tray. Finally gave up and closed the tray up.

She paid for the "recline" space and no more. This is where you need to smuggle in the scissors.

 

[IKNOWITALL]

Here is an idea....why don't you ask the person behind you if they mind if you recline your seat?

 

[Sleepy]

Here is an idea....why don't you ask the person behind you if they mind if you recline your seat?

I don't mind telling them I apologize for needing to recline my seat, but I am not going to ask if it is ok. I mean, what if they say it is not ok? I have a reason for wanting to recline. They can't tell me no anymore than they can tell me I can't go to the bathroom if I am stuck in the middle of a row and need to walk in front of them because they are sitting beside me. Either way, I would be getting in their personal space. It is part of public transportation. Nobody ever asks if it is ok to pull on my seat when they are behind me and are trying to stand up. Nobody ever asks if it is ok to jam their knees in the back of my seat either. Again, part of public transportation. You just deal with it the best you can.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

Lead article on MSN today LOl http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=The+Ten+Commandments+of+Flying&cid=msn1064207&GT1=41000

 

[islandmum]

Honestly, I think that is one of the most inconsiderate things someone can do on a plane.

Why??

they're designed to do it, as long as you dont do it during meal times I dont get what the fuss is?

Everyones seat is able to recline, everyone has a right to recline their seat, so whats the big hoo-ha.

If you want more space, save up more cash and buy business, otherwise its a suck it up situation.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Lead article on MSN today LOl http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=The+Ten+Commandments+of+Flying&cid=msn1064207&GT1=41000

Awesome article, and I love the byline at the end...

John Rosenthal is a frequent contributor to Bing Travel based in Santa Monica, Calif., and is a strong supporter of an air traveler’s right to recline.