Seat Reclining Rage: Air travel etiquette questions

Diverted flights spark air travel debates

ROMULUS, Mich. – You've probably heard about the recent battles in the sky over personal space. Three airline flights diverted within eight days. In each case, passengers started arguing because someone reclined their seat.

*August 24th- Businessman used something called the Knee Defender to prevent his fellow passenger from reclining. The United flight from Newark to Denver had to stop in Chicago.

*August 27th- Two more passengers got into an altercation on an American flight from Miami to Paris, the plane was diverted to Boston.

*September 1st- Witnesses say one woman demanded the plane be landed after a passenger pushed her seat back. The Delta flight from New York to West Palm Beach was diverted to Jacksonville, Florida.

Too Close For Comfort?

Even though two of those altercations took place in premium coach, with 4 extra inches of space, most passengers tell Ruth to the Rescue and ClickOnDetroit.com they feel too cramped when the fly.

At one point, more than 1,500 people answered our online poll about air travel etiquette. Almost 90 percent said planes are unreasonably cramped. Only 10 percent said the seats are fine, because they prefer no frills flights.

"I'm taller than average certainly, but most coach seats don't fit me and it makes it uncomfortable for people in front and behind me." said Jason Scott, a 6'6" traveler from North Carolina.

He says being courteous is really the golden rule. He says he never puts his seat back. "Cause, I don't want to infringe on the people behind me because I can't stand when people do it to me!"

Earlier results of our poll showed people are split on the issue of whether to recline or not to recline. Thirty-nine percent say planes are too cramped, don't do it. While 35 percent say if the seats recline-- feel free to lean back.

Ruth to the Rescue spoke with several passengers at Metro-Airport, and all of them said they try to be aware of their fellow passengers and considerate

of their pace. "I kind of look behind me to just see how much space I took from the person behind me... Do they have enough space? And, I go from there

because I'll do a halfway instead of a fullback," said Shakena Simmons of Inkster.

Air Travel Etiquette

The combined results of our poll and speaking with travelers revealed this basic consensus about air travel etiquette.

*Do look behind your seat before reclining and assess your fellow passenger's needs. Are they very tall? Are they using a laptop?

*Don't put your seat back during meal time.

*Always keep your cool.

Are you a courteous traveler?

Ruth to the Rescue also found some general guidelines that might make flying a little better if everyone followed this advice. Think about these habits.

*Don't use Knee Defenders. The gadgets prevent the person in front from reclining.

*Don't fight over the arm rest. There's only one, find a way to share and when your arms bump, be sure to smile pleasantly at your neighbor.

*Don't push your way in front of people when boarding or leaving the plane. Unless you have a very tight connection, wait to file out in order.

*Know your body and sit in the seat the works best. If you're someone who will need to use the bathroom, sit in the aisle. If you're someone who can sleep, it might be better to choose the window.

*Don't abuse carry-on privileges. You're sharing space with fellow passengers, leave as much room as possible for everyone.

*Be kind when it comes to the window blind. It's fine to have the window closed for most of the flight. but when you're landing in New York, give your seat mates a change to see the glorious skyline.

Finally, one passenger has this plea to the airlines about the cramped seating.

"That's not fair because you want to pay a comfortable price, but you want to be comfortable!" said Denise Walker of Detroit.

A sentiment very few people would fight over!

Our online poll results

1. What do you think about reclining an airline seat?
The seat reclines, so passengers should recline if they want to. 35.2%
If you want to recline, ask the person behind you to make sure its ok. 19.8%
It's only ok to recline when the seat behind you is empty. 5.5%
Planes are so cramped that seats shouldn't be able to recline anyway. 39.5%

2. Who do you blame for the recent air rage incidents?
The reclining passengers. Leaning back into another's space is rude.  9.1%
The passenger behind the recliner. Seats recline, deal with it.  23.3%
The airlines. Increasingly cramped planes and reclining seats are a bad combination.  67.6%

3. Do you think the government does enough to regulate the in-flight experience?
It's a free-market. If I don't like what the airlines are selling, I can take a bus. 25.0%
The flight experience is fine, the government doesn't need to do anything different. 12.9%
For what taxpayers provide airlines (i.e. public airports, security, the post 9/11 bailout) we should get a better flight experience for our tax dollars, if not our fares. 62.2%

4. Boeing is adding more seats per row on many planes. Spirit boasts about their "cozy" (read: tight) seating. Have airlines gone too far packing passengers on planes?
Yes. Planes are unreasonably cramped. 89.6%
Airline seating is fine. I prefer no-frills prices to increased comfort during a flight. 10.4%

5. Would you be interested in flying on an airline using alternative seating configurations such as "vertical" seats or military-style benches?
Cramped or not, traditional aisle/middle/window seating is fine. 22.6%
I'm willing to try anything that may be less cramped or more comfortable. 26.5%
It would depend on the specifics. 50.9%

6. Do you ever pay for more space, such as upgrades to first-class/business-class or extra leg-room coach seating?
I upgrade whenever I can. 12.1%
Sometimes, depending on the length of the flight. 19.7%
Sometimes, depending on the upgrade cost. 28.2%
I'd prefer coach seating to paying more to fly. 40.0%

7. What do you think about devices that allow passengers to block the person in front of them from reclining their seats?
I use one or would use one. 11.4%
I wouldn't use one, but it seems fair for other passengers to use them. 9.3%
I hate reclining seats, but these gizmos are just as rude. 37.3%
I paid for a reclining seat and the person behind me has no right to block my seat. 42.0%