The Knee Defender

[Tisme]

I want them!!!

The reclining seat is one of the top nuisances remaining on any flight.

I remember flying long haul in the seventies/ eighties when they served acrid coffee on flights to compliment the obnoxious cigarette smoke, the refined kerosene stink from the leaking fuel tanks, the bone shaking vibrations and the sickening G pulls as the plane alley ooped through air pockets.

Like a stale bottle of beer the reclining seat continues to hang foul, managing to engender a spiteful, almost hatred for the impudent, arrogant, uncaring, expletive deserving idiot infront. Being a regular traveller I have devised many punishments for these rogues e.g.

I usually manage to get my knees up as the seatbelt sign extinguishes, but it's only a short lived reprieve:-

the moving knees in the back are a good one to raise the situation to defcon 1;
irregular, but frequent raising and lowering of the tray table works well combined with fumbling of the catch;
directing the task air outlet so it blows on the perp's head is another good'n;
asking for a hot drink and demanding the chair be put upright incase of scolding is well worth it once the assailant has fallen asleep;
inviting the obnoxious kid with ants in his pants to play peek a boo is a winner;
getting up for a toilet break or leg stretcher, hip and shoulder while pulling down on the head rest for leverage is excellent;
pushing the carryon bag side to side under the seat so it hits the guard rail;
lemon scented hand wipes deployed right next to the bolster;
tapping out the ipod beat on the tray table;

......

Of course it is a must to be seen to be a happy go lucky person who bears no malice to anyone, replete with genuine friendly smile.

 

[SirRumpole]

I usually only fly short haul, but sitting next to overly large people who spread their legs out, effectively giving you no room to move is just as bad. They have little choice to do that because of the inhibited legroom, so I blame the airlines for packing people in like cattle.

 

[Value Collector]

I want them!!!

The reclining seat is one of the top nuisances remaining on any flight.

I remember flying long haul in the seventies/ eighties when they served acrid coffee on flights to compliment the obnoxious cigarette smoke, the refined kerosene stink from the leaking fuel tanks, the bone shaking vibrations and the sickening G pulls as the plane alley ooped through air pockets.

Like a stale bottle of beer the reclining seat continues to hang foul, managing to engender a spiteful, almost hatred for the impudent, arrogant, uncaring, expletive deserving idiot infront. Being a regular traveller I have devised many punishments for these rogues e.g.

I usually manage to get my knees up as the seatbelt sign extinguishes, but it's only a short lived reprieve:-

the moving knees in the back are a good one to raise the situation to defcon 1;
irregular, but frequent raising and lowering of the tray table works well combined with fumbling of the catch;
directing the task air outlet so it blows on the perp's head is another good'n;
asking for a hot drink and demanding the chair be put upright incase of scolding is well worth it once the assailant has fallen asleep;
inviting the obnoxious kid with ants in his pants to play peek a boo is a winner;
getting up for a toilet break or leg stretcher, hip and shoulder while pulling down on the head rest for leverage is excellent;
pushing the carryon bag side to side under the seat so it hits the guard rail;
lemon scented hand wipes deployed right next to the bolster;
tapping out the ipod beat on the tray table;

......

Of course it is a must to be seen to be a happy go lucky person who bears no malice to anyone, replete with genuine friendly smile.

Sounds like your the idiot, not them.

I certainly don't mind if the person in front reclines on a long haul flight so they can snooze a bit. who knows they may have a long drive at the other end. and need a sleep.

 

[SirRumpole]

Sounds like your the idiot, not them.

I certainly don't mind if the person in front reclines on a long haul flight so they can snooze a bit. who knows they may have a long drive at the other end. and need a sleep.

When one person's comfort means another's discomfort the onus is on the one causing the discomfort not to do it.

I find airline seating claustrophobic enough without having my space cut down even further.

 

[Tisme]

Sounds like your the idiot, not them.

.

[thoughtbubble] Where is Tezzles when you need him. [/thoughtbubble]

You could be very correct there Value Collector, but I'm still in the majority and you are a recliner I suspect?

 

[Value Collector]

When one person's comfort means another's discomfort the onus is on the one causing the discomfort not to do it.

I find airline seating claustrophobic enough without having my space cut down even further.

if you want more room, pay for a business class ticket, by not letting the person in front recline, your denying them a feature that they are entitled to use.

You are free to recline your chair also, if everyone did we would all have more comfortable seating and be able to get some sleep on long flights.

 

[Value Collector]

[thoughtbubble] Where is Tezzles when you need him. [/thoughtbubble]

You could be very correct there Value Collector, but I'm still in the majority and you are a recliner I suspect?

I recline when I need to sleep, otherwise no. When I fly the Sydney LA route, I often have a full work day ahead of me and need to drive, being awake for 24 hours prior is not safe. I have no problem with the people around me reclining, to get some sleep.

 

[SirRumpole]

if you want more room, pay for a business class ticket, by not letting the person in front recline, your denying them a feature that they are entitled to use.

You are free to recline your chair also, if everyone did we would all have more comfortable seating and be able to get some sleep on long flights.

And if you can't get a seat in business class ? You then get restricted by factors out of your control. Considering that passenger numbers are declining, it may be a selling point for airlines to reduce the number of seats and give everyone more room and therefore more comfort instead of trying to pack less people into less space.

 

[Tisme]

On the long hauls I do fly in the comfort seats, but for the shorts ones like across country I like to mix it with the poor people .. it grounds me.

Some of us don't want to recline to 115 ° and in some instances 122 ° !!

The odd thing is the flights to and from mining towns are by far the most courteous between fellow travellers. Many ask if its OK to recline, the air hosties are happy and the people are pleasant.

A couple of years ago I spent more than $100k in one year on air fares and I think that gives me the right to whinge like a Kiwi at a Collingwood game.

 

[bellenuit]

When one person's comfort means another's discomfort the onus is on the one causing the discomfort not to do it.

I find airline seating claustrophobic enough without having my space cut down even further.

I agree 100%. Being 6ft+, the seat in front is already pressing on my knees even before reclining and hell for me once reclined. I reclining my seat doesn't alleviate in any way and only adds to the discomfort of the person behind me.

Knowing how uncomfortable it is for me, I never recline my seat on principle if there is someone behind. I can't sleep on planes anyway, so reclining doesn't help in that respect.

On a recent flight from Bali with Virgin, I noticed that they have reduced the amount the seat can be reclined, which is an improvement for us tall folk. Personally I think non reclining seats should be the norm so that passengers aren't put in situations that could cause conflict.

 

[Logique]

...On a recent flight from Bali with Virgin, I noticed that they have reduced the amount the seat can be reclined, which is an improvement for us tall folk. Personally I think non reclining seats should be the norm so that passengers aren't put in situations that could cause conflict.

I do agree, and congratulations to Virgin for reducing the amount of seat reclining that is possible.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

I agree 100%. Being 6ft+, the seat in front is already pressing on my knees even before reclining and hell for me once reclined. I reclining my seat doesn't alleviate in any way and only adds to the discomfort of the person behind me.

Knowing how uncomfortable it is for me, I never recline my seat on principle if there is someone behind. I can't sleep on planes anyway, so reclining doesn't help in that respect.

On a recent flight from Bali with Virgin, I noticed that they have reduced the amount the seat can be reclined, which is an improvement for us tall folk. Personally I think non reclining seats should be the norm so that passengers aren't put in situations that could cause conflict.

I agree.

I prefer to sit erect on flights.

Erect is the way to go.

People who recline are muppets and deserve all the odium that they presently receive.

They are similar to the peleton bicycle helmet brigade, all rights and no responsibility.

gg

 

[Smurf1976]

Considering that passenger numbers are declining

Are they? I'm not arguing, just curious as that's not something I've heard mention of before in an industry wide context.

 

[pinkboy]

I agree.

I prefer to sit erect on flights.

Erect is the way to go.

People who recline are muppets and deserve all the odium that they presently receive.

They are similar to the peleton bicycle helmet brigade, all rights and no responsibility.

gg

Its funny how easily respect is lost for someone when they make generalised comments that taint all with one brush!

pinkboy

 

[SirRumpole]

Are they? I'm not arguing, just curious as that's not something I've heard mention of before in an industry wide context.

This is just one report, pertaining to Qantas. It may be only short term. On the other hand with war zones expanding and increasing threats of terrorism there may be a continuing downturn.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/q...umbers-and-shares-plummet-20140630-3b49h.html

 

[DB008]

The 'Knee Defender' is pretty old news. Been around a while.......

If there is a recline function on my Y seat, I will use it. Don't like it, pay for J or F.

QF and VA have banned them anyways. Safety first people.

Qantas, Virgin Australia ban 'Knee Defender'

 

[McLovin]

And if you can't get a seat in business class ? You then get restricted by factors out of your control. Considering that passenger numbers are declining, it may be a selling point for airlines to reduce the number of seats and give everyone more room and therefore more comfort instead of trying to pack less people into less space.

They do. It's called premium economy.

Passenger numbers aren't declining.

As far as I'm concerned if I'm travelling in economy, and thankfully it's been years since I had to fly anywhere long-haul in economy, then I'll use the recline function. If the person behind me doesn't like it they should buy two seats or a higher cabin with more leg room.

 

[SirRumpole]

Funny how a simple thread like this brings out the best and worst in people isn't it ?

My respect for some posters has declined, and increased for others.

It's also a shame we are getting stuck into each other instead of putting the blame where it's deserved, on the airlines who supply an unrealistically small seating space.

 

[McLovin]

It's also a shame we are getting stuck into each other instead of putting the blame where it's deserved, on the airlines who supply an unrealistically small seating space.

The airlines are giving people what they want. If people were prepared to pay for 34-36 inches of seat pitch then the airlines would provide it. Instead people are happy to pay $300 return to Bali/Thailand/Vietnam and then b!tch and moan about the lack of seat space. Airlines offer seats with more legroom, either in a higher cabin or through the ability to purchase bulkhead/emergency row seats, if a passenger opts not to utilise that feature that's their problem not everyone else's.

 

[luutzu]

The airlines are giving people what they want. If people were prepared to pay for 34-36 inches of seat pitch then the airlines would provide it. Instead people are happy to pay $300 return to Bali/Thailand/Vietnam and then b!tch and moan about the lack of seat space. Airlines offer seats with more legroom, either in a higher cabin or through the ability to purchase bulkhead/emergency row seats, if a passenger opts not to utilise that feature that's their problem not everyone else's.

How does a reclined seat in front affect your knees?

Doesn't it push the area where your knees are forward and only affect the upper area?

If it does, whatever happen to just straighten your legs, rest it underneath the reclined seat?

Anyway, life must be pretty good to complain about air travel.