Should airlines start including etiquette brochures next to the safety cards in seat?

[InBurkeWeTrust]

For me it's the people that are bigger than a single seat as they start infringing on my space, but there's nothing I can really do about it.

Noise? I have earphones/headphones for that
Getting up? I normally travel with my GF and we take middle and window
Space and/or smell? FML

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Any time I can, I sit last row, on the aisle. Removes most of these issues. Plus, I usually let most other people get off the plane first anyway, so I can just sit back and read for another 15 minutes while people stand in aisles and grumble.

That works well until someone drops a big stinker in the bathroom that's right beside you (sometimes that guy is me )

[Huntingwhale]

The easy solution to the reclining issue is to turn around before the flight leaves, make friendly conversation with the person behind you. Once I'm settled in my seat I turn around, ask the person where they are headed, then ask them directly as I look them in the eye: ''will reclining my seat be an issue for you?". If it's some tall 6 foot+ guy he'll usually be honest and say something like how much of a burden being tall and flying is and we have a hearty chuckle. Ok no problem, I won't recline since we've now established a rapport that it will inconvenience you. If it's a smaller women or child, they usually say no problem. Recline away.

As for the arm rests, guy in the middle should absolutely have priority. But most people are inconsiderate jerks so what I've always done is sneeze/cough and cover with my arm. People beside you always notice and magically the arm rest is yours. Do this every couple hours so assert your dominance.

As for the pissing thing, I'm one of those guys who has to get up multiple times during the flight to piss. That's why I always book aisle seat so I can try not to inconvenience people. But sometimes I'll get the other seats and I'll have to ask someone to move. But before the flight takes off, I'll make small talk with them and just casually mention that I might have to disturb them and get up every once in a while to relieve myself. After that, all is good. I always piss right before I board the plane. But for some reason, I piss the most when I'm flying. I don't know if it has something to do with the A/C or altitude. But it's just the way I am.

Either way, a little small friendly chat with your neighbours goes a long way to making the flight easier for everyone. It sounds like some of you just sit in your own little bubble and don't say anything. No wonder people take advantage of you. We're all stuck in the same situation, so being polite and friendly goes a long way.

But really, the onus is on the airlines to make things better and more comfortable. But profit is the bottom line, so it's easy to see why comfort and space is sacrificed for cramming in as many people as possible and making as much $ as they can. But why make things more comfortable for the economy class, when you can charge and extra grand or 2 to sit in 1st class.

Don't get pissy with the people your flying with. Get pissed at the airlines for choosing greed over comfort.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Anti-recliners are so god damn annoying. The 3" behind my seat is my space. The 3" behind the seat in front of me is the person in front of me's space.

People who complain do so mostly out of hoity toity "don't invade my space" principles, not discomfort.

Agreed. It's rude to recline at meals, but otherwise the reclining buttons are there for a reason. Seriously, if we aren't meant to recline the seats at all, then disable the reclining function. As long as it's there, I will use it.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

But really, the onus is on the airlines to make things better and more comfortable. But profit is the bottom line, so it's easy to see why comfort and space is sacrificed for cramming in as many people as possible and making as much $ as they can. But why make things more comfortable for the economy class, when you can charge and extra grand or 2 to sit in 1st class.

Don't get pissy with the people your flying with. Get pissed at the airlines for choosing greed over comfort.

The changes in the airline industry are market-driven. It's not an especially profitable business. Carriers have expanded their business by making flying cheaper - much cheaper - than it was in the past. One of the ways they've made it much cheaper is by cutting costs. That means a less pleasant flying experience for passengers.

We could return to the comfort and dignity of air travel 30 years ago. Back then everyone had plenty of leg room, free food and drink, and people actually dressed up and minded their manners on an airplane. But who would be willing to pay those prices today? Flying used to be a luxury that the upper-middle class indulged in once every couple years or so. Now it's a common means of transportation for everyone. Should we be surprised flying today has the all the charm of a Greyhound bus trip?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. It's rude to recline at meals, but otherwise the reclining buttons are there for a reason. Seriously, if we aren't meant to recline the seats at all, then disable the reclining function. As long as it's there, I will use it.

Let's keep in mind the "reason." If the reason is for you to lean back and relax and maybe get some sleep; sure. Go right ahead.

If the reason is so that you can maximize your personal bubble of space; at the expense of somebody else's space, that's where I have an issue. Like somebody said earlier; often I see somebody doing it and then going ahead and leaning forward or to the side.

The same plane that makes a 3:00 pm trip from Calgary to Vancouver will sometimes also be used as a red-eye overnight flight from Calgary to Toronto. So it's not like you say where "the button is there, so I'm going to use it." The button is there to be used when etiquette permits.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The changes in the airline industry are market-driven. It's not an especially profitable business. Carriers have expanded their business by making flying cheaper - much cheaper - than it was in the past. One of the ways they've made it much cheaper is by cutting costs. That means a less pleasant flying experience for passengers.

We could return to the comfort and dignity of air travel 30 years ago. Back then everyone had plenty of leg room, free food and drink, and people actually dressed up and minded their manners on an airplane. But who would be willing to pay those prices today? Flying used to be a luxury that the upper-middle class indulged in once every couple years or so. Now it's a common means of transportation for everyone. Are we surprised flying today has the all the charm of a Greyhound bus journey?

Honestly I'm cool with cheaper operating costs so that everyone can partake in flying. To be honest, it's like what Louis CK says when flying. I'm partaking in the god damn miracle of flight. Something that wasn't possible not that long ago. All these odds and ends about being inconvenienced honestly don't bother me. I'm not tall, so recline away if you want. I'll forget about it in a couple minutes. If someone wants the arm rest, let them have it. Probably hasn't been wiped all year. People have to piss/poo. If someone needs to get up to do it, so be it. I can't sleep on planes anyways so I don't mind getting up. Smells don't bother me, and I have noise cancelling earbuds for any child screaming.

I wasn't alive 30 years ago to experience the luxurious flights you described. And I'll never fly first/business class unless my company pays for it on a business trip. But I'm grateful as hell to be even able to fly across the world in a single day. I guess I'm just lucky I can tune most things out.

[Cappy]

I hate the reclining function. Just sit straight for 4 hours.

That being said, I usually choose two areas on flights. The back row (where there is a wall behind you) or behind the exit aisle.

The back row allows you to recline without feeling like a dick. The exit aisle seats do not recline.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Let's keep in mind the "reason." If the reason is for you to lean back and relax and maybe get some sleep; sure. Go right ahead.

Sure. I only recline when I'm trying to get some sleep.

[polak]

I wanted to beat the living hell out the child behind me on a flight from Calgary to Frankfurt once. Kept grabbing the monitor/headrest and shaking it back and forth like spastic demon with epilepsy. I turned around and the dad looked at me with that look like there was nothing he could do. Spineless chump.

Luckily, I put 17 nytols in the kids drink when they weren't looking and I believe he may have croaked somewhere over Greenland. Then I was woken up from that fantastic dream by epilepsyfan101@hotmail.com and said screw it and got drunk instead.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by temple5

For me its the seat recliner folks.

The seats arent designed nor spaced for the seats to recline and not have a negative impact on the passenger to the back.

Thats why every flight for me, the first 30 minutes is about seat domination where I put my knees close enough to the seat in front that if it tries to recline will hit my knees. Its an uncomfortable 30 minutes but well worth it.

Actually, they are designed to recline. That's why there's a button that makes the seat recline when you press it.

I would certainly call an attendent to deal with the situation if you were sitting behind me.

A seat reclines, what, 3" at the top? Rough geometry puts that at about half an inch at the knees, if that. For a very very small segment of the population would that half inch be a step change in comfort. People who don't fit in that very small segment (I'll roughly put it at about 6'6" and over) are just principled a-holes.

My rules of reclining:
1) Check if the person is a giant. If they are, ask and follow their answer. If they're not, I'm doing it regardless.
2) Check to make sure there's nothing on their table that you're going to push off or squish (sometimes the top of a computer fits right under the top lip of where the tray goes and reclining could potentially damage the screen.
3) Let them know politely that I am going to put my seat back.
4) Put it back slowly.

[The Ditch]

How big is everyone that reclining is such a problem, the seat barely goes back I have a hard time believing it is anything more than a slight irritant to most people. I don't recline, and when people do I think oh this is slightly annoying like everything in flying whatever.

People who spill over onto my seat are the worst, especially when they're touching you and they're so hot and then the smell comes, though I don't say anything because they probably already feel like a chump as it is.

Overhead warriors are annoying but I will check my luggage and just have something small to put under my seat so i'm not using the overhead I just let them all duke it out, two carry on larger than they should be with a summer tote the size of a checked luggage yeah ok.

Everything to do with flying is annoying basically.

[ernie]

There is no problem with reclining the seat except for those people who as the poster above said are principled a-holes.

Unless you are very tall it doesn't change a thing. As mentioned. Make sure the tray is up before doing so and then go ahead. At meal times or potentially if requested for legitimate reasons bring it back up. Or recline only part way if that is all.

I'll tell you this, in 100% of my flights I have the no-recline warrior behind me I also have the guy who can't get out of a seat without pulling on headrests behind me. The headrest is mine. That couple of inches recline space is mine. Get over it. And typically the anti-recline guys have no issues reclining their own seats.

Also note the person above who said they'll prop the knees up for the first 30 minutes so the person who wants to recline can't....I've never lost that battle. Ever. For the most stubborn (very few) it may need a "tell daddy" moment where the flight attendant has to remind the guy the recline space is mine. But I won't lose the battle.

Even better was on my flight back from Japan in November where the flight attendant knew I had back issues (we had discussed it the way over a couple weeks earlier). I had a anti-recline warrior behind me who wouldn't give up. Without prompting she moved the guy out of his seat the one of the two empty seats left in the plane...right at the back. In the middle of a 5 or 6 pack. In the seats that can't recline. By the neverending opening and closing bathroom doors. Right in front of him the other empty seat so he wouldn't have recline issues. Let him know that seats are to be allowed to recline and if that was an issue he can upgrade next time. Then she showed me how to get around the button to allow the seat to lean back more!

[Ace]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. It's rude to recline at meals, but otherwise the reclining buttons are there for a reason. Seriously, if we aren't meant to recline the seats at all, then disable the reclining function. As long as it's there, I will use it.

Most of the planes I've been on has the tray table attached to the arm rests (or the lower part of the seat in front of you), it doesn't move if the person in front of you reclines. Am I missing something.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Ace

Most of the planes I've been on has the tray table attached to the arm rests, it doesn't move if the person in front of you reclines. Am I missing something.

It's nicer at meals times if the person behind you has a wine bottle or something. Taller objects can be interfered with.

But it's not a big deal. At all. For people that it really bothers they are free to upgrade their seat. If they don't want to do that they are free to shut the hell up.

[CroFlames]

I hate the recline too, but I never make a big deal out of it. The seats are designed like that. But I think it's common courtesy to maybe look behind yourself and assess the situation. I'll recline if I notice the person behind me is reclining. Taste of his own medicine.

As a tall man, nothing about flying is nice.

I think my biggest pet peeve is grabbing the head rest when getting up and jolting your seat around.

2nd is really large people going down the aisle, bumping every person with either their stomach or their ass.

I had a large lady sit beside me once and she kinda crossed her arms to try and minimize herself. She turned to me and said sorry because she was still spilling over. I thought that was kinda nice, but at the same time, maybe do something about it? Lose weight or buy 2 seats.

[Tron_fdc]

Flying is as annoying as you make it to be. I fly quite a bit, and the less I pay attention to everything around me the better I feel.

- Headphones to cancel noise. No screaming babies.
- Samsung note 3 loaded with movies. No IFE? No problem.
- My own snacks
- I preboard, so who cares about bin space
- I have Nexus, who cares about lines anymore
- I understand the need for security, so why get upset at them? No rush.

As far as reclining, I don't care. Recline away. Just don't do it fast, I may have a drink on my tray or something close to the back of the seat. Go slow, it won't matter.

[Dion]

Putting an end to the armrest wars

This one, presented as a solution to the passive-aggressive nudging battle over the armrest, is less likely to cause plane-diverting fights. Indeed, the Soarigami—a plastic armrest divider—aims to be a peacemaker, putting an end to the “elbow war.”

Styled in plastic to resemble an origami airplane made out of an airmail envelope, the Soarigami attaches to any existing armrest, extending the space for both passengers while decisively splitting the space with a raised wall. It folds for easy transport, and is set to go on sale in early 2015 for $30.

http://www.soarigami.com/pages/design

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by Cappy

...
The back row allows you to recline without feeling like a dick. The exit aisle seats do not recline.

On most planes, it's the seats in front of the exit aisles that do not recline (so to not block the exit in case of evacuation)

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Flying is as annoying as you make it to be. I fly quite a bit...
- I preboard, so who cares about bin space
...

Do you pre-board because you have to (need extra time or assistance in boarding, are travelling with children or animals), or because you want to?

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Flying is as annoying as you make it to be. I fly quite a bit, and the less I pay attention to everything around me the better I feel.

- Headphones to cancel noise. No screaming babies.
- Samsung note 3 loaded with movies. No IFE? No problem.
- My own snacks
- I preboard, so who cares about bin space
- I have Nexus, who cares about lines anymore
- I understand the need for security, so why get upset at them? No rush.

As far as reclining, I don't care. Recline away. Just don't do it fast, I may have a drink on my tray or something close to the back of the seat. Go slow, it won't matter.

Nexus sucks no one should get it