Your comfort is all we care about when flying the friendly skies.
If the flight is long or taking off late at night, reclining your airplane seat is a nice feature. However, there are a few etiquette rules to consider when pushing the recline button.
We’ve all been on board with the traveler who behaves as though their comfort is all that matters.
- They are the ones who act like the flight attendant is their personal valet there to satisfy every whim at the snap of a command or push of a button.
- They are the ones who want their drink before anyone else because they’ve had a rough day.
- They are the ones who want the germ-infested pillow and blankie right away, or worse, bring the smelly night-sweat pillow from home.
- They are the ones who settle into their aisle seat and become annoyed because you need to get to your window seat.
- They are the ones who press and push on the screen which is embedded in seat in front of them, giving no regard to the constant head bounce the person in front of them endures.
- They are the ones who pound on their laptop which sits on the attached tray table, once again, giving the person in front of them a jolt every time they press “enter.”
- They are the ones whose knees open wide, spreading into your space.
- And, they are the ones who recline their seat without regard, and flip-up like a thunderbolt.
“I paid for my seat and all of the amenities that come with it! And darn it, I’m gonna take full advantage of it. Why shouldn’t I?” Says, the inconsiderate, selfish, arrogant passenger.
Why don’t you kick off your shoes, pull out that onion-filled tuna sandwich and burp it up while you’re at it? You are in a public place–not at home.
Should my comfort require your discomfort?
Before your recline, consider this:
- We don’t have to recline our seat all the way–especially if the flight is short.
- We can recline our seat slowly, giving the person behind us a little warning–the same when we pop back into place.
- If it is a designated meal-time or awake time (for most), we can maintain our seat in the upright position, or only slightly reclined.
- Or, smuggle* in the “Knee Defender”, hoping we don’t get caught? By the way, this clever device is banned on all airlines. To see how it works: YouTube: FareCompare’s Grumpy Santa… (Do not bring on board; merely said in jest.)
Final thoughts: Airline travelers, use common sense, consideration, and self-control when flying. If you want more room, it is available, pay for it. You aren’t any more special than the others in coach, if you were, wouldn’t you be up in first-class? Hmm? In fact, if you want leg room that much, why not charter a private jet? Then you would not only have a chair to yourself, but an entire plane!
Helping Businesses and Individuals Find Success Through Better Communication and Social Skills
Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, Social Skills and Civility Presenter, Media Source, and author of “Don’t Burp in the Boardroom.”
Presentations are available to support HR policies, sales teams, up and coming managers, millennials & new-hire orientation process, service technicians, professional development events, conferences, college/university students, interns. For more information, please contact me, 650.871.6200.
