Travelers who fly coach (like me) have increasing indignities to deal with on the airlines these days. From having to bring your own meal because the airlines aren't serving them anymore, to having to deal with your fellow passengers and all of their idiosyncrasies, air flight is necessary but practically unbearable anymore - at least domestically (you usually fare better, even in coach class, when you fly internationally on most airlines.)
One of my pet peeves has always been that the seats in coach recline TOO much. In a cabin where the airlines are trying to pack in as many warm, sweaty bodies as possible to break even, you'd think they would restrict the reclining features on the seats to make things more comfortable for everyone - and that means some people won't be able to recline as much as they would like.
Because you're not traveling in a vacuum - there ARE other people on board and they have rights, too. If you are stuck behind some inconsiderate slob (usually a man) who wants to recline his seatback all the way during the entire flight, you are literally trapped. You can't use your tray table comfortably. You can't get up to go to the bathroom without bumping him or the people next to you. And good luck trying to reason with the passenger's sense of compassion, because By God he PAID for that seat and he'll damn well recline it if he feels like it. Basically, you're screwed.
Or... ARE you? I just discovered what I think is the coolest travel innovation ever. If the airlines can't create conditions for their passengers that allow minimal inconvenience, then we have to take matters into our own hands. Check out the Knee Defender - little gadgets you can pack in your carry-on and use to BLOCK the seat in front of you from reclining!
If you're feeling generous, you can even adjust them to allow for a small amount of incline.
Of course it would be ideal if such clever innovations weren't necessary; if, for example, a passenger would bother to ASK you if it's OK to recline the seat before doing so. But in a world where manners and etiquette are sacrificed for convenience and speed, defending your space - and your knees - seems like the only answer.
Happy travels!
