Posted on 09/02/2014 6:33:02 AM PDT by Wolfie
Flight From LaGuardia to Florida Diverted Over Reclining Seat
A flight from LaGuardia International Airport to Palm Beach International Airport had to divert after a pair of passengers got into a fight over a reclining seat, according to published reports.
Delta airlines told NBC affiliate WPTV in West Palm Beach that Flight 2370 landed in Jacksonville, Florida, “due to safety reasons in regard to a passenger issue.”
A witness on the plane told WPTV that a woman who was knitting tried to recline her seat, angering a woman who was trying to sleep on the tray table.
The two argued, with the woman who was trying to sleep getting angry and cursing. A flight attendant came over, the witness said, and she demanded that the flight land at the nearest airport.
"She said something to the fact that 'I don't care about the consequences, put this plane down now,'" he said.
The passenger was escorted off the plane by police when it landed at Jacksonville International Airport, WPTV reports. The rest of the passengers then continued on to Palm Beach.
It's the second time recently that a flight out of the tri-state had to be diverted because of an argument over reclining seats. On Aug. 24, a flight from Newark was diverted when passengers got into an dispute after one passenger attached a clip to a tray table that prevented the person in front from reclining.
Ever have your lap-top open on the tray, or a can of coke and then the yahoo reclines and either knocks over the coke can or starts to ‘bend’ your screen? Most sane people would consider that intruding on your space.
Why not have reclining seats that take you all the way back. . no intrusion on personal space there, as long as the seat can recline it is now ‘your’ space? Interesting.
But hey, recline all you want so your head is mere inches away from my face. . .just be prepared to receive a few wet sneezes onto your head due to your shampoo/and or dandruff.
Don’t fly coach anymore so don’t have to deal with you.
Happy flying. . .
That's true on most airliners. The answer is to not be late in checking in to get an earlier boarding pass, or on other airlines to not wait until the last minute to book.
In either case, I wouldn't want the last person to book to control the seat reclines for everyone else, just because their seat won't recline.
Of course, this was less of a problem when the airlines offered more space between rows.
Over the years, the airlines increased and decreased row spacing as a marketing campaign or to relieve fuel cost pressures. On the one hand, they would advertise more leg room over their competitors, and on the other hand they would maximize profits per flight by cramming more people into a plane. Now they have "economy plus" in the front with more leg room (and +$50 per seat), and regular economy behind.
Maybe what's next is a new generation of seat that only reclines if you pay an extra $7 for the privilege (just like for movies or internet now).
-PJ
Remember the days when the entertainment screens were overhead and you didn't have to worry about the seat in front of you?
Remember the days before laptops when the airlines didn't rely on you to provide your own entertainment?
Also, it's not your "right" to have a laptop on the tray. Read a book, use a tablet. Otherwise, make it work yourself. Put it on your lap.
Why not have reclining seats that take you all the way back. . no intrusion on personal space there, as long as the seat can recline it is now ‘your’ space? Interesting.
Have you ever traveled internationally in business class? These seats are the norm in business class. They fold back into a bed. Stay away from the "89%" recline seats, though. You really can't sleep in them. "90%" recline is the way to go.
But hey, recline all you want so your head is mere inches away from my face. . .just be prepared to receive a few wet sneezes onto your head due to your shampoo/and or dandruff.
That's okay. I always turn the blower on full and point it back to the seat behind me. It makes a wall of air that protects me.
Don’t fly coach anymore so don’t have to deal with you. Happy flying. . .
See you in jail, if you don't make the "no fly" list first! ;-)
-PJ
I fly international more than domestic. Hate domestic flights. . .too many entitled whiners wearing their PJs in the airport, many smell and act like they belong in a bus terminal somewhere.
Business international is good, even great depending on the airline. I find Emirates Airlines the best business class, though I would hazard a guess that Singapore Airlines would be up there (based on comments from people I know). How about you? Your favorite business class airline?
First class, now that is the way to fly international. Do that about half the time. Getting used to being pampered is something that takes no time at all.
I stay away from Airbus platforms as I find them odd, not quite sure what is wrong with them, but the feel is ‘odd.’
Seems foreign carriers remember what airline travel used to be and treat their customers with respect. . .of course, not the Russians. . .they are dangerous. . as any African airline is as well.
The tray is provided by the airlines for your use. Having a drink on that tray is normal, as is working on a lap-top. The airline made an implied contract when it provides the tray. . .that you can use it, and a can of coke is not unusual nor is the use of a lap-top unusual, and if the tray is not to be used for such a thing, take away the tray, as that is the only solution. However, what gives the person in front the preemptive right to recline? The button that allows them to?
Seems like the airlines created an issue by saying ‘here’s a tray for your use’ while at the same time telling the person in front of you they can decide if you get to use the tray for work or for a meal.
Last time I flew Alaskan Airlines (decades ago) I had the most narrow seat distances that I ever saw, so small that when the in-flight meal was delivered you had to pick up the meal and hold the drink in your hands because the seat in front when reclined would not allow any drink to be on the tray and the ‘plate/bowl’ would clear the seat-back but you couldn’t use your flat-wear without holding the plate/bowl in a hand.
Bottom line question: Who has the predominant right? The person that paid for the seat and the use of the tray, or the person that reclines and deprives that person of the right to use the tray.
Enjoy coach travel on your next international flight. . .I’ll send a drink you way, maybe even send my hand-scooped, hot fudge sundae to you. . .just to ease your pain.
Simple, make the seats stationary at an approved angle.
Agreed, if the airline didn't want people to recline they wouldn't have reclining seats. Passengers should EXPECT the person in fron will recline.
As passengers, we save 3% per ticket if they put in one extra row of seats and fill the plane. That’s enough for most people to choose a cramped flight over a roomier one. Seats are purchased as interchangeable commodities, but then we demand first class treatment. The real world does not work that way.
I usually recline my seat all the way if no one is behind me, half way if someone is back there. On a recent flight, a man in an upper-body cast asked if I would please keep my seat forward, so I did. He had a legitimate reason to ask for that space, and compliance seemed like good manners. I do not understand the people willing to get arrested over that “shared” space. As the reclining passenger, I paid for it, and the person behind me should be polite (either in permitting me to recline or in politely asking that I not do so if there is a real reason); it’s my decision whether to be considerate and to what extent to do so.
I have no problem with someone reclining per se, doesn’t bother me a bit. But if my legs are in the way, they’re in the way. They’re don’t detach.
Yep.
I don't fly that often. But when I have, it's been United. Once on Lufthansa. Once on KLM. Once on Singapore.
United in business class wasn't bad. It was a 777 so had the full amenities. The last one was on the newer double-decker, where the entire upper level was business class.
The Lufthansa business class (all upper level, too) didn't recline the way. That was bothersome.
The Singapore flight (a long time ago) was on a 747. I was in the upper deck. Also before full recline seating.
First class, now that is the way to fly international. Do that about half the time. Getting used to being pampered is something that takes no time at all.
I never had that pleasure. Full cocoon seating. Turn your seat into a private room.
The tray is provided by the airlines for your use. Having a drink on that tray is normal, as is working on a lap-top.
In business class, you have the room because the seat in front of you isolates its movement from you. Also, you have dedicated drink trays, too.
In economy, you get what you pay for. That's why it's called "economy." You can't expect business class accomodations, and then blame the person in the seat in front you for your own lack of space.
The airline made an implied contract when it provides the tray. . .that you can use it... However, what gives the person in front the preemptive right to recline? The button that allows them to?
The button has the same power as the tray. It's there for the customer's use. If "the airline made an implied contract when it provides the tray," didn't it make that same contract with the button, too?
when the in-flight meal was delivered you had to pick up the meal and hold the drink in your hands because the seat in front when reclined would not allow any drink to be on the tray and the ‘plate/bowl’ would clear the seat-back but you couldn’t use your flat-wear without holding the plate/bowl in a hand.
I've been there, too. To me, it's the aggravation that comes with traveling on today's American airliners.
Bottom line question: Who has the predominant right? The person that paid for the seat and the use of the tray, or the person that reclines and deprives that person of the right to use the tray.
Correction: Bottom line question: Who has the predominant right? The person that paid for the seat and the use of the tray, or the person that paid for the reclines and deprives that person of the right to use the tray.
It's a good question. To me, both paid for all the amenities that come with the seat. You're asking the rock-paper-scissors question, does tray beat recline?
-PJ
I disagree with the assumption that a reclined seat makes the tray useless. I've used trays with the seat in front reclined, what's the big problem?
Back in the day (now I only fly business or first class), when someone would recline into my space, odd, I would all of a sudden have sneezing fits. . .don’t know why, must be allergies to the shampoo of the person reclining into my space (that was my story). . .anyway, a few hacks of sneeze blowing in their hair, followed by loud sniffling makes them quickly stop reclining.
Laughing. I could imagine a few lines to your seat companion “I sure hope it’s just allergies to her shampoo! Because I was with Fred two days ago and he is sick as a dog with the flu right now. I think he caught it in Thailand....”
"she demanded that the flight land at the nearest airport"
(take me to Palm Beach!!)
"She said something to the fact that 'I don't care about the consequences, put this plane down now"
The more I think about it, the more it really does sound like hijacking. Well kitten, here are the consequences.
Yup. . .the rock-paper-scissors question. . .but the way the debates morphs. . .kind of more like the ‘ol rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock question. http://ridexc.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/rockpaperscissorslizardspock_by_iamthemiggy.jpg
Cheers,
Got a copy of the PMA approval? No, repeat, NO alterations to any equipment on certified aircraft is allowed without express approval from the FAA.
Seats are approved parts down to the number of rivets inb the seat pan. Anyone that pushes this will lose, period.
LOL. . .you owe me a new lap-top.
Hah.
;-)
Flying is now like taking a city bus with wings (and less seat space).
Forgot to add a snippet about Emerites business class.
Flew from LA direct to Dubai. . .15hr flight.
Great food, huge entertainment selections, absolutely gorgeous stewardesses. Stunning.
When I was ready to take a long nap, I rang the stewardess and she prepared the ‘bed’ by getting a small mattress that fit over the lay-flat seat, then she put linens on the bed and blanket. Awwww. . .everything taken care of. . .well. . .most everything.
;-)
-PJ
I will never fly again, I flew Tankers KC-135A thus my screen name, flew in the 80s and 90s all the time business, but never again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
