News of inflight fights, diverted flights, and police calls remind me of an episode of SWAT or the old Airport movies, maybe even “Snakes on a Plane.” Instead, this is no Hollywood drama, it’s real life, and it’s getting out of hand. I’ve covered coach cabin etiquette and attitude before:
And I’m sure a few more too. The latest of these incidents happened yesterday when a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to West Palm Beach diverted to Jacksonville, FL due to a couple of passengers quarreling over reclining. Apparently, someone was trying to sleep on their tray table (never got that one either, but if it works for you, more power to you) when the person in front of them reclined. There was a bit of a spat, and according to multiple news sources, the flight diverted and one of the individuals was booted off the flight.
(On Soapbox)
OK people, I’ve tried the let’s all work together approach. Obviously, it’s not our fault that the airlines put those rows of seats too close together. It is our fault when we act like numbnuts, cause flight diversions, and inconvenience numerous other travelers. An airplane cabin isn’t romper room. It’s an aluminum (or composite) tube, laden with kerosene, and moving along around 9 miles a minute a few miles above the ground. Seriously, get it together!
(Off Soapbox) đŸ™‚
-MJ, September 2, 2014
[…] Reclining Incidents Come in Three’s (I Hope) […]
You know there is a very simple to this problem. All airlines should design their seats like CX economy. I flew it internationally in economy (long flight to be stuck in economy and in the middle seat) but their entertainment system is a saving grace. Anyway, back to the point — CX economy has these seats that are non reclinable (so that it takes up space of the person behind you), but it does allow recline in which seat moves forward (so you get less legroom). But at least this way, there is still a recline and there wouldn’t be… Read more »
Of cause there is no excuse on the behaviour on such passengers… but on the other side, were all these three situations really so bad that there was no other than diverting the flights? I cant really judge, since i was not on board of eighter flight, but I would assume that it is still possible to seat a woman who was throwing water somewhere different and threat them with the consequenzes before acutally devinding the flights. Seems to me that they were pretty quick with these decisions… To divide the plane means an unconvenient delay for the passengers, a… Read more »
Don’t know about the sales rates of the “pay more” seats, but I do know that United incident happened in their Economy Plus section according to news reports.
I agree. But wonder whether it is time for a little push back against the airlines. Bad pun. But really. They should not treat their customers to such a bad product that fights break out.
I wonder about the “pay more” for extra leg room seats. Do those sell out before the regular seats? Especially the middle seats? Or do people just buy them when everything else is full?
Totally agree. Some people need to take a deep breath or a Xanex.
By the way, I love to use the term numbnuts but it needs the b to give respect to its origins.
Ha. Thanks for the correction, Captain!