Comments on: Have No Fear, Knee Defender is Here!

By: Tall Man

Tall Man — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:02:26 +0000

I am 6′6″ and I used Knee Defenders just last week on a trip from IAD to LAS. I actually have to compress my kneecaps to fit my legs between the seat rows - I have to move the magazines out of the pocket just to fit in, because my knees push against the seat in front of me. Airlines are reducing the amount of service they offer, and flying fewer planes. My flights were all full; there were no magic bulkhead or exit rows available. Here’s a bulletin to all you self-entitled recliners: you’re not going to recline your seat if you’re sitting in front of me anyway. I can either use this product to support your weight instead of my knees, or I can violently shove your seat back as you recklessly slam back into me again and again.

By: TJ

TJ — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:00:18 +0000

Delta airlines will not allow the use of knee defender, it doesn’t matter if the user claims that FAA has not banned its use. Don’t even try it, I know so, I’m a flight attendant for Delta airlines.

By: Jan Douw

Jan Douw — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:21:37 +0000

To all you tall travelers out there:

How about simply planning ahead and surfing to http://www.seatguru.com/ to get that optimal seat?

Happy trails,

By: HHB

HHB — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:46:06 +0000

Hello,
re Knee defenders..
knee defenders do Not interfere with aircraft operation.
HOWEVER, if a pilot or flight attendant decide to ask you to remove them, what is the situation.
if you refuse, you can be charged with flight crew interference…and that can lead to a charge of interference with the safe operation of an aircraft while in flight.
I hope it will never come to a situation like this. My friend, a AC Capt. on the AB A340-600, on the orient run, suggested to ask the crew OK before using them………OR write to the airline and get their ok in writing…..
have a great day
HHB

By: Marjorie

Marjorie — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:36:52 +0000

I don’t think these coach seats ought to recline—not if the airlines are going to stuff us in like sardines. Does that tiny bit of reclining REALLY mean so much in terms of comfort? I doubt it means as much to one’s own seat-comfort as it does to the dis-comfort of the person behind.

Two years ago I flew Air France coach from BOS to CDG (it was indeed this experience that created my mantra of “I’ll never fly coach again”). Air France’s seats were SO close together that one could literally not use the tray-table AT ALL if the seat in front was reclined (the flight attendants made an announcement about this before serving the meal, and enforced the rule.

But the fun really began after the meal, when people went to sleep. I was in the window seat [i.e. one person between me and the aisle]. The person next to me….whom I shall refer to here as “Smelly Guy”….fell asleep. But the person in front of Smelly Guy was reclined. I was trapped. In addition, I was wearing a skirt.

So when I finally had to use the toilet, my options were pretty limited. Because of the reclined guy in front of S.G., I couldn’t get by S.G. without what might have been mistaken for a sexual movement.

Ergo, I got to wake up TWO people, neither of whom was too happy. Even then, squeezing by S.G., was a bit more familiar than I prefer to be with strangers. It was a disgusting experience.

One wonders what would have happened in an emergency. It would have taken true dexterity to get out of that seat in a quick fashion.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:47:45 +0000

OMG, I have been reading about this device for over a year. I only fly about 3-4 times a year. But like many others, it is not my favorite thing to do. Therefore, I sleep on the flight. I pay for my ticket in a seat that reclines. That is what it is meant for. I can only hope the person behind me will do their work at the office and take this time to recline also. But as this is my paid for reclining seat, I will do just that and wake up at my destination. Get over it.

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:31:46 +0000

I agree, the fault here lies with the airlines as well as with rude people. There are few things more dreadful than having your flight cancelled, so you lose your carefully-preselected bulkhead or front-of-the-plane aisle seat, only to get dumped on the next flight that’s now totally full, shoe-horned into a middle seat with ABSOLUTELY NO LEG ROOM behind some bozo who constantly flings himself against his seat back then reclines violently, when you’re also next to the seatmates-from-hell. Then you sit on the tarmac for hours…AAARRGH!!!

But I also have a wonderful-airline story. There are two discount carriers in Australia, Virgin Blue and Jetstar. I flew both of them in June, and they are incredible. New planes, leather seats, plenty of room, and the friendliest flight attendants and best service anywhere! I also called from the States before my trip to change two flight reservations, and, as is typical of the wonderful Australian attitude, it was “No worries!” U.S. airlines should send their people to Australia for training and also take a look at the “cheap” airlines’ aircraft!!!

By: Cookie Lover

Cookie Lover — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:26:12 +0000

One way to avoid the person in front of you on a flight to end up in your lap is to fly Midwest Airlines when possible!

This is a fantastic airline with leather seats, only two seats on each side of the plane, extra leg room, and a console that is about 6 inches between you and your neighbor. There is a little pull-down foot rest and the best part–warm chocolate chip cookies baked on board on all flights after 10 AM for free!

Customer service is still important to this airline. When they asked me to move to an exit row to accommodate a child who couldn’t sit in the assigned seat, they actually offered me a free cocktail for my “inconvenience.” To show you the space on the exit row seat, I put my feet out and had a difficult time reaching the foot rest due to the amount of space!
The flight attendants and pilots are friendly and never fail to thank you for your business at departure.

Rates are very reasonable, too! If they don’t fly to your destination, keep checking. They are expanding their flight schedule frequently. Give them a try and encourage a company who genuinely remembers what good customer service is all about.

By: Right to Recline

Right to Recline — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:03:15 +0000

I agree - each and every seat has the right to recline. It is the responsibility of the person with knee issues to reserve a seat with more legroom (e.g. bulkhead, exit, first class, economy plus, etc.)

It’s easy to find these seats. Everytime I travel I am asked at the airport or online when I print my boarding pass if I want to pay a nominal fee to upgrade to a seat with more room.

Whether we are tall, large, short, or skinny - we all think the cramped seating is terrible . If you want to complain about it, talk to the airlines, not the person in front of you.

Using the knee defender is completely selfish.

By: john saenz

john saenz — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:46:16 +0000

The problem…as clearly stated is IN THE AIRLINES not the person in front…COMPLAIN TO THE AIRLINES AND TO THE FAA…WE Are keeping them in buisness SO WHY DO WE HAVE TO TAKE THE ABUSE..all it itake is ONE AIRLINE to change and the word of mouth or advertising will spread and I will fly an airline because of more leg room..the airline s take notice of profit and loss…DONT FALL FOR AMERICAAN AIRLINES -WE GIVE YOU MORE LEG ROOM LIES…..they DO NOT give more leg room …THEY NEED TO BE SUED FOR FALSE ADVESRTISMENT
COLLECTIVELY if we band together WE CAN make a change
john saenz