**VENT**

[alw1977]

Pete - for the sake of argument (b/c I'm a lawyer and so are you and that's what we do), let's examine your comparison of tapping out a loud tune on your tray to putting your seat back. The ability to recline the seat is a built in feature of the plane -- something there for you as the passenger to use if you so choose. The tray is a built-in feature as well, but tapping out a drum solo is not using the tray for its intended purpose. When a passenger reclines, they are using that feature of the plane the way it was intended to be used.

Let's examine another plane feature - the reading light. Would you take exception to your neighbor using the reading light on an evening flight when you wanted to sleep and failed to bring an eye mask?

Let's agree to disagree, and hope that I never end up in front of you on a plane!

[waterguy]

I don't have a problem with people reclining during the flight but I have a problem with them doing it at take off and landing when they were told not to also the people that won't shut off there electronics. I was once on a flight that missed it take off spot when some one wouldn't sit down and we had to wait 45 min for the next opening.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Pete - for the sake of argument (b/c I'm a lawyer and so are you and that's what we do), let's examine your comparison of tapping out a loud tune on your tray to putting your seat back. The ability to recline the seat is a built in feature of the plane -- something there for you as the passenger to use if you so choose. The tray is a built-in feature as well, but tapping out a drum solo is not using the tray for its intended purpose. When a passenger reclines, they are using that feature of the plane the way it was intended to be used.

Let's examine another plane feature - the reading light. Would you take exception to your neighbor using the reading light on an evening flight when you wanted to sleep and failed to bring an eye mask?

Let's agree to disagree, and hope that I never end up in front of you on a plane!

I always say that the worst part about being a lawyer is having to deal with other lawyers...they always want to argue.

Let's take another feature on a plane...the latch on the restroom door. Why is it there? (And don't say to turn the light on.) It's there because we can't count on everyone having the courtesy to knock when confronted with a closed door. So, we lock the doors.

By analogy, I should be able to use those knee protector gizmos to keep your seat from reclining because I know that you won't ask first.

Common courtesy...is that too much to ask?

The fault, of course, lies with the airlines. They stick us in steerage and let the law of the jungle rule.

[turtlegirl]

With the tightening of space between rows, I think the airlines should take away the reclining feature. Then flight attendants wouldn't have to continually remind people at take-off and landing and passengers wouldn't have their knees bashed! Although that would cost them money...

[Pickle]

One time on a flight to St. Thomas, a guy sitting across the aisle from me was refusing to put his seat up when a woman behind him nicely asked him if he wouldn't mind. It was obvious that he did mind. Then she explained him that she'd recently had a knee surgery and his seat was pushing against her knees, but he didn't seem to care. She was kind of large in figure and her knees were almost touching the seat in front of her to begin with. Anyway, now she and her friend were pissed. Her friend even slapped his seat in frustration - he turned around half way and then ignored it.

After the woman spoke with a flight attendant, the flight attendant asked the guy very nicely to put his seat up. He responded in an adamant tone "I paid for this seat." Of course, the flight attendant could not force him and left. In a little while, the flight attendant came back to the guy and whispered him something that I couldn't hear. The guy seemed rather pleased and quickly put his seat up. I was like "?"...
And then the guy and his companion were served with beer and wine. I turned to my husband and said "That's how you get free alcohol in Economy Class."

[soxfan22]

I am 6' 1". I am a seat recliner, though I do usually poke my head around and ask the person behind me if they mind. Never had an objection.

[soxfan22]

[quote="Pete (Mr. Marcia)"Just because you can do something doesn't mean that it is the right thing. [/quote]

"Just because you have the right to do something, that doesn't make it the right thing to do."
Ah Pete, maybe my favorite quote of all time.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Hey Sox, good to hear from you outside the political realm.

Are you a Patriots fan? What's the word on Wes Welker? I have him in my geek fantasy league. What's the local word on whether he'll play this week?

[pipanale]

I have done this to an annoying recliner (I, personally, am not one. I fly a lot and do all I can not to be "that guy" when on a plane.). Take the air vent, turn it to full blast and aim it at their head. It works.

Seat recliners annoy me but not as much as the guy who on a flight 2 weeks ago, ripped one off that choked the whole plane. The only funny part was everyone else looking at each other with one of those "Was THAT you?" looks.

And, don't hog my arm rest. I know I chose the window so I could sleep and turn my back on you, but there's no need to slop over into my seat. It's not my fault, you were stupid enough to only be in the "C" group on Southwest. I warn you, if you do so, I may have to fight back. And by fight back, I mean go to sleep and start dropping bombs on you. I've done it.

If I ever won a large sum of money, I would not buy fancy houses or cars. I want a jet. I never want to have to see all you rubes when I fly. Ever again.

[liamsaunt]

Hmm...pipinale, I am of the opinion that if you are in the window seat, the arm rest on your right mostly belongs to the person in the middle seat. On planes like Jet Blue, the TV controls for the middle seat are on the top of the arm rest next to the window seat. The window seat's arm rest is the one by the window.

However, I am in total agreement about spillage. No encroachment please, no matter where you are sitting.

You know what I wish planes had? Folding foot rests. Something that could fold down after you stuff your bag under the seat that would elevate your feet a little bit. I bet that would make being cramped in that space a little more comfortable.

Pete, Welker was not at practice the other day. Not that that means anything.

PS: I do not own "knee defenders." I was just pointing out that they exist, and that, for now at least, they are legal to use.

[soxfan22]

Hey Pete - Welker was at the media portion of Wednesday's practice - not sure if that helps. Look, the Pats probably have to go 4-0 in their final 4 to make the playoffs...I would be shocked if Welker didn't play. He's a tough SOB.

Here's a report from one of our local guys...

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[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Thanks Sox. I also like Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe. One year I had Corey Dillon as one of my RBs. As you know, the Pats are notorious for not releasing accurate information on injuries. And, Dillon was often injured. Mike Reiss actually would email me about Dillon's status. Stuff like, "watched him at practice today and he seemed to be cutting on the ankle with no problem." It was pretty nice of him and pretty pathetic on my part.

[soxfan22]

Yeah, Reiss is very good. We have another guy up here, Michael Felger, who rubs many the wrong way. He actually happens to be from Wisconsin. He tends to be very cynical...I actually like him...But anyway, he's pretty good too. If you want the "afficianado" (that's probably spelled wrong - whatever) on the Patriots last 10 years, you gotta go to Michael Holley...Michael wrote a book called "Patriot Reign" in which he was given unprecedented access to the Pats by Belichik, Kraft, and Pioli. As you know, the Pats just don't play the media game...They withold information, play with injury status, etc...So the fact that Holley gained their trust enough to write this insiders' account is pretty impressive. You can also hear him from 10am - 2pm on the Dale and Holley show on WEEI (streaming). It's pretty much for me the only show that is listenable on that station...The others are all shouting matches (well, except the morning show with Dennis and Callahan...I like them).

BTW...Pretty impressive that Reiss was sending you status on Dillon. Loved that guy...The Pats running game hasn't been the same since, mostly because Maroney has pretty much been a bust...Maroney split time in the Univ of Minnesota backfield with Marion Barber...The Pats got the wrong former Gopher back.

Who are your other WR's?

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

My WRs suck. Colston, Dominick Hixon, Little Wes and whatever scrub I can pick up on the waiver wire today. I made the playoffs due to Cassel, Chris Johnson, Westbrook and the Ravens D.

Are you a fantasy geek like me?

[chicagoans]

The things we put ourselves through to travel! We've got the over-recliners in front of us (just hope I don't sneeze mister, 'cuz you're thisclose to my face!), seat hogs next to us trying to take up some of the space we paid for (hey, I get half that arm rest buddy!), and my favorite, the people behind me who can't get into or out of their own seat without yanking on the back of mine. (Yep, that's a handful of my hair you got there pal.)