Annoying passengers [behind me pulling on my seat]

[tuapekastar]

I really like the positive philosophical view of flying. Such a great way to live life, be accepting and only sweat the major events.

I actually tried to move my aisle armrest on my last flight, was unable to do so and so had to hold back of seat in fronto of me to be able to stand up on a recent flight.
Somewhere on this site I remember seeing that there was a way to lift up the aisle arm rest . Anyone know where it was? JoyV

Typically a small 'button/lever' on the underside of the rest, at the rear. Requires a little fiddling to 'unlock' it.

 

[ashleyn]

Pretend you are scratching your right armpit with your right hand and you should find it.

 

[amaroo]

This happens all the time. Last week my seat was jerked more than a few times......when the gentlemen finally got up - he was simply an elderly bloke with mobility issues.

I go out of my way to assist/accommodate/tolerate someone like that when I'm on the ground.........no different at 35,0000 feet.

 

[jakplus1]

When they do this to me, getting up, I pay close attention to await their return. As they return I sneakily activate the recline button, without putting my weight on the seat back. These people invariably grab the seat back to sit down again. The few times I've managed to get the timing right they haven't grab the seat back again.

I am very careful not to grab and bump seats.

I find that politely asking rather than potentially injuring someone normally works for me.

They're going to fall all of 20cm into a relatively soft seat.

Or they could fall on the armrest and injure themselves.

 

[serfty]

...
I go out of my way to assist/accommodate/tolerate someone like that when I'm on the ground.........no different at 35,0000 feet.

No problem with tolerating and being nice and polite.

Even so, at 35,0000(sic) if I am trying to get some sleep, I would politely ask the PAX behind to desist ...

 

[drewbles]

When they do this to me, getting up, I pay close attention to await their return. As they return I sneakily activate the recline button, without putting my weight on the seat back. These people invariably grab the seat back to sit down again. The few times I've managed to get the timing right they haven't grab the seat back again.

I am very careful not to grab and bump seats.

Oh good. Glad to know i'm not the only one

I don't understand how people can be so inconsiderate as to just grab the seats as they climb out. It's just common courtesy (which, admittedly, is lost on the majority of travellers).

 

[harvyk]

Just out of interest to all those people who have "plans" to stop people touching their seat. What is wrong with saying "excuse me, could you please not do that?" It's amazing how far been polite but firm will get you.

So far those little words (or similar) have stopped people from using my seat as a hand hold, punching the IFE, turning on and off the overhead lights etc, aka all the annoyances that can happen when spending hours in close proximity with others in a metal tube.

Using those magic words usually means that within 5 minutes, the event is completely forgotten about, the behavior which trigger the words has ended, everyone is back to having an enjoyable flight, and everyone saves grace.

 

[drewbles]

Just out of interest to all those people who have "plans" to stop people touching their seat. What is wrong with saying "excuse me, could you please not do that?" It's amazing how far been polite but firm will get you.

So far those little words (or similar) have stopped people from using my seat as a hand hold, punching the IFE, turning on and off the overhead lights etc, aka all the annoyances that can happen when spending hours in close proximity with others in a metal tube.

Using those magic words usually means that within 5 minutes, the event is completely forgotten about, the behavior which trigger the words has ended, everyone is back to having an enjoyable flight, and everyone saves grace.

After being on more flights than I care to remember where a pax was abusive or loud/rowdy (and, in several instances, met by authorities at the other end for a "chat"), I can see why people, including myself, feel it easier to simply avoid direct confrontation/interaction with people they do not know.

I've also seen it where people have politely requested someone's child be stopped from kicking their seat back, and the parents just let loose at them for telling them how to parent their kids.

Humanity. Most hope is lost, and even moreso in a pressurised metal tube at 38000 feet.

 

[Pushka]

I don't like it when people grab my seat either. But how I'd show that depends totally on the mobility of the passenger.

Another thing that gripes is people wearing backpacks as they board and then blithely hit seated passengers as they make their way to their seats. And if they are stopped to wait, turn around to talk to their companions, oblivious to the fact they've swiped the heads of others.

 

[drron]

An easier way to get people to steer clear of you is to have a couple of coughs and mutter swine flu.It worked for me on Air asia in Thailand.

 

[boomy]

I met so many annoying pax in flights. Before I'm getting all agitated I try to remember that no matter what I'm going to do, I will be stuck next to them for the next few hours. Then I take a deep breath, close my eyes and try to relax.

 

[Moody]

Medhead - I like your tactic ... but it won't work with me.

I only "springboard" off the seat in front when they are a reclining pest who thinks that the space behind them must be claimed at all opportunities. I'm not talking about those that recline to sleep or because the person in front of them has reclined at an appropriate time ('coz I know it's hard to watch a movie when the screen is 10cm from your nose).

No - in that case I will do my best to contort my way out of my seat without disturbing the person in front. But treat my comfort with disdain and I will reciprocate.

 

[vetrade]

I'm touchy about strangers invading my personal space on flights and have (for example) no hesitation in confronting anyone who knees me in the back. Despite this my tolerance for "seat back grabbers" is quite high because I accept that the seat configuration makes it necessary for many people to hold on to something as they get in / out of their seat so they don't lose their balance. Stating the obvious, the reason is simple - the incline of the seat back encroaches on the space where you have to place your feet to get into the seat. So, while you're bending your body to slip between the seat rows it's logical for anybody other than a contortionist or a stick figure to hold the seat back to avoid the possibility of falling into the lap of other people in their row.

Those who can't accept this reality should either select a seat in the last row or pay extra to sit at the front of the plane.

 

[Pushka]

On a Virgin flight some years ago I tried to avoid touching the back of the seat in front as I know how much it annoys me when someone does that. But in doing do I was in the window seat and ended up with a really large bruise on the back of my leg from the very "sharp" arm rests which dragged across my legs. I was going on a beach holiday but the bruise was so large and ugly I felt uncomfortable in shorts and bathers etc.