Not to highjack this thread, but I have travelled all over the world and have always respected the person in front of me being able to recline even if it is uncomfortable for me to work. If I really wanted more room I would buy a Business or 1st class ticket.
BUT
What the passenger behind me does NOT have the right to do is let their 4 year old kick my seat, climb on my seat, throw his food, scream just for the heck of it (I do understand little kids and the pressure at landing. I can forgive that.). I try with the partents first then with the cabin staff.
Leaving tomorrow for Ireland and England. Cheerio.....
I'm totally with you there, buddy. I cannot STAND little kids behind me kicking my seat, screaming in my vicinity (it reverberates so much more in the confines of a plane), standing up on their seat and touching my head, etc. Since I paid good money for my seat on the plane, I believe I am entitled to sit there in peace and read, watch the movie, etc. without disturbances like this. I give the parent about 30 seconds to get their kid to stop kicking, touching, or throwing stuff on me. After that, I will tell the kid to stop. Screaming, I leave correction to the parents.
As for reclining, I paid for my seat, I'm gonna recline if it's more comfortable for me to sit like that. I never recline full back, just a little bit. And I don't snap my seat backwards suddenly to spill my back neighbor's drink or something. If the back neighbor was employing a "Knee Defender" or some such garbage, I'd have the stewardess take it away from them. Those things are illegal on most major airlines.