To the poster asking if he was the unreasonable one, I would say, yes you were being unreasonable. Once you saw the predicament each man was randomly stuck in, there was little to be gained by you “chiding” or fussing at the tall guy. Yes, it would have been wiser for him to buy a seat with more leg room, but this flight was only 90 minutes, so just hush and deal with it.
I didn’t say a word when the guy behind me kneed me in the back several times on a 4+ hour red eye on the trip back from Thanksgiving. Hellish hours. Instead of reclining, which I wanted to do but was unable because he pushed against me, I tried to use my tray table as a resting spot. It was awful. My first red eye, and it may well be my last, but did I say anything? No. It would’ve made matters worse, I’m sure. Do I wish he would’ve paid for one of the exit row seats? Yes, but I can’t force him. There were two rows of empty seats there.
When I book a flight, the online service has a picture of the aircraft, with all the available seats. I pick my seat. I paid for that seat. I will not trade my seat for a lesser seat bacause you failed to book early enough to sit with your family. Unless you have a better seat than mine to trade.
My seat comes with a little button, that allows it to recline.
I paid for that button and its function. I will use it. I will not accommodate someone who has failed to plan ahead and book a seat that accommodates them.
No, you cannot put your feet or any other body part on the armrest that I paid for. It will get thumped.
You cannot use any part of your body, up to and including your hair, to interfere with the full use of my seat. It will get pulled, dunked into my drink or filled with food.
I am sick and tired of being forced to accommodate the stupid and the inconsiderate.
Exactly, nothing but hate and discontent can be gained by chastising a man after the fact.