Midair reclining seat dispute causes yet another flight to be diverted

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/02/midair-reclining-seat-dispute-causes-yet-another-flight-to-be-diverted/

Midair reclining seat dispute causes yet another flight to be diverted
By Reuters
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 12:34 EDT

An argument over leg room and reclining seats forced a Florida-bound flight from New York to divert to a different airport late on Monday, the third such incident of a midair disruption caused by passengers in about a week.

Delta Air Lines said that “out of an abundance of caution” the captain of Flight 2370 from New York La Guardia to West Palm Beach chose to land instead at the closest airport, Jacksonville, where local law enforcement removed one passenger.

It did not elaborate on the “disruption,” but a witness told Jacksonville TV station WJXT TV-4 that an argument broke out during the flight between one woman who wanted to recline her seat and another in the row behind who wanted to sleep while resting on her tray table.

The witness said one of the women became loud and abusive when a flight attendant was called.

[TexasProgresive]

1. Maybe if they took out a row of seats this wouldn't be such a problem

I first flew in the early 70s and I don't remember this being a problem. Also we rode the bus a lot in my family and I have the same memories that a person could recline in front of you and it was not a problem.

[unhappycamper]

2. My first airline trip was to Turkey in 1964.

Twas a Boeing 707, don't remember the airline.

Back in those days airlines actually (somewhat) cared for their passengers. Everybody got food along the way without paying extra for it. Folks were able to check their bags for (gasp) free. Seat backs reclined.

Airline consolidations since the 80s and the need for profit uber alles changed that dynamic. Now we pay for a window seat, pay for food, pay to check a bag, pay for . . . everything.

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Yes, it's getting ridiculous

Some overseas travelers (like those traveling on US-Japan routes) used to be allowed to check two 70-pound bags free of charge, then it became two 50-pound bags, then it became one 50-pound bag. Aisle seats used to be free, but now on some trans-Pacific flights they cost $50 or more extra. Getting an extra 4 incles of leg room in Economy now costs anywhere from $100 on up, depending on the destination. At least meals are still included.