"Knee Defender" leads to passenger fight and diverted plane

[MineralMan]

125. Really? I could take a train to California from Minnesota,

certainly. It takes two days. I could drive. That takes three days, unless I'm willing to drive for 14 hours a day. Either way, I'd be sitting in a seat for that time. In three hours of flight time, I get there on my choice of airline. I can fly Sun Country, Delta, American, Frontier, or other airlines. I choose Sun Country for price reasons.

Most major airports offer a range of airlines from which to choose. That you have not heard of Sun Country is irrelevant. No doubt, there are budget-priced airlines where you are, that don't serve my area, too. Since, as I already said, I don't recline my seat, it's a matter of indifference to me whether the seats on Sun Country flights recline. If I choose, I can select one of the first class seats, if one is available, by paying another $100 when I check in, and usually there are first class seats available. They only have eight of those on each flight. I can also select an exit row or bulkhead seat for an additional fee, too, if I choose. I do not choose to do that, because it doesn't matter to me. It's a three hour flight. I don't care enough to pay the additional cost.

Would I fly on a plane with those seats in your photo? I can't say, offhand, and seriously doubt that such seats will ever be installed on any US airline. I might do that, though, for a three hour flight, if the savings were large enough. Ask me again if any airline offers that seating plan.

For a three-hour flight, or even a 5 hour cross-country flight, I do not require a meal, either. Since early arrivals and check-ins at airports are required these days, I can eat before boarding or on arrival, if necessary. There is also food available for purchase at the airport if I wish to eat on the plane. I buy a nice deli sandwich if I want a meal on the plane. When the flight attendant comes by with the drink cart, I can request a beverage. Normally, it's "black coffee, please," and "thanks very much" when it's handed to me. What more would I require for a domestic flight?

I also don't require entertainment in flight, although that is available for a fee as well. I have my Kindle, and I can read, but I prefer gazing out the window at the world almost 7 miles below. If the person next to me wants a conversation, I'm always up for that, too. It's always interesting to meet new people.

It's three or four hours. Then, I'm at my destination, where I'll rent a car or someone will pick me up. Usually a family member picks me up. They wait outside of the airport and I call them on my cell phone after I pick up my checked luggage if I have any. Five minutes after my call, my brother, brother-in-law or my wife pulls up and I'm almost home.

During the flight, though, I'll be sitting in a more or less comfortable seat for the duration of the flight, depending on how much I've been willing to spend. Soon enough, I'll get to my destination airport in any case.

I fail to see the problem, frankly.