My flight was already delayed, so my mood was shot before I even buckled in. Then the older guy in front of me slammed his seat all the way back like he upgraded to first class in economy. My knees were crushed against the tray table. I tapped his shoulder and asked him to bring it up. He nudged it maybe half an inch and said that’s as far as it goes.
I wasn’t about to spend the whole flight folded up like overhead luggage, so I reached forward and pushed his seat upright myself. When he tried to lean it back again, I braced my legs against it and didn’t let it move. Suddenly he’s waving for the flight attendant like I assaulted him. I told her if he needs to recline that badly, he can pay for business class next time.
He kept mumbling under his breath, and every time he tried to inch the seat back, I shoved it forward again. The whole row was staring, but I didn’t care. If you think your comfort outranks mine, I’ll make sure you remember picking that battle for the rest of the flight.
