I, for one, would like to see airlines do more to curb these types of behavior, although sometimes there just isn't anything anyone can do. On a recent flight, I had the misfortune of sitting next to a young man who did not believe in bathing or any form of personal hygiene. Nine hours with this guy was a nightmare, but with no showers in our A330 plane, I had no choice except engage in subliminal thinking of my own (like "it stinks to be him."). Just as I thought I was going to suffocate, a little girl sitting in the row behind started to vomit with her father encouraging her to barf up some more when she faltered.

There is nothing flight attendants can do about those, but I will always remember when a United FA made everyone put their seats back up during meal times. She didn't care if the person was sound asleep. She rouse each one up and made them do it. And I think they can certainly do more about the kids who go crazy.

From MSNBC:

Board an airplane these days and you just never know what might happen.

Wait a minute — actually, it’s a very good bet you know exactly what’s in store:

Before take-off, the kid behind you will start whining, fussing and kicking the back of your seat. Mom and dad will think it’s cute — or pretend they don’t notice.
Immediately after take-off, the adult in front of you will recline his or her seat as fast as possible and as far back as it will go, and then pretend not to notice that his or her sweaty, dandruff-flaked head is in your lap.
The person seated beside you will hog the arm rests, pretend it's someone else passing gas, and then fall into a deep sleep and drool on your shoulder.
.........................
Frequent travelers are all too familiar with some of these in-flight frustrations. Airline personnel are too. That’s why, this past October, the folks at Delta Airlines began rolling out a series of very short videos that humorously depict some easily recognizable and often-irritating on-board experiences. Five Planeguage videos (as in “the language of air travel”) have been created so far. And while they’re sort of cute, most well-mannered travelers will find them disappointing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22300740/

Airlines have aggressively marketed their product to a class of consumer who uses trash bags for luggage and disregards the size limitation on spandex. Now they have the audacity to suggest that they use manners and act like a member of a civilized society? The Horror!

The consumer has spoken - they want rock bottom pricing, the ability to act like a spoiled 1st grader, and extra frequent flier miles just because. The sad thing is that the airline management continues to reward this mindset to retain that "all important" market share business model be damned!

I always recline my seat after takeoff and could care less about who or what is behind me. Its the airline's faults for cramming in the seats with minimal seat pitch, restricting the recline, and making it all but impossible to find a comfortable seating position. If the thing behind me does not like it then they can recline their seat too. Sorry.

I guess you will not mind then, if while I am sitting behind your seat I continuously kick your seat as I keep adjusting to find that comfortable seating position. Sorry.

I dont think the measly 5" of recline is going to make much difference to you finding a comfortable position. Having my seat kicked is going to happen whether I am reclined or not, so you might as well be as comfortable as possible.

It's that "I don't care" attitude towards the next guy that makes flying miserable. f10a - I hope I never have to sit in close proximity to you on an aircraft.

Seems like people think that Public space is just an extension of their living-room, and that you don't have to "play nice..." Did they miss that day in First grade or something??

So...is it that you don't care, or that you don't think it makes any difference? Guys like you are why I carry little plastic wedges that prevent you from reclining.

So everyone here is telling me that you don't recline your seats? Yeah right! I see it all the time! If its such a problem then install seats that don't recline! Last I checked the 5" of recline hardly invades the space behind. It certainly does not bother me and most of the people I know, and its only on the long haul flights that this becomes an issue. In some seats (DL domestic first class comes to mind) the seat design pushes your head forward and down in the upright position making it impossible to have any normal posture or lift your head upright. Who are these clowns that design these seats? Its not Recaro!

But hey...at least I dont hog the armrests and foot areas with trash bags, and I take up very little space compared to the new size of the average American.

Don't bet on it. Recaro does make airplane seats.

BTW - You better hope you don't ever sit in front of me. You will not be able to recline you seat. Period.

I see, so you’ve been to Atlanta, huh?

Your statement is very true, especially in Hotlanta which is full of spandex queens!