Reclining seats are a problem especially when there is little legroom in the first place. I am 6 feet tall and have seriously arthritic knees. On a flight that had my knees wedged firmly apart the passenger in front slammed their seat back into my knees trapping me in my seat and in great pain. I asked them to move the seat forward but they refused saying that my pain was my problem, they had the right to recline their seat. I was literally, physically trapped in my seat unable to get up so I called the FA. They immediately saw the problem and asked the passenger to move the seat to free me from the seat and give me a chance to rearrange my knees so that they would not be trapped. I was still in extreme pain and the other passenger recognised that but still wouldn't move.
And that was his big mistake. He had now admitted that he was deliberately causing me pain.
I requested that the FA get the captain to call ahead and request a police attendance on landing to allow me to press charges of assault and causing actual bodily harm (we were landing in the UK). Now, I must admit that I was trying it on a bit here but to my astonishment the FA agreed with me and moved to go to the cockpit. Arsehole passenger immediately changed his tune, moved his seat to release me and was almost crying with his apologies. The FA moved me to a premium economy seat with more legroom. I requested that they did not go any further with the matter.
That's not the end of it though. On arrival at Gatwick passengers were asked to remain in their seats as the police were boarding the aircraft to speak to a passenger. Arsehole was removed in tears to the police station for what the officers described as " a little chat". He was released 5 hours later. The airline later contacted me to advise me that the passenger concerned had been given a lifetime ban on that airline.
Why was this action taken despite my request not to take any further action ? Well, I believe that it was because during boarding I had identified myself as a paramedic and that I was happy to assist the crew in the event of any medical incident.
Sometimes.....there is a God.
And that was his big mistake. He had now admitted that he was deliberately causing me pain.
I requested that the FA get the captain to call ahead and request a police attendance on landing to allow me to press charges of assault and causing actual bodily harm (we were landing in the UK). Now, I must admit that I was trying it on a bit here but to my astonishment the FA agreed with me and moved to go to the cockpit. Arsehole passenger immediately changed his tune, moved his seat to release me and was almost crying with his apologies. The FA moved me to a premium economy seat with more legroom. I requested that they did not go any further with the matter.
That's not the end of it though. On arrival at Gatwick passengers were asked to remain in their seats as the police were boarding the aircraft to speak to a passenger. Arsehole was removed in tears to the police station for what the officers described as " a little chat". He was released 5 hours later. The airline later contacted me to advise me that the passenger concerned had been given a lifetime ban on that airline.
Why was this action taken despite my request not to take any further action ? Well, I believe that it was because during boarding I had identified myself as a paramedic and that I was happy to assist the crew in the event of any medical incident.
Sometimes.....there is a God.
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