During these past few weeks, manners—good or bad—have been a hot topic. The controversy comes after a video went viral on social media just a few days ago, where one passenger could be seen kicking and shoving the reclined seat of the passenger sitting in front of him. A few days later, it was rumored that she might have knocked this passenger’s drink over by reclining her seat. However, just because this went viral, it does not mean it is something new.

Such attitudes were not present some years ago. People used to have better manners, not only when reclining their seats. For instance, passengers who had reached their final destination would usually allow those making connecting flights to exit first, something that rarely happens anymore. Given all these issues, it seems that flight attendants and crew have given up on the fight, also showing a lack of respect toward the rest of the passengers.

Above all of these is the so-called “golden rule,” which is to treat others the way you wish to be treated. So, should passengers be allowed to recline their seats? This might have not been an issue years ago when aviation was not as commercialized as it is today. Airplanes used to have fewer seats. The industry demand has increased with airlines adding more seats, thus lowering the price point, allowing them to fill the planes with seats to the point where there is barely any leg-room.

Such growth in aviation has led to a decline in travel ethics, where passengers feel entitled to not follow the rules established by the airlines and the flight attendants themselves. Not only is there a rush to exit the plane upon arrival, but passengers do not listen to the routine pre-flight safety briefing. This is where flight attendants dance the Macarena in order to make passengers aware of the emergency exits. Nowadays, passengers do not even pay attention. They feel that listening to their tunes is more important, even during takeoff and landing. Not only do they put their earbuds in, but they also lower their window shades during these two critical points in flight. This should not be allowed as it could disorient someone in case of an accident where they may not want to exit on a specific side of the plane because of a danger outside. 

Given all of these circumstances, maybe the aviation industry should take a step back to the time when rules were respected and passengers were not rude to one another.  

Photo from Pixabay