I'm typing this out somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico on my way home from a few days in Miami. And while just a couple of hours ago, I had my toes in the sand, I've now got my knees pressed firmly against the seat in front of me and my own elbows digging into my ribs in order I reach my keyboard. Why? Because the guy in front of me is reclined. In case you needed another reminder that this less civilized era of flying is nothing short of brutal, just ask the guy that shoved his seat into my laptop. He's not sleeping. He's just reclined during a day flight because, well, I don't know why. Because he's a sociopath?

After all, doesn't he know that you don't recline your seat unless it's a late night flight (and everyone's reclining to sleep) or you've asked the person behind you if they mind? Maybe he's one of those types that would claim he bought the seat and reclining is his right. But if you ask me, luxuriating in that precious extra space is nothing short of sociopathic. Because when you lean back, impaling me with my own tray table and spilling my drink on my jeans, you've robbed me of the space that came with my seat. And as my mother would say, just because you can, it doesn't mean that you should.

Now, I'm not saying don't ever recline. I just think we should all be aware of those around us. Especially when crammed into a tiny flying metal tube. If there's no one behind you, if the person behind you is already sleeping or if it's a little kid who wouldn't be affected by the intrusion of your reclined seat, then by all means, lean back. But if I'm in the seat behind you eating a meal or trying to work on my computer or simply enjoying a book, think better of it. Those few extra inches might make your flight a tiny bit more comfortable—but your leaning back will make mine a whole lot worse.

And don't even get me started on those who grab the seat in front of them to pull themselves up.

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief
@mrohlendorf