Thanks for saying that! Have you ever seen women travel, it makes me ashamed I am part of the species. What's with the steamer trunks for a three day jaunt? I went to Hawaii for a week and took a bag that measured 24L X 6D X 12W and had enough cloths for several festive occassions. My rule when I fly if it doesn't fit in the over head- it ain't going.

I used to just carry on my luggage, but it makes the security ordeal much more difficult, and carrying your luggage through the airport really sucks. Especially in Denver, where you are forced downstairs for the ridiculous train, then back up to concourse level. Then factor in another level up to get to the bar, not to mention the bag taking up prime real estate in the bar once I get there.;) I'm a big fan of tossing down a couple drinks before my flight, helps me sleep through the crying babies.

Well, you're obviously an exceptional woman, Mistress. It's too bad there aren't more women like you.

Everything poses a potential "safety risk" . . . and if the ability to raise and secure a commerical plane's tray table was so critical . . . why put them on planes in the first place, if as you argue, safety and speed is a life & death issue . . .

The answer is pretty simple, and doesn't rely on the fear mongering of a 1:1,000,000 event argument . . . simple utility and risk analysis. Adding less than 5 seconds to the procedure isn't going to substantially change that risk.

We try to encourage minimal clothing here anyway. ;)

Sure. The answer to you and I may be pretty simple. Though I don't recall a question here.

But name a flight attendant that’s going to do a utility and risk analysis for you.

I can assure you that their chain of thought is based far beyond any fear mongering and 1:1M odds. More like: When in doubt - The passenger don’t.

I’m not here to argue with you. The item seems as harmless to me as it does to you.

I’m just telling you that there are few flight attendants who will allow something to be installed in their aircraft that they are not sure of if they can come up with even the most far fetched, 1:50 billion odds scenario that may even hint at jeopardizing even the most silly of safety factors while they are in charge.
Unless they have been shown the item and told that its use has been authorized on board the aircraft... Odds are, you’ll be asked to remove it.

and here is why shipping bags FEDEX or UPS is a good idea.......

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=600-200903192057KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_47859-553N0MTD1OTDP4BGEH4M11PIQK&params=timestamp||03/19/2009%208:57%20PM%20ET||headline||Baggage%20handlers%20at%20Lambert%20caught%20stealing%20from%20pass enger%20luggage%20[St.%20Louis%20Post-Dispatch]||docSource||Knight%20Ridder/Tribune||provider||ACQUIREMEDIA||realtedsyms|||US%3BEBAY&ric=EBAY.O

I think you may have mis-read my post . . . perhaps it was my fault in not being clear. Neither I or the text in the ad for the "Knee Defender" are in support for any debate with the authority of the flight crew during the flight. If any authorized crewmember says to remove it, it should be removed.

I will also say that my experiences with flight crews hasn't always been as draconian as suggested and depending on the experience of the employee, it's a coin toss as to what side prevails.

I'll tell you which side prevails if you try using one of those on my seat. You want to control my seat, pay for it, otherwise pay for first class. Coach sucks enough as it is, I don't need some jerk-off behind me f*cking with my seat. At least the kid who kicks your seatback probably doesn't know any better. That and $20 says the flightcrew agrees with me as well.

Understood.

I’m just saying that far more than not, the crews are going to nix the locks.

I’m not quite sure what the odds of it happening are. But can you just imagine sitting across the isle from a cmbdiesel type person sitting in front of a guy with those locks in place?
And the lock user just happens to say: “They aren’t a safety issue and the FAA says they aren’t illegal…” That would beat the hell out of any in-flight movie, that’s for sure.

All flight crews know that of the xxx folks on the plane, there is a cmbdiesel sitting somewhere. Perhaps a few, in fact. Not to mention a few of the “It’s my right” types as well.

They’re not draconian. They’re just covering their ass.
Saying: “Sorry. No can do.” is the easiest way for them to do just that.

No bet here.
I guarantee they will agree with you.

I also guarantee that you’d be better off not using that tone with them or another passenger. Right or wrong. ;)

I am actually quite a nice guy;) But I am tall as well, and I need that seat to recline (although I have forgone reclining when there were unusual circumstances behind me, ie. pregnant mom). Obviously, it sorta jerks my chain to think that someone else would image their comfort as superseding mine. With the flight crew, I am always helpful and courteous, same with other passengers. I bring almost nothing with me in the passenger compartment excepting for a small laptop bag, and almost always end up helping some loser cram their oversized bag into the overhead. Unless you're flying the plane, or first class, the accommodations are not what anybody wishes for, so everyone has to play nice and make the best of it. The little tray clip thingee is not playing nice

I agree with both of you 100%. I'm 6' 3", and/but safety/CYA trumps all.