Why Yanking the Airplane Seat in Front of You Is Just Rude

So I posted a simple opinion on Threads — and the internet lost its mind.

I said that there’s no reason for you to be grabbing the back of the seat of the person sitting in front of you on the plane like it's a pull out bed every time you get up your seat. That’s it. That’s the post. I didn’t say disabled people shouldn’t fly. I didn’t say people can’t ask for help. I just said: stop using the back of someone’s seat like it’s a ladder.

And somehow… that sparked a full-blown firestorm.

People called me names, accused me of being ableist (which I am not), and left hundreds of angry comments. Some were so nasty, I couldn’t even bring myself to read them all. And it honestly made me pause — not because I regretted what I said, but because it reminded me how out of hand things get when you bring up common courtesy in public spaces.

Especially on airplanes.

So instead of arguing back and forth in a thread, I did what I do best: I turned it into a video.

🎥: Why Pulling the Seat on a Plane is Rude — and Got Me Cussed Out

Why Pulling the Seat on a Plane Is a Problem

Let’s be real — airplane seats are already cramped. You’re in close quarters with strangers, breathing recycled air, and just trying to make it through the flight without losing your mind. So when someone suddenly grabs your seat like it owes them money to push themselves up? That’s jarring. Disruptive. And honestly, inconsiderate.

I’m not talking about people lightly touching the seat for balance, or folks who genuinely need assistance. I’m talking about the full-body yank, the aggressive tug that jerks your whole body forward. You’re mid-snack, mid-scroll, mid-nap — and suddenly your head’s bobbing like you’re on a rollercoaster.

Why is that okay?

And here’s the kicker: I’ve seen it happen in business class too. So this isn’t just about tight economy rows. It’s about a lack of airplane etiquette across the board.

This Isn’t About Ableism — It’s About Courtesy

Let me be clear: this is not about excluding anyone. If someone needs help, of course they deserve to fly and be supported. But pulling someone else’s seat with force isn’t the only way to get up. There are armrests, seat dividers, and actual flight attendants if assistance is needed.

The idea that basic courtesy doesn’t apply just because you’re on a plane? I don’t buy that. We can care about accessibility and still talk about behavior that’s disruptive or rude.

So… Why Did This Go So Viral?

Because people don’t like being called out on their travel habits — even when it’s done respectfully. And social media loves outrage. But instead of just letting the comments pile up, I made a video breaking it all down, from start to finish. Including the screenshots. Including the context.

So if you’ve ever been on a plane and thought, “Is it just me, or was that unnecessary?” — this one’s for you.

Drop your thoughts in the YouTube comments and let’s talk about it. Because one thing’s for sure — we’re going to keep flying, and we need to fly better. Together.

And next time you’re tempted to grab the back of someone’s seat to stand up?

Maybe try the armrest instead.