The Knee Defender: Completely Indefensible or a Brilliant Idea? Vote Now!


Caroline Morse Teel
Family at the airport terminal

    It's practically an epidemic—three flights have been diverted in the last two weeks due to passengers fighting about seat reclining.

    At issue in one of those brawls? A little device called The Knee Defender, a $21.95 tool that stops the person in the seat in front of you from reclining.

    Our etiquette expert calls the gadget "a vile thing," whereas other people think that it's the only solution to protect your knees and laptop from getting smashed.

    What do you think? Is the Knee Defender OK to use in any situation, no matter how tall the person in front of you or how short the flight? Or is the device the height of selfishness, and should never be deployed? Or, a third option: Should it only be used on long flights, if you're extremely tall, or if you're working on your laptop on the tray table? Voice your opinion in our poll.

    Is it Ever Okay to Use the Knee Defender?

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