A flight experience turned sour for a TikTok user after she discovered her laptop had broken after stowing it in the seat pocket on the plane. The incident has sparked a hot debate over the safety of using seat pockets for storing personal items on flights.
The woman, who goes by the name @roseybeeme on TikTok, shared a video on the platform detailing the incident. She explained that she had placed her laptop in the seat pocket in front of her before a fellow passenger reclined their seat, causing damage to her device. The video has since gone viral and generated a mixed bag of reactions from viewers, with some blaming her for not using the overhead compartments while others sympathized with her predicament.
The Incident
According to @roseybeeme, she was on a cross-country flight when the incident occurred. After boarding the flight and settling in her seat, she placed her laptop in the seat pocket before her. However, when the passenger in front of her reclined his seat shortly after takeoff, she heard a cracking sound. 
On retrieving her laptop, she discovered the screen was cracked, rendering the device unusable. The TikToker shared images of the damaged device on the social media platform, expressing her frustration at the event and advising others to avoid storing valuables in the seat pocket on flights.
Reactions From Netizens
The incident has generated a heated debate on social media, particularly on TikTok. Some users argued that the woman should have used the overhead compartments designed for storing items during flights. They opined that the seat pockets are not suitable for fragile items such as laptops and tablets. Others, however, sympathized with her, stating that the pocket should be safe for storage and that the reclining passenger should have checked before adjusting their seat.
As of now, the video has garnered over a million views and thousands of comments. The incident has sparked conversations around flight etiquette and storage safety on planes, with many users sharing their own experiences and opinions.
Airlines’ Response
Although the airline involved has not been mentioned in the TikTok video, the incident has drawn attention to the policies of various airlines regarding seat pocket storage. Some airlines specify that passengers should not place their personal items in the seat pocket for safety reasons. Others, however, do not have explicit policies on this issue.
Airlines generally recommend using overhead lockers for storing larger items, including laptops, to avoid injury in case of turbulence or sudden movements. However, the lack of a uniform policy across airlines has led to confusion and disagreements among passengers.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with storing personal items in seat pockets on flights, highlighting the need for clear and uniform regulations across airlines. It also raises questions about the responsibility of passengers when reclining their seats. In the meantime, passengers are advised to use caution when storing their personal items on flights, particularly when it comes to fragile items such as laptops or tablets.
