Wow westozflyer....what spacious lounge jets do you work on???
I know for a fact that on my airline (and our Y class seats are generous enough space wise) that if a person in an aisle seat has their seat reclined for take off/landing then the person in the row behind inside will have great difficulty making an exit from their seat in an emergency!!!
As to the origional point of the thread!!! BA's Club World seat has to be set at a somewhat reclined position for take off and landing!!! Pax always get confused by it...Bless them!!!