I would say as a Engineer if the handle has come up it must be taking up play in the system hence nothing has moved linkage wise, there is probably a bit of built in play because if there wasn't the slightest knock would trigger the seat when the pin was removed, hence allowing it to move so far before actuation, I also wonder if it is not something to do with putting you in the optimum position spine wise in the seat, the handle needs to be low enough to not get in the way, but high enough to ensure a straight back and not crouched position when operating the handle..
Wasn't that one reason the face blind handles were abandoned, one it gave fractional seconds of indecision between which to use and the other it bent you forward as you pulled it, where as a handle between your legs tends to make you you sit back in the seat when pulled.