Well, it looks like this situation was handled properly.

The lady should have asked first and the guy shouldn't have been a dickwad and used the device.

I always fly Southwest, so I doubt their seats even recline. Even if they do, I wouldn't do it. I don't want my head in someone's lap like that. lol

Car wise, if there's someone behind me on a road trip, I won't lay my seat back -all- the way. Just enough to give me a slight incline to sleep for awhile.