Businessman, James Beach, sparked a debate all over the US when his dispute with another passenger over using a gadget, which prevented the woman sitting in front of him from reclining, became so heated that the plane was diverted to Chicago.  

Beach says he is ashamed at the way he handled the situation, but vows that it will not prevent him from using the Knee Defender on future flights.

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The Knee Defender is a $22 gadget that has been on the market since 2003. When installed, it prevents the passenger in the seat in front of the gadget owner from reclining. Beach said that the device was a gift from his wife and he has used it on a third of his flights when he travels.

Although the Knee Defender comes with a courtesy card to inform fellow passengers that the gadget is being used, Beach opted not to use it and let the passenger believe that her seat is broken instead.

Beach, himself, does not recline his seat when he flies and believes that doing so is rude.

During the flight to Denver on August 24, Beach informed the flight attendant that he was using the Knee Defender when the woman seated in front of him complained of a broken seat. He removed the gadget upon request, but claimed that the in front of him woman angrily reclined her seat 100 percent and with such force that his laptop, which was on the tray table, nearly fell.

He admits to pushing the woman's seat forward and putting back the device to prevent her from reclining her seat again. This was when the woman threw a cup of soda at him and his $2000 laptop.

Flight Attendants then transferred the woman to another seat, but Beach continued to shout angrily at the attendant.  

The pilots made the decision to divert the craft to Chicago, where both passengers were escorted off the plane.

Beach said that he was embarrased at his behavior during the incident, but it will not stop him from using the Knee Defender when he travels again.  

He will, however, be "nicer" about it, he said.

The Knee Defender is not illegal, but many airlines prohibit its use.

Tagsplane diverted, James Beach, Knee Defender