Airline passengers DON'T want to sit in the exit row?

[RussR]

I was on a Southwest Airlines flight yesterday with my wife and daughter. There were about 40 empty seats they said, so most people got a decent choice of where to sit.

We got an exit row, which was perfect. In this 737 configuration there are three exit rows. But as I sat there, I watched person after person walk by the exit rows and keep going further back. One lady even started to sit down, noticed it was an exit row, said something like "oh, this is an exit row", and got back up and moved further back. She looked to be in her 30's and healthy enough (I know, it's possible she had a health condition preventing her from helping - but this statement is what got me paying attention).

Regardless, she wasn't the only one passing it up. And not everybody doing so had kids with them. The end result was that one of the exit rows was completely empty. I couldn't believe it. I've always sought out the exit rows - more legroom being the main reason. And hey, first off the plane in the event of a problem. Heck, some airlines charge extra for the exit rows.

Could it be that there are people who just don't want the responsibility of opening the door, etc? People who fear being near the door? Some other reason? Otherwise, why wouldn't you want an exit row?

(Okay, on some of the rows the seats don't recline. I guess that could be a reason.)

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Doors fall off?

 

[frfly172]

People don’t trust the door’s anymore,

 

[GaryM]

It can get even weirder. Here’s a woman who wouldn’t leave the exit row but also refused to help in an emergency. She was eventually arrested, but not before everyone else had to deplane

Frontier Airlines passenger forces entire flight to deboard

An unidentified woman was escorted off a Frontier Airlines plane after she refused to comply with exit row instructions. The other passengers on board had to deplane while she was take off.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Skyrys62]

I usually ask for them, though it seems others may pay for them as they say they are already full, even if no one is sitting there. Maybe I look too old nowadays lol.

Really I don't care, but it gives me the chance to say, I'm a pilot

 

[Ventucky Red]

How do you spell first class with Southwest Airlines? Exit Row

Was on a SW flight where a millennial, noted to the flight attendant the the gent sitting in the exit seat looked a little old and they should change seats as he was more qualified in the event of an emergency.

The older gent, wearing a WWII 42nd Rainbow Division hat hearing the exchange, turned around a light the little _____er up. Needless to say I had wait in line to by the guy a drink, even the flight attendant was tossing a few his way.

Never knew much about the 42nd, but when I got home I did some research - respect!!!!

 

[CJones]

There probably is some weird "the doors fall off" mentality among the masses. Also, some of the exit rows don't recline and some of the seats are different than the regular seats (less padding, narrower, etc.).

I'm a frequent exit-rower (6'7" tall, so I physically do not fit in a standard economy seat) and will choose flights based on exit row or upgrade availability.

 

[midwestpa24]

I've noticed that on SW too. I always rushed to get to the exit row seat thinking others would be too, but a lot of people bypass them. I'm not sure if they don't want the responsibility, or if they believe those are still an upcharge and don't want to pay.
My wife and I liked them because the one row is only two seats and we can sit together, no middle seat.

 

[luvflyin]

It can get even weirder. Here’s a woman who wouldn’t leave the exit row but also refused to help in an emergency. She was eventually arrested, but not before everyone else had to deplane

Frontier Airlines passenger forces entire flight to deboard

An unidentified woman was escorted off a Frontier Airlines plane after she refused to comply with exit row instructions. The other passengers on board had to deplane while she was take off.

www.dailymail.co.uk

?? She said she understood they needed to help and they agreed to help. Musta been something else.

 

[RussR]

?? She said she understood they needed to help and they agreed to help. Musta been something else.

Like all these videos, there's certainly a lot that went on before the cameras started rolling - because up until then, there wasn't anything worth recording.

 

[MauleSkinner]

I was on a Southwest Airlines flight yesterday with my wife and daughter. There were about 40 empty seats they said, so most people got a decent choice of where to sit.

We got an exit row, which was perfect. In this 737 configuration there are three exit rows. But as I sat there, I watched person after person walk by the exit rows and keep going further back. One lady even started to sit down, noticed it was an exit row, said something like "oh, this is an exit row", and got back up and moved further back. She looked to be in her 30's and healthy enough (I know, it's possible she had a health condition preventing her from helping - but this statement is what got me paying attention).

Regardless, she wasn't the only one passing it up. And not everybody doing so had kids with them. The end result was that one of the exit rows was completely empty. I couldn't believe it. I've always sought out the exit rows - more legroom being the main reason. And hey, first off the plane in the event of a problem. Heck, some airlines charge extra for the exit rows.

Could it be that there are people who just don't want the responsibility of opening the door, etc? People who fear being near the door? Some other reason? Otherwise, why wouldn't you want an exit row?

(Okay, on some of the rows the seats don't recline. I guess that could be a reason.)

Did you forget to use deodorant?

 

[murphey]

I used to always grab/book the exit row, depending on the carrier. But as I age, I don't think I can open the 35-60 pound door and toss it out. I just don't have the strength anymore. I don't even like carrying the 25 pound dog when he gets cranky in the snow.

 

[Initial Fix]

Some of those seats don’t recline. I try to avoid them

Especially on SW, folks seem happy to walk further back to claim a full row

 

[wilkersk]

After the door plug blew out I think a lot of people associate exit row with door plugs.

As far as seats not reclining, the dang seat seem even more uncomfortable when they are reclined.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Usually it's the seats in front of the exit row that don't recline so as not to impede the exit aisle.

 

[RussR]

Well it happened again... Boarding order B42 on Southwest, and an open exit row. With a completely full plane. On a 6 hour flight.

I just don't get it. Yes, some people are afraid of the doors, others don't feel like they can assist - but that many? I was literally the 102nd person to board!

 

[geezer]

You do know that those exit doors blow out, don't you?

Only people completely ignorant of aviation things would sit there.

Sarcasm, of course, for those here who are literalists.

Personally, I greatly preferred exit seats, until I qualified for handicap tags. Then I felt that I would possibly hamper other passengers leaving by my door.

 

[pfarber]

I HATE, I and really mean HATE exit row seats. The sides are solid and the tray table is in the armrest. A curse on the family of the engineer who designed those despicable contraptions. Whats worse is the ones where the video display is ALSO in the armrest. A DOUBLE POX on the designer.

 

[schmookeeg]

I'm trying to understand who would choose Southwest for a 6 hour flight leg. Ow, my ass! Those new blue seats must use depleted uranium for seat foam.

My SWA move is to choose a row where the window "scallop" perfectly aligns with my shoulder placement. Since they shrinkflated the seating pitch and nothing lines up anymore, this is the only way I can get the ability to scooch away from whatever plaguebearer takes the middle on my always "completely full" flight.

Also I am really curious what the width is on the first 3 rows of those planes, since the cabin tube has a significant taper inward. Row 5 is the furthest forward I'll sit on SWA.

 

[Larry in TN]

I used to always grab/book the exit row, depending on the carrier. But as I age, I don't think I can open the 35-60 pound door and toss it out. I just don't have the strength anymore

That wouldn't be a problem on a 737. You remove the plastic cover and pull down on the handle, and the door rotates up and out. You never have to lift the door.

Some of those seats don’t recline. I try to avoid them

Those are the ones that are in the row in font of an exit row. If there are two exit rows, such as on a 737-800 or larger, the first exit row is also without recline.

You do know that those exit doors blow out, don't you?

They should know that was a plug, not an exit door. The exit doors, on 737s, are hinged at the top and never dethatch from the airplane. When takeoff power is replied, solenoids activate which lock the exit doors in place so that they can not be opened in-flight.

ALL of the doors on the A320-series open out. It doesn't use plug doors for any of the exits or cabin doors.

I HATE, I and really mean HATE exit row seats. The sides are solid and the tray table is in the armrest.

Not on the 737, at least not on the seats for any US airline that I've seen. They have seat-back tray tables that extend aft to reach you and normal seat arm rests. I don't like the in-armrest tray tables, either.

 

[pfarber]

I'm trying to understand who would choose Southwest for a 6 hour flight leg. Ow, my ass! Those new blue seats must use depleted uranium for seat foam.

My SWA move is to choose a row where the window "scallop" perfectly aligns with my shoulder placement. Since they shrinkflated the seating pitch and nothing lines up anymore, this is the only way I can get the ability to scooch away from whatever plaguebearer takes the middle on my always "completely full" flight.

Also I am really curious what the width is on the first 3 rows of those planes, since the cabin tube has a significant taper inward. Row 5 is the furthest forward I'll sit on SWA.

Just pay the cash to upgrade to first class, or whatever premium economy is called. For anything more than 90 minutes its money well spent.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Just pay the cash to upgrade to first class, or whatever premium economy is called. For anything more than 90 minutes its money well spent.

SWA doesn't have a first or business class-cabin. A-List/A-List+ just get you priority boarding/baggage/seating perks. The front row seats are the same size as the last row.

 

[texasclouds]

 

[geezer]

Larry, you missed my sarcasm note!

Good rebuttals, though

 

[Larry in TN]

Larry, you missed my sarcasm note!

I did not. That's why I started with, "They should know..."

 

[dmspilot]

It can get even weirder. Here’s a woman who wouldn’t leave the exit row but also refused to help in an emergency. She was eventually arrested, but not before everyone else had to deplane

Frontier Airlines passenger forces entire flight to deboard

An unidentified woman was escorted off a Frontier Airlines plane after she refused to comply with exit row instructions. The other passengers on board had to deplane while she was take off.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Didn't see this thread posted the first time around. Interesting story. Apparently you can't say no, then say yes later.

Every one of these dimwits thinks it's their constitutional right to do anything they want on an airplane. Sigh.

 

[Zeldman]

I prefer this seat...

 

[kmacht]

I can usually get the exit row for free on most airlines when traveling for work but usually skip it. The reason for me is that you arent allowed any under seat storage in those rows. I usually travel with my laptop and a backpack to get work done while flying. I don't want to keep having to get up to get things out of my backpack in the overhead bin. It's a pain and not worth the little extra leg room.

 

[Larry in TN]

I can usually get the exit row for free on most airlines when traveling for work but usually skip it. The reason for me is that you arent allowed any under seat storage in those rows.

You are, on US airlines, as long as there is a seat in front of you with stowage space. Some other countries do not allow it, but I don't remember which ones, so I asked Perplexity.ai.

"The rule is enforced by airlines in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many Asian carriers, including China Airlines, which explicitly prohibits stowing bags under the seat in emergency exit rows"

An example of a situation where it would not be allowed on a US airline are widebody aircraft seats that are located just aft of full-size boarding doors where there is a bulkhead just forward of the exit door and no stowage space.

 

[RussR]

Not sure what airlines some of you are flying on, but on my SWA 737 today, I had my backpack under the seat in front of me, a normal armrest that went up and down, and a normal tray table in the seat back in front of me. It was actually quite nice as far as these things go.

And there's no economy-plus seats on SWA, yet. For now they're still all the same seats. That is changing here soon though, along with other dumb changes to what made SWA unique.

 

[Ventucky Red]

Exit row on Southwest is considered first class...

 

[murphey]

So the doors on the 737 automatically hinge up…what about the other Boeing models or Airbus or Embraer?

 

[kmacht]

Not sure about southwest as I usually fly delta or united and

You are, on US airlines, as long as there is a seat in front of you with stowage space. Some other countries do not allow it, but I don't remember which ones, so I asked Perplexity.ai.

"The rule is enforced by airlines in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many Asian carriers, including China Airlines, which explicitly prohibits stowing bags under the seat in emergency exit rows"

An example of a situation where it would not be allowed on a US airline are widebody aircraft seats that are located just aft of full-size boarding doors where there is a bulkhead just forward of the exit door and no stowage space.

You may want to look into that a little further beyond AI. Delta, American, United, and Southwest all prohibit personal items stored under the seat in front of you during take off and landing in the exit rows. I’m not sure about other airlines but that’s been my experience as well as their stated policy.

 

[mcdewey]

The wing blocks the view on the exit row. I have to look out the window to assist the pilots in proper operation of the aircraft.

 

[mcdewey]

I used to always grab/book the exit row, depending on the carrier. But as I age, I don't think I can open the 35-60 pound door and toss it out. I just don't have the strength anymore. I don't even like carrying the 25 pound dog when he gets cranky in the snow.

With sufficient adrenaline, I could rip the door out of the fuselage and toss it 100 yards away.

 

[flyingron]

If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. -Mitch Hedberg.

I understand unable to open the exit, but unwilling? These two guys came up to me and told me that I needed to be saved or I would burn. Pesky firemen.

I would sit in the exit row, but they rarely have them in first class.

 

[Larry in TN]

So the doors on the 737 automatically hinge up…what about the other Boeing models or Airbus or Embraer?

Airbus exits detach and the safety card like says to set the exit on the seats as you don't want to throw it out of the airplane when doing so could damage the inflatable slide.

Embraer E170/175 series does not have over-wing exits. I do not know if the E190s do. The E145 is likely like Airbus except there is no inflatable slide so the instructions like say to throw it out the window.

I don't know the configuration of the bigger Boeings. They have full size door exits and I don't remember if they have over-wing exists.

Delta, American, United, and Southwest all prohibit personal items stored under the seat in front of you during take off and landing in the exit rows.

I fly for one of those airlines and we certainly allow under-seat stowage in the exit row. I've searched the websites of the others and can't find any prohibition on under-seat stowage in the exit row. Such restrictions are required by the regulations of other countries so their national airlines have the restriction.

I understand unable to open the exit, but unwilling?

There certainly are some people who are unwilling to take on the responsibility.

 

[dmspilot]

You may want to look into that a little further beyond AI. Delta, American, United, and Southwest all prohibit personal items stored under the seat in front of you during take off and landing in the exit rows.

I've always been able to put my stuff under the seat in the exit row. Accusing an airline employee of using AI to answer a question about their policy is a new low for the board. Lame.

 

[flyingron]

I'm pretty sure last time I was in the back of the bus on United, they would not let me slide things under the seat in front of me with the protracted gap for the exit.

 

[Larry in TN]

Accusing an airline employee of using AI to answer a question about their policy is a new low for the board. Lame.

I used the AI search to identify countries that prohibit under-seat stowage in exit rows of their country's airlines. I knew from personal experience that the FAA does not.