Exit Row!!!

ebykowsky

ebykowsky

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Very excited for my flights tomorrow (US Air KPIT-->KCLT-->KCAE). Got exit row window seat on both legs of the journey. More importantly, the KPIT-->KCLT leg is on the A319, and I'm in the second row of exit seats. That means no seat in front of me!!!

However, most of the time, I find that US Air charges for exit row seats, but other times they're free. Anyone else have similar experiences? Normally, for the past year or two, I could only get free exit row seats on the little puddle hoppers, but these were no extra fee (even for the first leg). No complaints, but seems fairly arbitrary how they do this.

Nevertheless, as a 6'4" guy, I'm quite happy.
 
I'm guessing the flight was almost full, and no one had paid for a seat upgrade yet, so they sold them at regular price.
 
on US Airways...exit row seats are always available for purchase if you want to select those seats ahead of time for an added "fee"...and usually more expensive than the other premium seats ...which means that they sell last unless there is someone that REALLY wants to buy them...so if all the other seats are booked up, they will sell those at the base fare price.

Any time I have gotten stuck in a middle seat I always go to the gate and see if there is an asile or window available....and 9 times outta 10 if there is I wound up in an exit row at no extra charge.

Stupid system...which is why I fly Southwest when I have the choice.
 
I can remember when you had to be fit and able to sit in the exit row. The airlines will sell anything even your safety.
 
I prefer to gamble on not having some stinky fatter than me dude (or woman) sitting next to me by sitting as far back as possible, rather than an exit row where I know I'll be sitting next to someone else.
 
I've had pretty good luck with us airways and getting exit row seats. my next flight is to Denver using skymiles on usair in first class both ways :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:
 
Pro tip on exit row seats:

On many aircraft (B-737 for sure) the window exit seat has a thiner cushion. I can feel the metal frame of the seat and its pretty fatiguing. I try to avoid that seat now and take the isle even though I prefer the window.

Also, exit seats only don't recline if the there is another exit row behind you. Seats can't recline INTO an exit row, so if there are two rows the aft row is the preferred row. Seat can't recline into you and your seat reclines. However I never recline the seat unless no one is behind me (seldom happens).
 
Just to clarify, I got this one the night before departure when I checked in, not on initial purchase.
And yes, I got the rear exit row. Rookie mistake to get the front one... I'm in the one with unlimited leg room due to the lack of a seat in front. SeatGuru is awesome for figuring this stuff out.
 
SkyHog said:
I prefer to gamble on not having some stinky fatter than me dude (or woman) sitting next to me by sitting as far back as possible, rather than an exit row where I know I'll be sitting next to someone else.
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Yeah, but maybe the hot single girl who's just your age and is from your city will have the seat next to you. Well, I can dream can't I? :)
(Just so long as she doesn't smell like smoked meat!!!)
 
SkyHog said:
I prefer to gamble on not having some stinky fatter than me dude (or woman) sitting next to me by sitting as far back as possible, rather than an exit row where I know I'll be sitting next to someone else.
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Typically the back of the plane fills up first because that's where the lowest priced seats are. I don't know what the price difference is for the exit row seats is but as a non-rev I'm glad a lot of people don't want to pay it because I'm happy to sit there.
 
ebykowsky said:
Just to clarify, I got this one the night before departure when I checked in, not on initial purchase.
Click to expand...

So you probably didn't select a seat when you booked. If there are only middle seats available without paying an upgrade fee...which is usually the case...I skip the seat selection when I book and roll the dice at check in. Worst case I am in the middle, hopefully wind up in an aisle or window, best case exit row. Most of the other poor saps will select their seats ahead of time, again leaving the exit row open which no one purchases...and whala...you get the exit row when you check in and they need to assign the last remaining seats!

The gamble is that if the flight is oversold and you are not assigned a seat ahead of time...guess who gets bumped!...so make sure you check in online at the 24 hour mark.
 
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Captain said:
Also, exit seats only don't recline if the there is another exit row behind you. Seats can't recline INTO an exit row, so if there are two rows the aft row is the preferred row.
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That is what I have always understood....but last night coming back on an AA MD-80, the forward exit row seats did indeed recline. Not sure if this was due to the increased leg room that AA put in the exit rows (much more legroom than other exit rows I have been seated in).
 
Shawn said:
So you probably didn't select a seat when you booked. If there are only middle seats available without paying an upgrade fee...which is usually the case...I skip the seat selection when I book and roll the dice at check in. Worst case I am in the middle, hopefully wind up in an aisle or window, best case exit row. Most of the other poor saps will select their seats ahead of time, again leaving the exit row open which no one purchases...and whala...you get the exit row when you check in and they need to assign the last remaining seats!

The gamble is that if the flight is oversold and you are not assigned a seat ahead of time...guess who gets bumped!...so make sure you check in online at the 24 hour mark.
Click to expand...

No, I selected my seats when I booked--as close to the front as possible while keeping the window seat and not paying an upgrade fee. This one was the night before where you change your seat selection at check in.
 
Fearless Tower said:
That is what I have always understood....but last night coming back on an AA MD-80, the forward exit row seats did indeed recline. Not sure if this was due to the increased leg room that AA put in the exit rows (much more legroom than other exit rows I have been seated in).
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a reg stipulating a minimum isle width for an exit row. If seat recline encroaches its locked. If not its allowed. Just that today's planes are so packed that seldom does the recline not break the plane.

Just a guess on my part.
 
I typically ride UA, and as a MM 1K I have my choice of seats when booking. Aisle seats for me so I can get up without disturbing people. And, no, I don't have do pay extra for E+. Now, between courtesy upgrades and upgrade certificates last Thursday was the first time I rode in coach since August. :D
 
Art VanDelay said:
Typically the back of the plane fills up first because that's where the lowest priced seats are. I don't know what the price difference is for the exit row seats is but as a non-rev I'm glad a lot of people don't want to pay it because I'm happy to sit there.
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Last 5 flights I've been on have been pretty full except for the back seats. I think people think the same way you do and avoid the back. That, and seeing the lav on the seat map scares them away.

I usually fly United Express, if that matters. Direct flight from COS to LAX makes it very convenient.
 
ebykowsky said:
Yeah, but maybe the hot single girl who's just your age and is from your city will have the seat next to you. Well, I can dream can't I? :)
(Just so long as she doesn't smell like smoked meat!!!)
Click to expand...

The hot single girl is pretty rare IMHO. You'd have better luck finding a fast aerobatic plane that will haul two adults, dog, and bags for $40k.
 
§25.813 Emergency exit access.


Its quite lengthy and the reason why some seats do not recline or track near the E-exits.​
 
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