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

RussR

RussR

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Russ
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.)
 
People don’t trust the door’s anymore,
 
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

www.dailymail.co.uk

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
 
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 ;)
 
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!!!!
 
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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.
 
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.
 
GaryM said:
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

www.dailymail.co.uk

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
Click to expand...
?? She said she understood they needed to help and they agreed to help. Musta been something else.
 
luvflyin said:
?? She said she understood they needed to help and they agreed to help. Musta been something else.
Click to expand...
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.
 
RussR said:
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.)
Click to expand...
Did you forget to use deodorant? ;)
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
Usually it's the seats in front of the exit row that don't recline so as not to impede the exit aisle.
 
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