Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - Very detailed exit row briefing

I flew ANC-OME-ANC yesterday on the 73Q. I was seated in Row 16 for the outbound flight (bulkhead & exit row). I was surprised when it came time for the FA to give her spiel about exit row duties. She was detailed about what exactly we would have to do if an emergency situation occurred, (check behind doors for obstructions including smoke or flames), she explained specifically how to open the doors and move them out of the way, explained that we would have to stay behind and help her and the other FA with getting pax off the plane, and emphasized: you six will be the last passengers off this aircraft!

I haven't been seated in an exit row in quite awhile (haven't flown Y in quite awhile), so I didn't know if this was new. Normally, if I remember correctly, the FA's would basically just say, "do you speak English? yes? good, enjoy your legroom..."

Thoughts on this? FYI, on return I wasn't in Row 16 so I did not hear what the other set of FA's said to the exit row passengers.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/1210073-exit-row-what-does-mean-whats-responsibilities.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/FlyingHigh/story?id=755311&page=1#.T9H8L8X09fx

The part about being among the last six to leave the airplane makes no sense --- you're all going to wait in the exit row aisle? How will people get past you?

A bit over the top, IMHO.

The briefings vary but yours had way more stuff than usual. On my last flight I was in an exit row and was told how to open the door. Nothing about staying on and helping people.

Perhaps because you were flying to Nome they figured they would need all the help they could get in the event of an emergency.

The briefings vary but yours had way more stuff than usual. On my last flight I was in an exit row and was told how to open the door. Nothing about staying on and helping people.

Perhaps because you were flying to Nome they figured they would need all the help they could get in the event of an emergency.

I had them talk about opening the door yesterday- cover pops off and doors just flip up. In F this morning, but have one exit row segment later today so will see what they say.

I'm in Australia right now. On two of my jetstar flights I was given very implicit instructions for opening the door in an emergency on the A321. There is also a rear facing jump seat next to the wing exit. It was the most complete exit row instruction I have received. It was also nice to talk to the FA:-)

The part about being among the last six to leave the airplane makes no sense --- you're all going to wait in the exit row aisle? How will people get past you?

A bit over the top, IMHO.

I agree--it makes no sense. Reading the various FA Q&A and pilot Q&A threads around FT, I've always gotten the impression that my responsibilities in the exit row are limited to opening the door (when instructed by a member of the crew or, absent that, after determining it is safe) and possibly assisting from the bottom of the evacuation slide. Never have I heard it said or seen that I needed to remain on-board the aircraft (that's the crew's job), and as mentioned above, staying on-board would add to the confusion and get in everyone's way.

Sounds like this FA may need some retraining. (Note that for the first time in several years, AS has actually hired a few new classes of FAs, so it's possible this one is just an overzealous newbie.)

The part about being among the last six to leave the airplane makes no sense --- you're all going to wait in the exit row aisle? How will people get past you?



I'm glad everyone agrees with this. I had never thought that exit row passengers would be responsible for remaining on the aircraft until everyone else was off.

I'm glad everyone agrees with this. I had never thought that exit row passengers would be responsible for remaining on the aircraft until everyone else was off.

I had an AA flight attendant use this line in an exit row briefing a couple of years ago. She was quite emphatic that the price you pay for extra leg room is ensuring the safety of all other passengers before your own (which felt particularly weird to be told, quite frankly).

So when I open that door and I am first off do I have to report to the principals office?

So when I open that door and I am first off do I have to report to the principals office?


No you'll just be eaten first ;)

Was regular briefing minutes ago to PDX... F/A only mentioned on the 734 we have to toss the door out (as newer models lift up).

I'm glad everyone agrees with this. I had never thought that exit row passengers would be responsible for remaining on the aircraft until everyone else was off.

That does sound awkward and even dangerous, much like the bozos who are walking through a door who, instead of opening it and walking through holding it behind them if necessary for their coworker or other to reach it, insist on walking up to the door, backing up slowly and making the people behind stop and go around them to get through the door first, making everyone take more time...

(Yes, I understand opening a door for a significant other; this is not that case)

I have noticed the F/A's on Delta have become more specific. They said we had to help those off the slides but nothing about staying on board and be the last person off the plane. They did mention on the MD-82 that it is Delta's policy to pull the door off and rest it in the exit row seat. I guess they are worried about people tossing out the door and damaging it during a minor evacuation.

I've also experienced that they want the window shades up during takeoff and landing. That makes sense in order to check for flames.

Part of me wishes you could take a class on the subject and get certified where only certified people can sit in an exit row.

I have noticed the F/A's on Delta have become more specific. They said we had to help those off the slides but nothing about staying on board and be the last person off the plane. They did mention on the MD-82 that it is Delta's policy to pull the door off and rest it in the exit row seat. I guess they are worried about people tossing out the door and damaging it during a minor evacuation.

I've also experienced that they want the window shades up during takeoff and landing. That makes sense in order to check for flames.

Part of me wishes you could take a class on the subject and get certified where only certified people can sit in an exit row.

It's almost a burden to sit in an exit row on DL. First when boarding the machine beeps when the boarding pass is scanned and the agent asks if you are aware and accept the responsibility of being in an exit row seat. Then you sit down and for some reason the FA's can't coordinate so you get briefing's from usually 3 or 4 different ones. When the boarding door closes the FA's return to remind you that in an exit row all belongings must be completely under the seat infront. Honestly, my last flight with DL I got 6 different DL employees making sure I understood and was okay with sitting in an exit row.

On AS its MUCH better, but a recent flight the FA must have been on there first 737NG flight because he thought it important to talk about the design and operational changes from the exit door in the classics.

The FAA is now requiring a much more detailed briefing for those sitting in the exit rows...including how the exit opens. You are NOT required to 'go down with the ship' as this FA apparently stated as part of her/his briefing. That part was improvised and is by no means part of the required briefing. You might contact Customer Care with the date and flight number so this FA can have a little remedial training.

Per the FAA: You have to speak and understand English. You can't have any physical disability or prothesis that prevents full use of your both of your arms and both of your legs. Check first for danger and then open the exit and direct people out. That's it in a nutshell.

While the OP's FA went a bit overboard with the implication that you should stay onboard the aircraft, the FAA is requiring that the airlines emphasized the duties associated with being near the emergency exit. First and foremost, before you open the exit, check to make sure that there is not fire immediately outside the exit!!! I think that the "enhanced" emergency exit briefing is important -- Southwest takes it pretty seriously on all of their flights (thankfully).

As passengers, we are not expecting an emergency to happen. If we are adequate prepared, a few extra seconds may be difference between life and death in an extreme emergency.

As passengers, we are not expecting an emergency to happen. If we are adequate prepared, a few extra seconds may be difference between life and death in an extreme emergency. No question, but the implication that we should prepare ourselves to die in an emergency in return for three more inches of legroom is ridiculous. Besides, standing in the exit row and ushering everyone else off the aircraft and onto the wing would serve no practical purpose and probably retard evacuation speed.

On my SEA - MSO flight on 6/8, the flight was about 50% full. The FA woke me up to ask about the exit row stuff. Normally, it's just a simple, "You understand you are in the exit row and capable of handling that responsibility?" And they want you to verbally acknowledge. So I told her "yes, I understand I am in the exit row and am ok with it." Apparently that wasn't enough, or perhaps she thought I didn't speak English and was just mimicking, because she said something else to me. I said I am ok and accept the responsibilities. But still, that was not enough...for the first time ever on any flight on any airline, I was asked "Can you lift 35 lbs?" I told her "Yes I can lift 35 lbs." She went away and I went back to sleep. There was no one in the 2D seat next to my 2E. The pax behind me were laughing about it.

Until seeing this post, I thought she was irritated that I was sleeping while sitting in 2E (I always sleep in 2E coming home from the slope). I've had a FA tell me that you are not allowed to sleep when you sit in an exit row.

I feel that in an emergency, I will wake up and be alert very quickly. And before anyone asks or wonders, I am in my 30s and looking at me, I doubt anyone would think I can't lift 35 lbs---especially in an emergency. This was a new FA for me on this route, but she appeared to be a veteran. ;-)

I've had a FA tell me that you are not allowed to sleep when you sit in an exit row. This was a new FA for me on this route, but she appeared to be a veteran. ;-)

Of course you can sleep in an exit row....but you DO have to be awake and respond to the questions asked during the briefing. And just because someone appears a 'veteran' doesn't mean she or he might not be a new-hire. AS has been hiring plenty of people in their 40's, 50's and even a few in their 60's.

I believe I made it clear that I was awake to answer her questions. I had not fallen asleep yet, but I had my mask on. Responding in full sentences is more than most FA's get from newbies in the exit row. I know they have to get full acknowledgement from me, so I always respond in a full sentence. As for vet comment, I feel like you flamed me on that one. I'm not new to flying. Her attitude for everything else pre-flight and exiting the plane made me feel like she had been a FA for a while. Compared to most of the FAs I encounter on AS, she was also a 4 on a 1-10 friendliness scale where 10 is the best.

I think asking me three different questions would have been warranted if I had mumbled a response and been rude. However, I answered her clearly and in complete sentences and was polite. I added my story to the thread in order for everyone to determine whether there was a new trend in exit row conversations and if anyone else had been asked the same level of detail.

My response is usually, "Yes I am, and I'll have it open and be out before you know it."

I had a UA FA once take it very very seriously, showing me hand signals to direct passengers to the exit and how to cross my arms over my chest if the exit was unusable. At one point I asked "so do I get to get out first or am I supposed to stay behind directing people" and she looked at me very solemnly and said "that's a choice only you can make, I can't make it for you". The fact that I remember this 8 years later shows how detailed it was! :D

In the exit row for two flights yesterday on AS. On the first, we were given the detailed briefing--we weren't made to speak a full sentence of acknowledgment (just a yes), but the FA spent a good 30 seconds describing how to lift up the door (it was a 737-800, so she mentioned that the door slides out and up).

The second flight was the much quicker "Are you willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency?"

In the exit row for two flights yesterday on AS. On the first, we were given the detailed briefing--we weren't made to speak a full sentence of acknowledgment (just a yes), but the FA spent a good 30 seconds describing how to lift up the door (it was a 737-800, so she mentioned that the door slides out and up).

The second flight was the much quicker "Are you willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency?"

The second FA would be fined by the FAA if there were an FAA rep sitting in the exit row.

The first FA wasn't giving you correct instructions if s/he said that either the door or the window slides "out and up" The windows flip out (ala hatchback style) and the doors open the same as any other door. They open out. In any case, they are required to tell you how to open the windows when doing an exit row briefing and ask if you are willing to accept the exit row responsibilities. That's it.

The first FA wasn't giving you correct instructions if s/he said that either the door or the window slides "out and up"

I don't recall her exact wording, just that she described how to open it. Any error in the transcription of her instructions was most likely on my part.