Originally Posted by
gemac
I believe that the real reason tray tables are in the exit row armrest normally are ease-of-use issues, not using-the-emergency-exit issues. If tray tables normally flopped down on emergency landings, they would not bother to tell you to put them up for takeoff and landing.
I believe it IS a safety issue. They may not normally flop down but if there ever was a time to make sure there was no chance of them getting in the way, it would be then. It would make sense to put them in the arm rest and not take even the smallest chance that there could be an obstructuion.