Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
In an emergency, I want people who can and will help sitting as close as possible to that door. Even those few seconds could matter.
That's why you have the flight attendants there.
The chances of the difference in time it takes for the person in 2A to get to the door vs. 1A (probably less than a second) mattering are minute. On top of the very minute chance of a plane crash itself. Much too small to worry about.
By the same logic, neither you or anyone else should be allowed to drink on the plane because it could take a slightly inebriated person a second or two longer to find their way to the exit.