There are several criteria, and those are expressed by each airline in their policy. American Airlines says:
Qualifications
Customers must be advised that government regulations prohibit seating passengers in designated exit seat, on any commercial flight, when they answer NO to the following question. "The government requires any passengers seated in the exit seat be 15 years of age or older, be willing to assist in an evacuation and have no physical impairments that would prohibit your assistance. Airport personnel will make the final determination. Do you meet this criteria?"(sic)
Detailed Description
When a detailed itemized description is warranted: The answer to number one must be "YES" and the answer to two through eight must be "NO" or they cannot have an exit seat.
"Since your seat assignment involves an exit seat, I must advise you that the government now requires passengers who are seated in those seats, must verbally agree to comply with specific criteria. (Review questions.)
- Would you be able to comply or would you prefer another seat provided at check-in time at the airport?"
- Are you willing to assist on an evacuation?
- Are you under 15 years of age?
- Are you an adult traveling with a child under 15 years of age or another passenger who requires your care? NOTE: The passenger will not qualify, if these passenger types are seated anywhere on the aircraft.
- Do you lack mobility, strength and dexterity in both arms, both hands and/or both legs to: quickly reach the exit, remove any obstructions, manipulate the exit door and slide mechanisms or lift out a window exit door, exit the aircraft, or assist others in exiting?
- Do you lack visual capacity or require corrective aids beyond eyeglasses/contact lenses?
- Do you require assistance beyond a hearing aid to hear and understand verbal instructions?
- Are you limited in your ability to read and understand printed/graphic instructions related to exist, an aircraft evacuation or the ability to understand crew members commands?
- Do you have a condition that might prevent you or injure you while performing evacuation functions?
Customer Meets Exit Seat Criteria
Only when the passenger has agreed to comply with all items an emergency exit seat may be assigned, using the normal specific pre-reserved seat request entry and then document the PNR that the passenger is qualified. PNR Documentation: PASSENGER QUALIFIED FOR EXIT SEAT.
Originally Posted by
Awtas
Hi,
Was in the exit row, and to the "willing and able" question responded that yes, I am willing but cannot be 100% positive that able since never tried. Was booted from the exit window to the E+ middle seat.
How anyone can be sure that he/she is able to assist unless they've done it. Am I missing something?
And my apologies if this post is not in the right forum.