Pre-assigned Exit Row Seats???
Recently when making a reservation and having to fly coach because 1C was full, I was given a seat assignment (before airport arrival) that turned out to be an exit row seat. Then for a flight I will be making on Sunday when again 1C is full, I called to get a seat closer to the front than the 14th row I was holding. I called the elite reservation line and when I asked for a seat closer to the front, I was asked if I wouldn't rather keep the exit row seat.
Now I like this a lot because I am tall enough to appreciate the leg room and often prioritize that over being closer to the front. I would have tried for an exit row upon airport check-in. My question is this. I thought that exit row seats could not be assigned except at the airport when the agent can check you out to make sure you are neither too old, too young, nor too infirm. Am I wrong or is this just a bonus for elite flyers and do all airlines bend the corners a bit on this?
[This message has been edited by TravelWeary (edited 08-18-1999).]