Originally Posted by
CatchThePigeon
Has there been a recent change in baggage policy for emergency exits (on Short Haul in this instance)? I've been on a couple of A320s in the past week where the aisle passenger in the emergency exit row has put a small bag under the seat in front of them. I was waiting for CC to ask them to store securely prior to taxi and takeoff but they either didn't notice - unlikely - or were content with it being there.
I'd always assumed that you cannot put anything other than your feet in the seat in front of you in an emergency row or indeed bulkhead. Am I mistaken or has this changed recently? And while I'm on, what is the policy on having hand bags on your lap for taxi/takeoff and are you allowed to put your main cabin bag under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight apart from takeoff and landing?
As a habitual exit row passenger I have to admit discreetly pointing out an errant bag below another exit row seat a couple of times as it is a mandatory issue: there are two classes of passengers here; those who really don’t know the rules; often people placed in the middle seat next to me when the TS block fails. The other category is someone who knows the rules but makes an effort to hide their small bag away from the crew.
I don't like being cast as the exit seat monitor but since everyone's job is to contribute to aircraft safety I can live with the approbation I'll probably get from this post.