Originally Posted by KATLPAX
what happens if the person who paid the $15 is not qualified? Who will police this?
THE SAME PEOPLE THAT POLICE THIS NOW!!!! Ugh.
This "issue" has been mentioned several times on these various threads, but it is a non-issue. Currently, when one attempts to pre-assign an exit row there is a verbal (over the phone) or printed (online) "warning" about being exit-row qualified. One has to agree that one is qualified before the seats can be reserved. IT WILL BE EXACTLY THE SAME NOW, but you will need to provide your credit card to get to that point. Even if one isn't exit row qualified, but says s/he is, this will be discovered upon boarding and the pax will be re-seated.
THERE IS NO COMPROMISE TO SAFETY.
By charging for these, the airline has fundamentally changed the role of these seats from safety to a perk. Does this make a difference? I am not sure. Ive seen too many people sitting in those seats who may be legally qualified, but knew after watching them struggle to lift their own carry on that those were not the people I want ensuring I get out. This policy probably won't make a difference to who is sitting there but I wish the airlines would consider tougher restrictions for who should be sitting next to that escape hatch.
These issues may or may not be valid, but as you suspect, really has nothing to do with NW's plan.