Flyer23

Mr. Flyer23 and I just booked what will be my last pre-baby flight... I'm not sure how I'm going to handle three+ months without setting foot on a plane

Anyway, do you think it would be a problem for me to sit in the exit row? I'll be exactly 33 weeks pregnant on the return flight. I feel comfortable performing the exit row duties, but I'm not sure if I'd get funny looks from the FA with my big belly.

Hopefully our upgrades will clear and it won't be an issue anyway, but I wanted to check lest I get booted out at the airport, when all that's available is a middle seat at the back

HNL

Here are the official guidelines from aa.com. I think only the last point would have the potential to apply in this case. I doub't anyone would say you were unable to perform the exit row duties, but who knows. I'd use miles and guarantee the UG.

Flyer23

It's the last point that I'm worried about. I've discovered that people tend to treat pregnant women like china dolls (like the woman who told me a few weeks ago that I shouldn't be lifting my rollaboard into the overhead bin) and it would be unfortunate if my FA had that mentality.

It's just SJC-AUS, not worth burning the miles on an UG, even if it does mean a non-exit-row seat on a 757.

zman

If you were not in an exit row would you be Ok if the exit rows had 33 week pregnant people in the exit row and there was an incident? If the FA is doing their job they will request u to move.

JGR01

With the flight being a 757 why not attempt to book the seats 9A/9B (exit rows at door 2L) [or 7D/7E if ex-TWA] as there is a FA jump seated right there and the door is a full sized door not a window plug.

That would be the better option.

sluggoaafa

Well, think of it this way, if you can't (or won't because you're pregnant) lift your own roller-board bag, can (or will) you lift a 50lbs door?

chances are you won't have to worry about performing the window exit duties...but if the need arises...

oklAAhoma

Good grief. She's pregnant, not disabled. If she's in decent shape and comfortable lifting and moving objects (like her rollaboard), why on earth wouldn't she be able to perform the exit row duties if necessary?

sluggoaafa

Exactly, if Mrs. Flyer23 can lift just fine and have no problems, then by all means, sit there and you have no worries.

Did hear of a woman request the F/A to lift her bag into an overhead bin on some flight. F/A assisted her in finding a space, and did help her after the woman lifted her bag 50% of the way.

When the F/A went to do the exit row briefing, she saw this same woman sitting at the seats. Well, that brought up a problem...if the woman could not lift her own bag, she could not lift the door if needed, so the woman was moved.

oklAAhoma

The OP didn't state she couldn't or wouldn't, another pax told her she shouldn't. The OP's afraid an FA will think the same thing. Up until a moment ago, I would have told her she's silly to worry... I've changed my mind. Apparently there are quite a few who equate pregnant with less capable.

oklAAhoma

OK, I follow you. And I agree completely. Anyone incapable or unwilling to lift their own bag has no business sitting in an exit row.

(Sorry I got a bit defensive in my last post. This thread really pushed some buttons with me.)

RDUWanderer

Speaking from personal experience, you *will* get funny looks. They will start with the ticket agent, followed by the TSA guys, the people next to you in the security line, and anyone within about 30 miles of the airport.

"Gee, are you going to have the baby on the plane?"
"You look awfully big to be flying."

Blah blah blah.

If you're comfortable with the prospect of dealing with a 50-pound door, and are assertive enough to deal with the idiots, then more power to you.

My last pre-baby flight was at about 30 weeks. One hour (not in the exit row), and the stupids were out in full force.

It's good training. Just wait until you see the looks you get when you board with an external rather than internal baby.

sluggoaafa

lol, no worries.

shiner

In my experience, 33 week pregnant women are quite capable of almost anything. I wouldn't have a problem if I were on a flight and a 7 month pregnant woman was in the exit row.

Flyer23

Just to be clear. I agree 100% that anyone incapable of lifting a rollaboard into an overhead bin should not be sitting in an exit row.

But even now, I am still perfectly capable of lifting my rollaboard into the overhead bin. The comment I mentioned was from another passenger and it was made as I was placing said bag into said bin, without asking for any assistance. In fact, the full comment was, "Good job! But you know, you shouldn't be lifting that right now."

I am still in good shape, still lift weights regularly at the gym, still run 2-3 miles a day. I have no doubt that I could lift a 50 lb door. I'm not asking for any rules to be bent for me. I'm just asking that I be allowed to determine what I'm capable of doing, since I think I know myself and my capabilities better than a FA.

Row 9 is booked on the way out. It's an option on the way back, but since that is still an exit row, the FA could still boot me out if s/he felt that my pregnancy might prevent me from performing exit row duties (even if those duties would be nothing more than opening a door).

Good point

alhcfp

If the FA asks- thats your answer!! I doubt the FA will argue with you since they take everyones word they they are exit qualified.

YOu can also say that your Doctor or Midwife has not restricted you from lifting 50lbs.

Good Luck on the exit row and your pregnancy!!