Kumulani

I don't think any airline allows bags on the floor in a bulkhead row, that sounds like a violation of government aviation regulations. If someone was doing this on an AA flight then the crew screwed up.

AA generally allows bags on the floor in the exit row most of the time, but there are exceptions (for example, row 10 on the A321S because the next seat is too far away). The bag must be pushed entirely underneath the seat and not be blocking the exit row.

ItsACrewLife

Incorrect. The brace position in Y is not putting your head in your hands. It's putting your hands on top of your head to protect it and protect your strongest hand.

corporate-wage-slave

This is my recollection of AA versus BA. So neither airline allows bags in the bulk head rows, and both fairly strict about it, though some AA crew will tolerate very small bags (purses). On 737 and Airbus services AA allow small and medium bags in the emergency exit seats - certainly including a large laptop bag - so long as the exit walkway is fully clear and the seat in front is proximate to the passenger. BA won't allow anything in these rows or under the seats in front, and though I've see the occasional small dark item not get spotted (e.g a camera bag) generally crews are punctilious in this area. There will always be the odd exception, and things will get missed but this would be by exception.

KARFA

Thanks for the clarification. Yes I have definable seen the small bags in the bulkhead row which is probably why I assumed anything was allowed. I was struggling to equate my experience with AA with varkey's comment - I certainly see BA as always being strict on bags and coats in the exit and bulkhead rows. Also BA crew will normally ensure bags are competely under seats in all other rows, whereas AA crew don't seem to mind if the are not.

simons1

"Customers tell us they prefer the confidence of knowing they are permanently in a brace position, so for their convenience we have decided to reduce seat pitch in our CE and ET cabins to 28 inches. The brace position is of course complementary."

'andad

In that case should I ignore your advice too ?

Actually I know your are right Hiddy. It did bother me. If there had been an evacuation the bag wouldn't have been a problem so long as it stayed under the seat in front (if), but the strap in the foot area would have been a huge hindrance / trip hazard. I am amazed that a mature American who would have understood the tannoy on take off and landing that the exit row floor areas must be clear and objects stowed in the overheads, decide to play dumb. That, and no mention from the crew "you're in an exit row" etc.
I've done the excellent 1/2 day BA safety course and know how difficult it is to get a large number of people out in a hurry, especially if smoke filled, and those over-wing doors are bloody heavy to heave out. That course, and a lifetime in the offshore oil business have made me safety conscious.

BobbySteel

For now.

ratechaser

You mean until Brace On Board is introduced?

apollo00

Somewhat related, I got yelled at by a member of cabin crew the other day - 'can I have your bag sir, it needs to go in the locker'...I looked somewhat uncomprehending for a few seconds, looked at the window to check I wasn't going insane and then politely suggested she might want to redirect herself to the row behind me as this wasn't an exit...

It was pretty rude in retrospect, I've never experienced BA crew being that abrupt before. Even if it had been accurately directed then it wasn't exactly polite...

On the other hand, my experience on S/H has been they're generally pretty hot on checking at take off and landing...

varkey

I was specifically talking about exit rows, I don't fly bulkhead with AA. I have taken over 100 flights with AA in the last 10 years, mostly domestic, on every single occasion crew has required verbal confirmation from exit row passengers they are willing and able to comply, have read instructions, etc. and check and clear any bags, etc. blocking paths. Every time without exception.

I fly WTP exit row almost every month for work. BA were strict until about 2 years ago, crew would look during seat belt checks and put above any items on the floor. I would say somewhere between a third and half of the time they don't bother anymore, MF are noticeably more carefree on this.

windowontheAside

While in an exit row on AA I was surprised they simply checked the bags were under the seat and not protruding, so in a quiet moment I asked about their policy. The cc told me that bags are allowed in exit rows, and was rather surprised when I told her BA allow nothing in the space.

Waterhorse

AA and BA are governed by different regulatory authorities - there are bound to be differences

KARFA

But as noted AA don't require a clear floor on exit rows so I am still confused about your original post. What are AA strictly enforcing if they actually don't have a policy to have no bags in the exit row? You seem to be flying on a different AA then everyone else

Fitch

To the point about the brace position, there are 2 main groups of injuries recorded among pax who survive impact accidents in large commercial aircraft:

1. Lower-limb fractures, primarily from auto-rotation of the knee joint due to deceleration
2. Head injuries, from impact to aircraft structures and from flying debris inside the cabin

Clearly every case is different, and many accidents are not survivable no matter what you do, but adopting the brace position at least:

• Lowers your head and upper torso below the top of the seat line and hence out of the trajectory of much debris
• Exposes your weak hand (left hand for most people) to first impact of debris, giving some protection for your strong hand (which you may need to pull yourself out of the wreckage) and finally protection for your skull
• Places more weight on your feet - if they are firmly flat to the floor your legs are slightly less likely to fly forward on impact

The US NIH has an interesting paper here on the topic.

Ancient Observer

BA's brace position in the pictures for Y does not effectively describe the best position.

The single biggest risk in Y is your head hitting the seat in front. So put your ankles together, have your ankles slightly behind your knees, feet firmly on the ground, duck as low as the space allows with your head touching the seat in front, and with your weaker hand over your stronger hand on top of your head. Keep your head to the seat in front.