baflyer999

I don't think the OP got on the plane to supervise health and safety matters.

He raised a point I hadn't considered before. I personally found it interesting.

Will keep an eye out for this in the future

T8191

A nice and sensible post, unlike some others ^

simons1

Of course it wasn't the OP's job to supervise H&S issues. But the point is, why wouldn't you raise it at the time (even if it was discretely, out if earshot if those concerned) instead of anonymously on an internet board.

The answer presumably being that either the usual stiff upper lip and all that, or it was a non issue.

T8191

OK, let's keep playing the poster instead of the topic

Is there not a valid, and serious, aspect to this? Like potentially incapable people occupying the EXIT row seats? Would it perhaps be more constructive if we discussed HOW to avoid a potentially hazardous scenario, instead of picking on the OP?

Come on, folks. Why is BAFT so picky these days?

simons1

Yes there is a valid and serious aspect to this.

That's why some of us are questioning why the OP didn't ask the question at the time. After all none of us was there at the time to know the answer, whereas I am sure a member of crew could have clarified immediately.

That's not playing the man - who else do you think should have asked the question if not the OP?

T8191

I suggest the question should be asked of BA, frankly.

They can't manage priority boarding, have a lax attitude [variable] to carry-on luggage, and yet a 'safety critical' aspect seems to be largely ignored. I knew how to open the over-wing, and verbalised that to the CC ... but did they have any idea about my strength, or my weak back? Of course not ... it's theatre.

simons1

And of course the best time to ask BA was to ask an employee there and then.

Trying to do it after the event will just generate a standard fob off which no one will be able to prove or disprove.

Ldnn1

As the OP has said, he was in 11F so wasn't personally concerned for his own safety. And quite frankly, it is not his responsibility to do the crew's job for them.

As such I don't see any problem in him posing the question here after the event as a matter of interest.

Lewis Watson

Everyone is talking about the people but does anyone know about the door? It is a piece of safety gear I would imagine they make it as easy to operate as possible.

Misco60

You're being a little unfair on the OP; sometimes it can be difficult to raise these matters at the time for fear of causing a scene. The question of who should be permitted to sit in an exit row, and how that is enforced, is an interesting one and worthy of discussion here.

Yesterday you started a thread in the Emirates forum about a flight you had just taken, complaining that the Gold welcome was "cringeworthy" and "a real irritation", the First passenger manifest was left out for all to see and that the captain didn't apologise for the delay. Did you raise any of these issues at the time, or only anonymously on this forum?

KARFA

Have you actually tried operating one? It's isn't easy to open and eject.

simons1

Yes I did, with the Purser. All noted down and I will see if they respond.

passy777

Indeed!

As numerous threads on FT will testify, many may suggest that it would have been a futile exercise confronting the crew at the time. I am not suggesting he would have been fobbed off, however, it may have been time consuming to relocate the passenger from the emergency exit during a very busy period for the crew.

I think it is a bit of a joke when you select an exit row seat online and you have to just tick a box to indicate you have the physical capability to open a door in an emergency.

I recently questioned an agent as to why she was allowing blatantly oversized hand baggage onto the aircraft when at the same time she was selecting passengers to have their cabin baggage placed in the hold. I was told that no oversized luggage would be allowed on board.

If I recall correctly, that was the very flight someone dropped an oversized and heavy rucksack onto the seat below from above head height because the passenger could not physically lift it into the bin - thankfully nobody was sitting in the seat - particularly a child, as it would certainly have caused injury.

I accept two wrongs don't make a right, but consistency and the effective policing of cabin baggage will (or should) ensure a more efficient process overall and that should apply to all policies and procedures.

Another gripe is when crew place their luggage in the bins above row 1 - although not a safety issue - more of an annoyance, I have complained on numerous occasions, but now just let it go as it is pointless making an issue of it and I just let it go over my head now (pun not intended) as the practice seems to continue regardless.

Routine violations occur as it makes life easier for those who are supposed to be enforcing policies and procedures and it is disappointing when it gets to the stage where passengers highlight a potential breach, but to make life easier, concerns are ignored.

Of course the OP could have questioned the situation at the time he observed a potential safety issue - whether any action would have been forthcoming is another matter.

Deltus

Have you operated one? Hopefully on a course of some sort rather than an actual evacuation, if so...?

I always wonder how easy it would actually be to do in an emergency, but never ask the crew for further details because I don't want them to decide that I'm not competent to do it and move me out of my exit row. As someone who has read the instructions and actually thought about how to do it, I reckon I'm already better-placed than 90% of exit-row occupants.

I've heard that the person in the B or E seat is frequently knocked out by the A or F seat person pulling the door down onto their head - is that actually a real risk? How heavy is the door, and how hard is it to move?

passy777

Don't they eject away from the aircraft - not inwards?