Emergency Exit requirements?
 

I was always under the impression that a passenger needed to be physically mobile to sit in an emergency exit - indeed I believe that CAA rules state that "..You must be a non-disabled adult in full fitness...". So I was a little surprised when a guy in a protective boot using crutches sat down in the other exit row immediately in front of me on an LHR-MRS flight last week. Does this requirement not actually get enforced any more, or does boot + crutches somehow count as "full fitness"???

Clearly the passenger ticked the box when they shouldn’t have done to say they met the requirements. BA usually checks at check in or the gate as well so that was missed. And of course the cc should have seen that when they came to give the exit row briefing.

edit: for reference this is what is says when you select an exit row

semi-related question:

https://www.britishairways.com/trave...-tradecustomer

states

"You must be a non-disabled adult in full fitness and able to understand printed and verbal instructions given in English."

Are 12+ year-olds considered adults in the UK, or what explains the inconsistency?

I am about to pick exit row for a 16-year-old accompanying me (way older than 16). Am I going to run into trouble with that?

the UK has many gates to adulthood and 12 yo is not one of them. I’d suggest that the final three clauses are key. If your 16 yo companion is fit enough to throw the door, can understand english and has a solid head on their shoulders then all is good.

I don't know about reasons for inconsistencies but an adult is 18 in the UK.

Maybe it's to do with when you are classed as an adult in terms of fares?

No problem.

Thanks to both all three of you for the quick confirmation. I figured it was going to be okay.

The passenger should be mobile enough to handle the exit door and get out. Wearing a boot and needing crutches is not usually compatible with this.

If I saw this, I would discreetly (but directly) suggest to the cabin crew that they re-check the person in seat XX for exit row suitability and mention crutches, boots, etc. If they decided it was OK then that's their decision to make, but I would be wanting to ensure they have checked the situation in detail.

This has (nearly) happened to me once; I boarded early to an exit row, and part way through boarding a very frail-looking elderly passenger came to sit down in the exit row - who did not look physically capable of handling the exit row, or even a small hand bag. I was half way through heading to the nearest cabin crew member making "ah, I need your attention" hand motions and I met them half way, as they had already seen the problem and were making a beeline for the passenger. The passenger was discreetly ushered to sit in the row ahead, and I complimented the crew member later on "their good handling of the potential safety issue at the exit row during boarding".

Think the crew often look the other way to avoid hassles…

from a few years ago…

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ency-exit.html

I was required to demonstrate my fitness to sit in an exit row one time by the check in agent. After about 20 step ups on the scales she left me in my exit row seat.

I suspect most people don’t appreciate how heavy and awkward the emergency exit doors are. Having had a go at removing one during one of the safety introduction courses that BA used to hold at Cranebank, I know it’s not as easy as the card makes it look!

Another question in regards to OP's situation is where were the crutches put? I suppose they could have been placed in overhead bins....surely the passenger wasn't allowed to keep them and thus breaking another rule of emergency exit seats in keeping the floor clear. It does occur to me that the passenger concerned may well have been able bodied when they bought their ticket and selected a seat, but broke an ankle or similar subsequent to that. The crew really should have done something on safety grounds.

I'm of the opinion that if you're in the emergency exit row, you shouldn't be allowed alcohol.

Even if you're in business?