As a non-elite, I have found that for nearly every CO flight I've taken in the last year (maybe 10 or so), I can check in just after 24 hours and snag an exit row (poor man's first class, especially 14A or F on the 737).

My question is, why? Is there any particular reason that elites don't snag these when purchasing? Or are they not released until day of and I just happen to beat the elites?

Not complaining, but curious...

Some are upgraded. Some like to sit closer to the front. Some don't like the responsibility of listening to the FA and opening the emergency doors (or can't do it). Some don't know that many of those seats actually have full recline.

Golds & Plats can get the exit rows upon booking. Silver elites can only get the seats at the T-24 hr mark, the same as non-elites. My guess is that:
1. Golds/Plats are being upgraded at the 24:01 mark and thus allowing the seats to remain open at the T-24 hr check-in point.
2. If any exit rows remain unbooked, you're getting them before others because you're connecting and can check-in ahead of the 24 hr mark... I presume you're flying out of Tyler, TX from your handle. If you're going Tyler-IAH-XXX, your 24 hr mark is before someone going IAH-XXX, so you can snag the seats before they're even eligible to check-in.

Be cautious... you might have opened up a can of worms with this thread. Many Silvers (myself included, when I was one) want CO to allow Silvers to be able to book the exit rows at the 48 hr mark, or prevent all non-elites from booking the exit rows at all. It's been hashed out on here many times, so lets not turn this thread into that. Maybe this is something that should be raised at DO IV?

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Great responese -- thanks.

Actually, my name is Tyler, and the TylerDurden reference makes me feel like a tough guy (reference to the movie). I'm based in NYC.

The whole silver/non-elite debate, is why I bring the question up. I would assume that exclusive ability to pre-book exits would be reserved for elites (silver included). Just an interesting occurance (at least to me).

As an aside, all levels of elites can pre-book exit row seats on NW. I've found that especially nice when I (a CO plat) fly NW with my wife (a CO silver). When we fly CO, only I can book exit row seats ahead of time which precludes us from sitting together in exit seats.

Not true. I've booked tickets with my Silver SO many times and we've sat together in an exit row. Either book on the same PNR or call the Elite line to have her sat next to you.

True....NW will let anyone book exit row in advance but if I'm not mistaken, it will cost you if you're not elite.