I think you've picked up on what I meant. I always say "yes", and I always sit there if I have any choice in the matter (mainly for the extra legroom). But I suspect the people on this thread who said "not sure" were thinking along exactly those slightly pedantic lines when actually their willingness/ability is the same as mine, which is why I said - just say yes if you don't have a fundamental objection to it!

(I only once saw someone say "no", and it was a fortunate situation - due to an aircraft swap I'd ended up out of the exit row and was more than happy to swap back!)

The only time it really concerns me is if I see either an elderly person[1] there, or an ageing, overweight businessman who has probably spent the last hour drinking in the lounge. I'd far rather see a 14 year old there than that, TBH. But the reality is that it's quite unlikely to be a problem, and if the person right next to the door doesn't open it and someone else wants out, they'll soon be shifted, by force if necessary.

[1] Even a fairly healthy one, as old bones are more likely to be broken in an impact than younger ones, IYSWIM. I went flying down a railway station platform on ice a couple of weeks ago, hit the floor fairly hard (fortunately didn't end up on the track) which ripped my trousers (but I managed not to spill my coffee! :) ). Annoying and embarrassing, but had it been someone quite a bit older they might well have ended up with broken bones. (Indeed, my boss, who if I recall is about 20 years older than me, ended up off work for a week due to a similar incident the same week).

Neil

I love the internet tough guys. I don't think you'll know how you will respond in a burning aircraft until it happens unless you're a fireman or have been in combat or in another situation where your life could end very quickly and violently.