Let's say you're seated by a disabled exit row pax who is clearly unfit for the job. You mention it to the FA who disregards the safety issue. Obviously you can suck it up (and hope you don't die in an emergency), but if you choose to disembark, what's the protocol for doing so in a way that let's you get rebooked? (Complain to the GA? Cust Svc? Threaten/file a DOT complaint?)

In my case, the plan was to shove the old senile frail guy out of the way in an emergency.

Totally agree. After all, since he's closest to death anyways, he can get there first.

It's more like whether one person should prevent fifty from evacuating in an emergency.

That would be beyond selfish on his part.

It is the right call. Next time tell the FA. I'm a disabled passenger telling you it is okay.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
In my case, the plan was to shove the old senile frail guy out of the way in an emergency.

Originally Posted by DaveBlaine
Totally agree. After all, since he's closest to death anyways, he can get there first.

Who are you people? You come on a public forum and disparage others like that? And it is allowed? Discussing this as a safety issue is one thing, but this lack of respect for older or disabled people is uncalled for.

The old guy endangered everyone else. If things go south others shouldn't be endangered by his selfish actions.

Get up, go to talk to the FA and ask to talk to the captain. Tell them to fix it or you're going to talk to management. Take a picture if you want. The safety rules tend to get taken serious.

In the modern day and age of annoying morons on social media, it's hard for an FA to do their job. They move a disabled person and there's 10k retweets about how they're evil. You complaining should have set things in motion.

Actually had this happen on a recent flight, but with a positive outcome.

Flying AS SJC-SJD. Older lady (70-80's), fully there mentally, but used a wheelchair down the jetway, and boarded with a single walking crutch was seated in an exit row.

As the flight attendant helping with boarding realized she stowed a crutch, she asked the passenger if she was physically able and willing to help and can she pick up a 35# door? Her response was yes. A few minutes later the purser and one of the gate agents came down and spoke to her again and let her know that they were sorry but they'd have to reseat her.

They ended up moving her and her companion to another row and offered them drinks for their troubles. Not always what you want to do, but when it comes to safety, sometimes you have to.

^ Agree, nicely handled by FA. A bit risky as ou81two pointed out in this era of flying off the twitter handle so easily, but all the more admirable for it.

I don't understand how there could be a question about whether someone who boards early in a wheelchair is qualified to sit in an exit row. Moreover, the travel companion should also automatically be reseated as he might be distracted by trying to help her in an emergency rather than performing his exit row duties (just as people traveling with children are forbidden to sit in exit rows even if the kids are not in the exit row).

Wow! I saw one of these in 1995. I think it was a 767 .... very memorable ride. The last decades, I think I have been on more flights where they VDBed and IDBed pax than those who had a few empty seats :( .

I was on a completely empty MD-80 not long ago. Was pretty funny.I was sneaky to find the lfight. the other people on my place got stuck at hotels near the airport overnight.

Whilst I tend to agree with you, there are those who use a wheelchair service as they can't stand for long / walk very far without pain, say a twisted ankle, a knee injury, plantar fasciitis etc. where walking and standing around can be painful. That is a completely different physical attribute than being able to obey instructions, lift a door, and exit the plane speedily. There is a difference between optimizing your everyday comfort while you have a minor injury, and being incapable of acting in an emergency.