Disabled PX in Exit Row
Nov 17, 2015 | 4:29 pm
#1
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Disabled PX in Exit Row
So I just boarded my flight, UA5933 MSN - ORD. As a GS I get the benefit of pre-boarding right after passenger with disabilities. I was surprised when the PX in front of me was seated in an exit row. GA did the usual, "are you comfortable..." speech before letting him board.
Not sure what the formal policy is but I would be surprised if this passenger had any ability to quickly pick up a 35lb door and throw it with force out of the way
I considered telling the FA as Insat down but wasn't sure it was the right call. What would you do?
Not sure what the formal policy is but I would be surprised if this passenger had any ability to quickly pick up a 35lb door and throw it with force out of the way
I considered telling the FA as Insat down but wasn't sure it was the right call. What would you do?
Nov 17, 2015 | 5:40 pm
#3
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So I just boarded my flight, UA5933 MSN - ORD. As a GS I get the benefit of pre-boarding right after passenger with disabilities. I was surprised when the PX in front of me was seated in an exit row. GA did the usual, "are you comfortable..." speech before letting him board.
Not sure what the formal policy is but I would be surprised if this passenger had any ability to quickly pick up a 35lb door and throw it with force out of the way
I considered telling the FA as Insat down but wasn't sure it was the right call. What would you do?
Not sure what the formal policy is but I would be surprised if this passenger had any ability to quickly pick up a 35lb door and throw it with force out of the way
I considered telling the FA as Insat down but wasn't sure it was the right call. What would you do?
Nov 17, 2015 | 6:43 pm
#4
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Sorry if I didn't make it clear, this was someone who wasn't able to carry their own bag and was barely able to get down the jetway under their own steam.
In the end I suppose it's the GA/FA's call. Let's just say I was glad to be sitting near another exit.
Nov 17, 2015 | 7:11 pm
#5
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This is a case where letting the FA know immediately (and discreetly), most certainly before the door closed, is a necessity. That nothing happened during the flight is irrelevant.
Nov 18, 2015 | 12:10 am
#6
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In the end I chickened out and should have said something. Common sense would say that Federal Law or not, requiring assistance to board a flight should be an automatic disqualifier for sitting in the exit row.
Nov 18, 2015 | 1:35 am
#7
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I have been booted out of my (even paid) Exit row seat on UA once as I was half asleep when the FA came around to ask if everyone is ok with seating in an emergency row. I asked "Excuse me? I did not get what you just said" and based on my German accent the lovely lady decided I was not fit to sit in the emergency row since she just decided that I do not understand/speak English. 
Of course arguing that I just didn't get it as I was tired and not attentive didn't help.
Anyway, last few flights where I saw young kids or clearly disabled pax in emergency rows the FA swapped them out of their seats after the emergency briefing. And if they don't you should discretely point it out to them... did it myself once and it was no problem at all.
Of course arguing that I just didn't get it as I was tired and not attentive didn't help.
Anyway, last few flights where I saw young kids or clearly disabled pax in emergency rows the FA swapped them out of their seats after the emergency briefing. And if they don't you should discretely point it out to them... did it myself once and it was no problem at all.
Nov 18, 2015 | 7:46 am
#8
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I have been booted out of my (even paid) Exit row seat on UA once as I was half asleep when the FA came around to ask if everyone is ok with seating in an emergency row. I asked "Excuse me? I did not get what you just said" and based on my German accent the lovely lady decided I was not fit to sit in the emergency row since she just decided that I do not understand/speak English.
Of course arguing that I just didn't get it as I was tired and not attentive didn't help.
Anyway, last few flights where I saw young kids or clearly disabled pax in emergency rows the FA swapped them out of their seats after the emergency briefing. And if they don't you should discretely point it out to them... did it myself once and it was no problem at all.
Of course arguing that I just didn't get it as I was tired and not attentive didn't help.
Anyway, last few flights where I saw young kids or clearly disabled pax in emergency rows the FA swapped them out of their seats after the emergency briefing. And if they don't you should discretely point it out to them... did it myself once and it was no problem at all.
Nov 18, 2015 | 8:00 am
#9
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I was on a DL small RJ (DeltaConnection carrier) where they guy sitting next to me in the exit row was too old/feeble/senile to walk down the aisle himself or to find his own seat, sit in it, and fasten his seat belt. (His middle-aged daughter settled him into the seat, talking to him as if he were a toddler, and fastened the seat belt for him after repeated requests that he didn't understand.) Against my better judgment, I said nothing at the time even after pointedly getting the FA's eye and then looking at him when she did the emergency row briefing. (The real old guy and his daughter boarded at the very end, so there wasn't time to leave my seat to discretely mention the problem to someone.)
After thinking about the situation, I called DL the next day and it was taken very seriously.....or at least they humored me about the issue.
After thinking about the situation, I called DL the next day and it was taken very seriously.....or at least they humored me about the issue.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Nov 18, 2015 at 8:29 am Reason: typo
Nov 18, 2015 | 8:27 am
#10
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I was on a DL small RJ (DeltaConnection carrier) where they guy sitting next to me in the exit row was too old/feeble/senile to walk down the aisle himself or to find his own seat, sit in it, and fasten his seat belt. (His middle-aged daughter settled him into the seat, talking to him as if he were a toddler, and fastened the seat belt for him after repeated requests that he didn't understand.) Against my better judgment, I said nothing at the time even after pointedly getting the FA's eye and then looking at him when she did the emergency row briefing. (The real old guy and his daughter boarded at the very end, so there wasn't time to leave my seat to discretely mention the problem to someone.)
After thinking about the situation, I called DL the next day and it was taken very seriously.....or at least they humored my about the issue.
After thinking about the situation, I called DL the next day and it was taken very seriously.....or at least they humored my about the issue.
Nov 18, 2015 | 8:45 am
#11
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...until someone does.
14CFR121.585:
No certificate holder may seat a person in a seat affected by this section if the certificate holder determines that it is likely that the person would be unable to perform one or more of the applicable functions....
It's the airline that would get its peepee slapped by the FAA.
The slapping would then continue downhill.
Nov 18, 2015 | 8:47 am
#12
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(b) No certificate holder may seat a person in a seat affected by this section if the certificate holder determines that it is likely that the person would be unable to perform one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section because
(1) The person lacks sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands, and both legs:
(i) To reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of emergency exit and exit-slide operating mechanisms;
(ii) To grasp and push, pull, turn, or otherwise manipulate those mechanisms;
(iii) To push, shove, pull, or otherwise open emergency exits;
(iv) To lift out, hold, deposit on nearby seats, or maneuver over the seatbacks to the next row objects the size and weight of over-wing window exit doors;
(v) To remove obstructions similar in size and weight to over-wing exit doors;
(vi) To reach the emergency exit expeditiously;
(vii) To maintain balance while removing obstructions;
(viii) To exit expeditiously;
(ix) To stabilize an escape slide after deployment; or
(x) To assist others in getting off an escape slide;
(2) The person is less than 15 years of age or lacks the capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section without the assistance of an adult companion, parent, or other relative;
(3) The person lacks the ability to read and understand instructions required by this section and related to emergency evacuation provided by the certificate holder in printed or graphic form or the ability to understand oral crew commands.
(4) The person lacks sufficient visual capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions in paragraph (d) of this section without the assistance of visual aids beyond contact lenses or eyeglasses;
(5) The person lacks sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand instructions shouted by flight attendants, without assistance beyond a hearing aid;
(6) The person lacks the ability adequately to impart information orally to other passengers; or,
(7) The person has:
(i) A condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that might prevent the person from performing one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section; or
(ii) A condition that might cause the person harm if he or she performs one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section.
(1) The person lacks sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands, and both legs:
(i) To reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of emergency exit and exit-slide operating mechanisms;
(ii) To grasp and push, pull, turn, or otherwise manipulate those mechanisms;
(iii) To push, shove, pull, or otherwise open emergency exits;
(iv) To lift out, hold, deposit on nearby seats, or maneuver over the seatbacks to the next row objects the size and weight of over-wing window exit doors;
(v) To remove obstructions similar in size and weight to over-wing exit doors;
(vi) To reach the emergency exit expeditiously;
(vii) To maintain balance while removing obstructions;
(viii) To exit expeditiously;
(ix) To stabilize an escape slide after deployment; or
(x) To assist others in getting off an escape slide;
(2) The person is less than 15 years of age or lacks the capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section without the assistance of an adult companion, parent, or other relative;
(3) The person lacks the ability to read and understand instructions required by this section and related to emergency evacuation provided by the certificate holder in printed or graphic form or the ability to understand oral crew commands.
(4) The person lacks sufficient visual capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions in paragraph (d) of this section without the assistance of visual aids beyond contact lenses or eyeglasses;
(5) The person lacks sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand instructions shouted by flight attendants, without assistance beyond a hearing aid;
(6) The person lacks the ability adequately to impart information orally to other passengers; or,
(7) The person has:
(i) A condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that might prevent the person from performing one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section; or
(ii) A condition that might cause the person harm if he or she performs one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section.
Nov 18, 2015 | 10:58 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Disabled PX in Exit Row
It is something that should always be pointed out to the flight crew, preferably to the purser or in charge. It is a safety issue and something that is taken very seriously by airlines and the governing bodies in each country. I have seen few fines given out by Transport Canada to airlines I have worked for this reason. Too many FAs just try to avoid awkward conversations in this matter instead of doing their number one job which is the safety of the passengers.
Nov 18, 2015 | 11:50 am
#14
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It is something that should always be pointed out to the flight crew, preferably to the purser or in charge. It is a safety issue and something that is taken very seriously by airlines and the governing bodies in each country. I have seen few fines given out by Transport Canada to airlines I have worked for this reason. Too many FAs just try to avoid awkward conversations in this matter instead of doing their number one job which is the safety of the passengers.
Nov 18, 2015 | 12:56 pm
#15
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There are two options here. Either the passenger had disabilities and therefore should have been re-seated. Or the passenger was perfectly able, but claiming to have disabilities so as to board earlier. In which case he/she should have been booted off the plane and sent to the back of the queue.