tomj888

In HNL ON UA 1690. Seated with my wife in row 7bc
Kids in row 8abc
Returning to LA. Sat in exact same seats on the way out. Queen Purser tells me we cant sit in exit row b/c we have kids behind us. I flipped out saying we did this on way out. She threatened to have me removed from the plane b/c I cursed (said ........). Little queen purser went to gate agent to try and move us or move me off of the plane.
I can't believe this is happenIng. I've flown well over 200,00 miles with kids either in front or behind me when Im in an exit row. Am I wrong?

How can you allow it forever and now change? Why was it allowed for years and not now?
This will def get me out of UA. Thats a revenue stream for a family of 5. This is still going on as we are at the gate. Any advice. More to come

Cbmaz

No such policy.

Antipode

In the case of an emergency, which is going to be on your mind:

1) fulfilling exit row duties and getting passengers out safely

2) taking care of your children who are sitting in front of/behind you.

I can't remember if there is an FAA rule or not, but you're lucky you haven't been denied before, and I side with the agent on this one.

USFdonWill

You should be allowed to sit there. I would get the purser's name to file a complaint later. But for now, be polite and do not do anything to give her grounds to kick you off the flight. You may ask to speak with the captain due this on the jetbridge away from the purser.

Just out of curiosity, how old are your kids? If they are on the younger side, I may agree with Antipode. If they are teenagers, I side with you.

Antipode

I don't know how old your kids are and whether they count as "small children", but here's a google result from FAR Part 121 Sec. 121.585

Maybe you've been lucky before, but it makes perfect sense to not allow an adult whose first priority is going to be their kids and possibly interfere with others trying to evacuate to not to sit in an exit row.

will2288

I seem to recall reading that there is a rule against what the OP was doing. Not positive about which airline (or blanket FAA rule) but this does sound familiar.

WineCountryUA

Google "kids sitting behind exit row " -- as you will see this is not new although a bit vague the age limitations.

However once you start cursing the FA you have moved into a completely different issue.

Sykes

14 CFR 121.585(b)(7)(i) prohibits someone from sitting in an exit row who has "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"

It is reasonable to assert that if a child is too young to sit in an exit row, that child may also pose a burden on the parent in the event of an emergency.

The FA is correct.

tomj888

Open door and help EVERYBODY OUT IF I CAN. IM ALSO A DR SO I CARE about all people.

raehl311

First, you're wrong. You're not eligible to be seated in the exit row if traveling with children. It not being noticed before doesn't mean it isn't still wrong now.

Second, if you're not willing to move out of the exit row when the FA asks you to, then you should be removed from the plane.

I would quickly adjust your attitude before you find yourself facing more severe consequences.

DeaconFlyer

Are your kids 13 or younger?

Antipode

It doesn't matter what you will do or won't do. It's up to the discretion of the airline and all they need to determine is that there is A POSSIBILITY of that happening to deny you the exit row. And as pointed out, it's FAA policy. Some airlines have blanket rules that if you're flying with someone who can't sit in an exit row anywhere on the plane, you yourself cannot.

designflaw

I am with the OP on this one. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be in the exit row.

raehl311

How about your wife? Is she on the same page?

Are you both on the same page when the fuselage is in a couple pieces and on fire?

If you do care about all people, wouldn't you be better off seated a few rows back where you could help injured passengers off the plane?


I don't think you're going to get much sympathy here. You're not only pulling DYKWIA, you're pulling it IN REAL TIME on an internet forum!


I'm pretty this is the kind of situation where I'm seated in 7D and clapping when they escort your DYKWIA person off the plane.

Sykes

You mean, other than federal regulations expressly prohibiting him from sitting in an exit row?