Is there a minimum age requirement to sit in an exit row?

This morning there was some problem in E- and the GA came on the plane with a spray bottle and some towels. Later the FA moved up three people from E- to sit in the exit row. One of the three was a young boy, around 12 years old. It was obvious that he could not assist in the evacuation of the plane.

It bothered me, so I thought I would ask the experts here.

Federal Aviation Requirements (FARs) require any passenger seated in an exit row to be at least 15 years old. Flight attendants are required to ascertain the age of all individuals seated in the exit row, as well as their ability to conduct the functions listed on the exit row briefing card located either in the exit row seat pockets or in the exit row section of the safety card. Flight attendants are required to reseat the passengers, if they do not meet these criteria.

Happy Travels!

SFO-LAX the other week the FA when doing the exit row check, asked the age of two young girls and moved one who was 14...

If it really bothered you, you should have asked then... not NOW....

A year or so ago I actually had a flight attendant move someone sitting in the exit row beside me because he was ten years old.... He and his family were the last to board this booked flight... and I am sure the agent did not pay attention to where she placed them... they were not seated together.

William

A while back, my wife (25 at the time) had her hair up and a backpack on and was questioned whether she was old enough to sit in the exit row. When she found out the minimum age, she was rather insulted.

I, on the other hand, was actually rather pleased.

If you believe that you want to report this FA, you should contact UAL, and if inadequate response the FAA, as it's a pure violation of FARs.
Don't remember the exact FARs off hand.

Did the child verify his age aloud in your presence?

People will say anything, even lie to the FA, just to sit in the exit row.

What's insulting about being thought young??

My wife looked young enough that the casinos would simply assume she was underage up until her mid 40's. She always considered it a complement. She still likes the occasional telemarketer who asks to speak to her parents.

I would have, if I had known there was an FAA age requirement. Otherwise, I expect that the FA knows the rules.

I have had 14 yr olds moved out and replaced with 80 yr olds

Personally I think the 14 yr old was much more likely to be able to help. And what about all the people on this board that fly in the exit row and drink too much or take an Ambien.

I have also been on flights where I was the only person in the exit row and the one across from me was empty.

This is not tops on my list of things to complain about

Around 12, or was 12? If he was 15 then everything is ok. 14 or less, not so good. But there is nothing to report to UA or the FAA (as one poster suggests) if there is no PROOF the kid wasn't 15.

I thought the passenger must be 16 yo or older to sit in the exit row. Maybe I heard this from GAs, FAs, or have learned from experience during irreg ops. I now routinely mention to agents during seat reassignments to not put my kids in the exit row since they would not meet the age requirement. I do not know what the "official" age requirement is.

Ummm, people, it's printed on the cards in the seatback pocket. The ones you have said time and time and again that you carefully read when the flight attendant came by.

It's also printed on the EasyChicken screen when you have a seat in the exit row.

http://members.aol.com/premex/upload...ed/exitreq.jpg

This thread reminds me of my flight when I was 22 and a senior in college when I was interviewing with a major corporation in NYC. I was on a full-fare economy ticket from LGA to ITH (Ithaca, NY) and came to the airport in my navy blue interview suit to check-in on the flight. I was completely exhausted from a full-day of multiple interviews and asked the gate agent to put me in an exit row. At the time, I think I was Gold on USAir DM. The agent told me that I didn't meet the age requirement and I was surprised by this and she informed me that I had to be 15 to sit in the exit row. I gave her my driver's license and she put me in one immediately and apologized profusedly. I was so mad...but now I get all excited when I go out and people ask to card me...ah, to be young again.