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Emergency exit row seats

Ann-Marie

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
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Location
Oyster Bay, NY & Sun City, S.C.
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The Summit @ Massunetten, Sheraton Desert Oasis
So, what is the trick to getting one of these seats? I while ago I was told to ask at the counter when getting boarding passes. Everytime I try that, I am told I have to try at the counter at the gate. They are only assigned by the agent at the gate. I have been first in line several times, and am always told that there are none available. That they are all gone. So, what's the scoop?
 
Here's been our epxerience with exit rows. BubbaQ is a near 7-footer so exit rows and bulkheads are quite important to him.

Some airlines will let you book the exit rows, some don't. If a flight is absolutely full, someone gets booked into those seats regardless, which is why the flight attendants might have to move kids from the exit rows.

After I've made our reservations I usually call the airline and put a request on at least one of our tickets for the exit row, explain the height thing, and we usually are accommodated. If they show it as completely booked, they will tell us to show up early and ask at both the ticket counter and the gate. 90% of the time the ticket counter makes the change for him. If not, at the gate counter we ask them to let us know if an exit row seat opens up, so we go into a wait list que. If he still doesn't get extra legroom after that, when we board we ask the flight attendants to consider BubbaQ if they move someone ... often they offer it up first.

Course, the flip side is while he kinda has enough legroom, the seats squeeze his hip bones. I don't know which is worse for him.

So our experience is travel with somone really really tall. :D
 
Many airlines allow elite members of the airline's FF program to book exit row seats when buying a ticket. Thus, those seats are not available when you get to the airport.

If you check in and find out that there are no exit row seats available, go to the counter at the gate. Have your boarding pass in hand, present it to the agent and ask if you can stand by for an exit row seat if one becomes available.

A few of those seats often do free up just about the time boarding starts. Originally, they were booked by elite fliers who are now standing by, hoping for an upgrade to first class. Those last-minute upgrades usually aren't handed out until about 20-30 minutes before departure, when it's determined that (1) no more first class seats will be sold, (2) some first class passengers will be no-shows and/or (3) some connecting passengers will arrive late on an earlier flight and miss your flight.

When those upgrades are confirmed, they are often confirmed to passengers who had been assigned exit row seats, freeing them up for you!
 
What Dave said. I have Elite status and it's very rare that I can't get an exit row seat when I book my ticket. How often do you fly? Maybe there's a way for you or your husband to get elite status on the airline you fly the most.
 
Once I was on a very very full flight and I gave up my aisle seat for a couple with an infant. The flight attendant put me in a middle seat in the exit row...which was nice for the legroom, because I'm tall.

But you know how the people in the exit row are supposed to be physically capable of opening the exit door? Well, the woman by the window had a knee-high cast and crutches and the woman on the aisle was at least eight months pregnant. I guess they thought I looked like a sturdy type.
 
wackymother said:
Once I was on a very very full flight and I gave up my aisle seat for a couple with an infant. The flight attendant put me in a middle seat in the exit row...which was nice for the legroom, because I'm tall.

But you know how the people in the exit row are supposed to be physically capable of opening the exit door? Well, the woman by the window had a knee-high cast and crutches and the woman on the aisle was at least eight months pregnant. I guess they thought I looked like a sturdy type.

That's absolutely against regulations. I had an exit row seat booked for my trip to Cancun in April. I broke my elbow 3 days before the trip. I had my arm in a sling but I never even thought about the exit row thing. When I took my seat, one of the FA's told the boarding FA that I wouldn't be able to sit there. They moved me to another seat.
 
We came back from NOLA once on Continental. The plane was late and the flight attendent told everyone to just sit down so the pilot could pull away from the gate. In the exit row were two men ( and I am exaggerating a bit, but not by much) who would probably not fit through the exit row door, let alone be able to open it. I also felt sorry for the guy in the middle seat.

Bruce W
 
The persons in an exit row are supposed to be able to open the doors and assist others in getting out during an emergency. If the person is not able or willing to do this they should not be in the exit row.

I asked flight attendants several times regarding elderly passengers in exit rows. Every time the flight attendants have moved the passengers to other seats after explaining to the passengers what they must be able to do.

While the exit rows provide more space, along with them come responsibility to help others in the unlikely event of an emergency. This shouldnt be taken lightly.
 
Be sure to avoid the row immediately before the exit row - - its seats don't recline!
Likewise if there are a pair of exit rows, the first in the pair also won't recline, so the leg room you gain may be offset by the discomfort of sitting upright.
 
gmarine,

As you mentioned you should not take this lightly, as a matter of fact I believe when I have requested this I have been asked if I could lift 50 lbs. At the time I could. Couldn't run with 50 lbs, but I sure as heck would be able to lift that door out.

Right now I wouldn't be able to, so wouldn't request it.

For the record that is not why I sign in as Moosie!
 
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