The recent Hudson River landing exhibits how important it is that those sitting in the exit rows know how to operate the doors and otherwise assist with emergencies. To those to whom much is given, much is asked...or something like that.

Unless we are talking about welfare recipients.

Members of the American Society of Safety Engineers and/or Certified Safety Professionals should get first crack at those seats. Did I mention the above describes me?

At 6'5" that extra legroom is the difference between comfort and discomfort. I personally believe the seats should be held for people like me on request and then if you want one pay extra. If you are short the extra leg room is unnecessary and simply a luxury like first class.

Exit row seats would be best allocated to people that have a legitimate need for the additional room as a first priority. Passengers above 6 feet in heignt have the health risks of flying in confined seating for long periods exascerbated by the cramped quarters. The same applies to bulkhead seating.

Airlines dole out those "special" seats like gruel to the peasants. They hold on as long as they can for some sap who'll pay extra. I now scan my reservation in the last hours before takeoff and invaribly find a better seat. I have to work harder, but better than being hosed out of my money. This is just another in the long list of reasons why people hate the airlines.

These answers all suck. I personally wouldn't be willing to do anything for those seats. If the airline gives them to me, great, but I won't pay extra for them or get certified in airline safety. That said, they should sell them to the highest bidder. If nobody buys them and they want to give them to their frequent fliers or to people who've been certified in airline safety, thats fine too. As long as the people in those seats are able bodied and speak english so they can assist in emergencies I really don't care.

There is more than a little additional responsibility that comes along with these seats. The flight attendants on our last flight were more than capable of deciding who could handle the responsibility or not. They were totally checking out who was interested in reading the pamphlet and who wasn't. I don't doubt one bit that they would have changed the seat of a Passenger that they deemed unworthy. You can tell by someones attitude how serious they take it.

mickey, I highly doubt the stewardesses care about the attitude of the passenger. In all my years of flying I've sat exit row many times. Not once have I read any pamphlet. They come around and ask each passenger in exit row if they're willing to assist in an emergency, to which I (and most people) say "yes". That's pretty much it. I've definitely seen some people (frail old ladies and young kids) who likely wouldn't be of much assistance in any emergency keep their exit row seats. I have only seen one person kicked out of exit row and that was because they weren't able to speak english (and thus can't understand all crew member instructions). That is the only removal I've ever witnessed. They certainly don't take any measure to make sure you've read any pamphlet or to make sure you have any more of a clue what to do in an emergency than any other passenger. Then again, all they really expect you to do is open the door and do whatever the pilots tell you.

Cute comments.

Evacuation delays, attributable to passenger inattention to safety materials and briefings, can and do have fatal effects. And the difference between successful and unsuccessful evacuations can be a matter of only a few seconds. Passengers don't request the exit row because they want to bear the safety burden for their fellow travelers...but that exit row is all about safety!

Exit row briefings are often minimal in nature and consist only of asking passengers if they are aware of being seated in an exit row and are comfortable with their potential safety duties. Passengers then generally ignore the safety cards to which they are directed. Thus, exit row passengers fail to receive the information to prepare them for emergency evacuations, leaving them unaware of the actions they would need to take and the significance of those actions for their own safety, as well as that of their fellow passengers.

Wendy Gerwick wrote en excellent article in The Journal of Air Law and Commerce entitled "Taking Exit Row Seating Seriously." (Vol 68 No 2, Spring 2003) To combat the problem of insufficient passenger education, Wendy suggests that exit row passengers should be held liable for injuries and fatalities resulting from their inadequate attention to safety instructions. Thus, the potential liability might deter emergency exit row passengers from the negligence of ignoring emergency instructions.

However it is accomplished, improving safety is what's important. Just ask those passengers paddling around in the Hudson!

For those who think it should be given to the first person who asks... I think they shoudl be offered to the taller passengers first. For those of you who are on the shorter side, try riding in a child's car seat. That is what these airline seats feel like. I cannot lower my tray table because my knees are too high. And inevitably, the person in front of me continually slams their seat back into my knees (their seat must be stuck or have some obstruction (my knees) so they keep pushing.

Have some common sense and courtesy. In such a limited space environment it doesn't make sense. Imagine a zoo where they put an elephant in a monkey's enclosure. We'd call it cruel, yet we don't offer the same considerations to our own species.

I'm a taller guy 6'6" and most of the time the gate agents will reissue my seat assignment if they see I'm in a seat where I'll be cramped. I think taller fliers should get those seats. Why I do not like flying southwest because it is harder for taller individuals to get the adequate leg room because of the "cattle call" environment.

I am now a "Senior" at six feet with a military background but can never get exit row seating when I make a Senior discount reservation.

I am more than physically able to open any exit door/window and push paniced passengers out of the way if they are attempting to interfer with me doing what is required for the safey of us all. I have remained calm during many emergencies over the years (no, not combat) including vehicle accidents/deaths I've witnessed and helped out at, earthquakes, tornados, etc. while most others were panicked or running away. Even so I usually cannot get an exit row under any circumstances.

I usually now try to get the aisle seat in the row directly behind the wing exit rows so that I can help out or if necessary take over from a person(s) sitting in the exit row that flakes out and can't handle the situation. Hopefully neither they nor myself will ever have to actually have to experience an incident such as a crash, crash landing or other aircraft emergency that necessitates passenger involvement.

First of all, the idea that those who sit in the exit rows be "trained" is silly.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, the recent splashdown in the Hudson proves that exit rows mean more than just a comfortable seat, but, seriously, that is a one-in-a-million occurence.  How many flights take off and land every day.... every week.... every year.... WITHOUT needing the emergency exits.  Obviously, they are necessary and, just as obviously, they must be given to healthy, physically-able adults who are "willing and able to assist in an emergency".  However, it is silly to say that someone who "takes some training" should get those seats.  The fact is that everybody responds differently to a crisis.  The most physically-fit and well-trained person on the planet, may find that in a potential crash situation, they panic and curl up into the fetal position.  While at the same time, the small, meek, "nerd" type may just rise to the occasion when under grave, life-and-death pressure.  The only training that would make this idea make sense, is true military training... literally months of repetitive drilling... designed to make the operation of the exits almost reflex so even when experiencing great fear, most will do the correct thing simply as a reflex.  Since that is not possible or even plausible, this idea stinks.  Really, you would just be creating an additional type of frequent flyer who has the means and the leisure time to pay for an hour or two of training and ensure himself (or herself) that exit row seat when they can't get first class. 

Personally, I prefer the current system, which, at least on the airlines I fly, includes a combination of either giving the seats to frequent flyers and/or requiring a small added fee.  Then, on the day of flight, if any remain, give them out on a first come, first served basis (with unwritten preference going to those who are tall and could benefit more). 

Let me be clear, I am biased.  First of all, I am a semi-frequent-flyer... frequent enough to have access to exit row seats (as well as the occasional first class upgrade) on my carrier-of-choice.... and I would seriously consider other airlines if I lost that perk so it IS smart marketing on the part of the airline and it does, indeed, create loyal customers.  Also, I am 6'5" tall, and it drives me to distraction when I see somebody who is 5'2" sitting in the exit row, while I am squeezed into a middle seat so, if I am flying an airline that does not offer me easy access to an exit row, I am willing to pay a few extra dollars for the privelege.  I am NOT anything close to wealthy so besides the occasional free upgrade, first class is not an option for me.  I am, however, willing to spend a few of my hard-earned dollars for the chance to actually be able to walk when my flight lands as opposed to needing traction.       

I'm short enough to have leg room in conventional seats. I remember the first time I flew was when I was in college they said I could pay for extra leg room, but seeing as I was a college student at the time and didnt have any money to spare, I opted out. Turns out I already had a good foot of leg room anyway where I could stretch out.

I have always felt that there should be a qualified airline employee seating in this particular seat. Human nature says that a regular Joe and/or Jane Blow could very easily panic and make things worst. And what would the airline recourse be against this person for panicking? Sue him/her? Give me a freaking break!!!

Taking a course and demonstrating knowledge and ability to operate the emergency door and assist others should land you in the exit door row. I would certainly be willing to spend my time to take the course. Sad as it may be, people do lie to get those seats and paying doesn't mean you have the required knowledge or ability.

Since it was listed as one of the poll options, I wanted to point out that American Airlines  frequent flyers who reach Gold level (100k mi over lifetime) are able to reserve exit row seats when they book a flight.  I don't travel a lot but got a card while in college and eventually achieved Gold status.  So, not everyone pays extra for exit row seats.  I do, however, agree that tall people (say over 6') should get preference for unreserved exit row seats.  I'm only 5'10" but since most of my height is in my legs, fitting into regular seats is a real drag.

Two weeks ago I was seated on a Jet Blue flight in an exit row seat. There was a another exit row just behind. I read the instructions on the pamphlet in the seatback carefully and I inspected the exit hatch. Next time you read the pamphlet try to figure out how to discard the hatch upon opening--bring it into the plane or throw it out (I think the later makes more sense). The extra leg room was not all that much (but Jet Blue does allow a bit more leg room for regular seats anyway). I would definitely not pay extra for this seat since it did not recline (probably to avoid blocking another exit row directly behind) Also, the grip on the exit hatch pushed a bit inward with some loss of space to the passenger. I had a long talk with the flight attendant and learned that fuel in the wings is lighter than water, so intact planes l float on water. Opening the exit hatch can result in water coming into the plane--and the plane sinking while the passengers are exiting!