http://blog.aopa.org/flighttraining/?p=1160 Mon, 20 May 2013 14:01:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://blog.aopa.org/flighttraining/?p=1160&cpage=1#comment-13907 Mark Rindler Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:21:49 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/flighttraining/?p=1160#comment-13907 On a recent UAL flight in a B-737 700/800 series as a passenger, after the doors had closed I noticed the emergency exit row seats were empty. I was informed that anyone who wanted to sit there would have to pay a $90.00 upgrade fee. I thought that was crazy, why even go through the expense of building the emergency exits in the first place as most airline accidents that required quick evacution (seconds can count) were successful when competent passengers were seated at those rows. That’s why kids can’t sit there. So upon further investigation, including a letter to UAL, surprise there, it still goes unanswered, I spoke with the FAA. They informed that there was no requirement to fill those seats as the crew has to demonstrate that it can successfully evacuate the aircraft using what they have. Good luck, with that. Three “calm” flight attendants trying to evacuate a couple of hundred scared and maybe hysterical people. All for $90.00. Hope NTSB never has t o make a recommendation to the FAA that the regs need to be changed because a few dozen people were found dead tyring to figure out how to open the emergency doors. (to the crew’s credit after my discussion, they did move some folks into those seats)

]]>