Perspectives can be quite different: The pilots have two cockpit escape windows and two passenger doors close by and the FAs are seated by the exits.
Passengers can be several rows away from the nearest exit with several score people to queue up behind.
If I'm in the back, any hint of smoke/fire and I'm going for the exit NOW.
The frail and handicapped may well be better off waiting to see how the situation develops -- and their chances will be better in the case of smoke/fire going uncontained if the bulk of passengers are already off.