Thanks for confirming bmibaby's policy. I won't be travelling on them now. An airline which charges money for the emergency exit seat is not safety orientated. If anyone can confirm carriers which do the same thing I'll be most grateful. Personally, I think the CAA should stamp on the practice.
WRT the "petite woman" situation, it would depend on the aircraft type. I believe bmibaby use older 737s, -500 models or similar? Remember in the Manchester fire, a yound lady was sat in the exit row seat and attempted to open the door. It fell in on top of her, trapping her & costing vital seconds in evacuating the aircraft. I know that was a 732 and changes may have been made, but "petite" cabin crew have been trained to use the doors. Petite SLF, male or female haven't & do not know how heavy/cumbersome said door is.
73NGs are not such a problem as the door remains attached to the aircraft and swings up, but bmibaby don't have these?