TightSlot (interesting handle BTW), I absolutely take on board (another pun) what you say. The point of my post was to stimulate discussion on a problem which afflicts 1000s of travellers. I suppose the bottom line is that economy class on just about every carrier is just too cramped and I feel there is a groundswell of opinion which, eventually, will get the situation improved. Your mention of the safety issue is very valid and as a PPL I fully agree. However, I feel that the legroom problem far outweighs the number of occasions when someone near an exit is so vertically challenged that they may not be able to open the door. The whole issue of pax comfort needs addressing and as a wind of change is blowing through the industry this might be an oportune time to do it.
Del