Hi again,
Thanks for your replies. It's good to see that I'm not alone in my thoughts on this issue.
I think that the next time I find myself in the same position I'll ask on board if I can be seated next to the exit.
I find it incredible that because of the daft class divisions that BMI still persist with on internal flights an able bodied passenger willing to man an exit is not allowed to do so because they have not spent enough on their ticket!
Obviously I can appreciate that airlines get a lot of money from their business and first class fares. I have no problem with that. I do have a problem however when passenger safety is at risk.
CM