Old ex Air Force engineer mate of mine paid $20 extra with Jetstar to sit in an emergency exit row to have more leg room. Gets to the aircraft and is shown his seat next to the emergency exit. Next minute, he is told by the FA that because he is old (he is over six feet tall and strong - but age 84) the rules require an able-bodied person to be seated next to the emergency exit.
Because the old bloke is regarded by the FA as not "able-bodied" he is shifted to a normal seat with precious little leg room. To add insult to injury no refund of his $20 is offered. He is a polite chap and didn't push it.
How does the cabin crew define "able-bodied"? Obviously a very arbitrary decision but I wonder at what age does a passenger fall into the category of "non-able bodied"?
Idea...why not carry a set of 30 kg dumbells on the aircraft and if you can't lift them above waist height you are not able-bodied and can't have the emergency exit window. . Might knock out a few flight attendants - who knows?.
