Exit row requirements
I recently flew from Zurich to Amsterdam with a major European carrier on an E190 aircraft. No passenger had elected to pay the supplement to occupy an extra leg room seat at an emergency exit. The two cabin crew demonstrated safety features including the six emergency exits. The aircraft departed with no person in the exit rows and the blinds down on the side of the aircraft facing the sun. Should blinds have been raised for departure and should emergency exits be 'manned' albeit by passengers who are prepared to take the responsibility for operation of the exit if necessary. As it is no one was briefed in any way about use of the overwing exits.