I've had check-in staff select me as a suitable candidate for an Exit seat on the basis that I was able-bodied, a frequent flyer (therefore at least very familiar with safety briefings if not the actual door operation), and travelling alone (therefore not likely to worry about a relative on the same plane). Seemed fairly sensible criteria.
On many aircraft, what you gain in legroom and apparent ease of going to the loo from an emergency exit seat has to be offset against your video screen and tray table coming out of the armrest and hampering movement. Or even worst these plug-in trays the CC give you at mealtimes.
Am I right in thinking that on-line checkin and seat preselection systems as a general rule block exit seats?