Also see
OPS 1.1005 where cabin crew training must include
the importance of correct seat allocation with reference to aeroplane mass and balance. Particular emphasis shall
also be given on the seating of disabled passengers, and the necessity of seating able-bodied passengers adjacent
to unsupervised exits;
in the appendix:
8.3.15. Cabin safety requirements. Procedures covering:
...
(b) procedures to ensure that passengers are seated where, in the event that an emergency evacuation is required,
they may best assist and not hinder evacuation from the aeroplane;
OPS 1.260:
Carriage of persons with reduced mobility
(a) An operator shall establish procedures for the carriage of persons with reduced mobility (PRMs).
(b) An operator shall ensure that PRMs are not allocated, nor occupy, seats where their presence could:
1. impede the crew in their duties;
2. obstruct access to emergency equipment; or
3. impede the emergency evacuation of the aeroplane.
OPS 1.280
Passenger seating
An operator shall establish procedures to ensure that passengers are seated where, in the event that an emergency evacuation
is required, they may best assist and not hinder evacuation from the aeroplane.
CAP789 Chapter 30 Para 9
Occupancy of Passenger Seats next to Self-Help Emergency Exits
9.1 The aircraft certification process for emergency evacuation assumes that seats next
to self-help emergency exits are occupied by passengers (or in some instances by
cabin crew). From an operational perspective, the occupancy of such seats has the
potential benefit of a passenger being able to operate the emergency exit at an early
stage if an emergency evacuation is required. If these seats are unoccupied, the
operation of the exit and subsequent evacuation could be delayed. This situation
would require passengers to move from their seats to the exit and then familiarise
themselves with its operation (the instructions for which are often located on a
passenger seat-back) prior to opening the exit.
9.2 Operators should ensure that the passenger seats immediately adjacent to self-help
emergency exits are occupied during the taxi, take-off and landing phases of flight.
Such procedures should take into account any seating restrictions for certain
categories of passengers in line with Operations Manual procedures.
9.3 Operators should also consider providing an abbreviated briefing to passengers
seated at self-help emergency exits in order to determine their suitability to occupy
those seats, seek their initial agreement to assist in an emergency and to advise them
to read and understand the operating instructions contained on the seat-back
placards, exit hatch and safety card.
Question: does this mean that they are breaking the rules by having procedures which don't ensure that passengers are seated where they can "best assist..evacuation form the aeroplane" - also known as an emergency exit row seat? I have been on a number of flights where the emergency exit row has no one in it. If no-one has paid to sit there, should cabin crew move others into those rows? Maybe this is the wrong forum for this question...