Boeing 737 series 700 and 800 emergency exit rows.
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I very rarely travel DJ, but on my last trip with them, was assigned 1A. Was asked if prepared to assist in addition to being given a briefing.
Also, when travelling with QF, pax in overwing exit rows are also asked if willing to assist and are given a briefing. The quantity of the briefings sometimes vary.
This is a bit of a 'pet' of mine and very happy that this occurs, although I am concerned that most non-industry pax treat this with a degree of 'lip service', assuming it is only to meet some regulatory requirement.
History shows that if the proverbial hits the air circulating device, things will happen very quickly. Always assume the potential incapacitation of one or more F/A's.
Also, when travelling with QF, pax in overwing exit rows are also asked if willing to assist and are given a briefing. The quantity of the briefings sometimes vary.
This is a bit of a 'pet' of mine and very happy that this occurs, although I am concerned that most non-industry pax treat this with a degree of 'lip service', assuming it is only to meet some regulatory requirement.
History shows that if the proverbial hits the air circulating device, things will happen very quickly. Always assume the potential incapacitation of one or more F/A's.
Bottums Up
surfnsun
I've found that of recent times, when seated in an overwing exit row I've been asked if I'm happy to assist, and "do I understand the briefing card?". That's been the extent of the special attention.
Surprisingly there was a guy next to me who was so big he sought my assistance to do his seat belt up. He couldn't have assisted because of his physical size, which was such that I doubt he'd have been able to exit the aircraft, other than through the normal doors.
I've found that of recent times, when seated in an overwing exit row I've been asked if I'm happy to assist, and "do I understand the briefing card?". That's been the extent of the special attention.
Surprisingly there was a guy next to me who was so big he sought my assistance to do his seat belt up. He couldn't have assisted because of his physical size, which was such that I doubt he'd have been able to exit the aircraft, other than through the normal doors.
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"happy to assist"
Happy to assist, doing what?
Opening the exit(s)? Were you shown how?
Restraining over zealous pax?
As crew are in uniform, they are easily identified by passengers, and are more likely to be taken notice of by passengers during an emergency, than by someone indistinguishable from the rest of the melee.
So perhaps our "designated helpers" in these emergency rows, should be given more comprehensive briefings, and there should be quick don, high visibilty vests stored either in the o'head locker, or under their seats, that make them readily identifiable as an asistant.
In my opinion, I believe there's only lip service given to this Civil Aviation Authority requirement (of every country) of airlines to allocate certain people (and deny others) to emergency exit row seats, at this point in time.
Happy to assist, doing what?
Opening the exit(s)? Were you shown how?
Restraining over zealous pax?
As crew are in uniform, they are easily identified by passengers, and are more likely to be taken notice of by passengers during an emergency, than by someone indistinguishable from the rest of the melee.
So perhaps our "designated helpers" in these emergency rows, should be given more comprehensive briefings, and there should be quick don, high visibilty vests stored either in the o'head locker, or under their seats, that make them readily identifiable as an asistant.
In my opinion, I believe there's only lip service given to this Civil Aviation Authority requirement (of every country) of airlines to allocate certain people (and deny others) to emergency exit row seats, at this point in time.
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The job of a passenger seated in the emergency exit row is to open the hatch and get the f**K out of the way ie get out. They are not their to assist other passengers, that is the job of the crew. The whole able body person comes from being able to open the hatch and get out quickly, not necessarily assisting other people.
Evertonian
I don't mind the vests, but there's no way I'm growing a moustache like that!
surfnsun Did the crew, or the card, clearly show you how to open the door & understand if the door was armed? Did it show you what to look for prior to opening it? I'm just curious 'tis all.
I recall, many moons ago, that you never got asked these questions at overwing exits & on the jumbos it definately never happened (of course, crew sit there!). Perhaps, as Chief Cook points out, this is an exercise in shifting liability.
surfnsun Did the crew, or the card, clearly show you how to open the door & understand if the door was armed? Did it show you what to look for prior to opening it? I'm just curious 'tis all.
I recall, many moons ago, that you never got asked these questions at overwing exits & on the jumbos it definately never happened (of course, crew sit there!). Perhaps, as Chief Cook points out, this is an exercise in shifting liability.
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Those questions you ask surfnsun, are ones I would like answered too.
I'm not so much concerned with airlines trying to shift liability, but I believe that if a "nominated person", who accepts the responsibility, does harm people or persons as a direct result of their actions during an evacuation, they may well become liable for damages action. Do the airlines cover them, legally and financially, in this case?
Well that is certainly not my understanding. Those "nominated persons" may also be asked to assist with the actual evacuation of some pax who might have trouble evacuating eg. the infirmed and elderly, or injured.
The "nominated person" might also be used to restrain pax from overcrowding the exit in use, or be used to stop pax from evacuating through an unusable exit.
As a previous poster said, only "lip service" is currently given to what may potentially be a life-threatening position for the "nominated people", and the passengers on board, as well as the Flight Attendant who supposedly briefed the emergency exit row occupants.
Do the airlines care?
They will once the lawsuits start!
Do the F/A's care?
They will, once they are made responsible for the lack of information given to those "nominated persons"!
I'm not so much concerned with airlines trying to shift liability, but I believe that if a "nominated person", who accepts the responsibility, does harm people or persons as a direct result of their actions during an evacuation, they may well become liable for damages action. Do the airlines cover them, legally and financially, in this case?
The job of a passenger seated in the emergency exit row is to open the hatch and get the f**K out of the way ie get out.
The "nominated person" might also be used to restrain pax from overcrowding the exit in use, or be used to stop pax from evacuating through an unusable exit.
As a previous poster said, only "lip service" is currently given to what may potentially be a life-threatening position for the "nominated people", and the passengers on board, as well as the Flight Attendant who supposedly briefed the emergency exit row occupants.
Do the airlines care?
They will once the lawsuits start!
Do the F/A's care?
They will, once they are made responsible for the lack of information given to those "nominated persons"!
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Interesting points raised.
Statistically, in emergency situations it is the self-help exits (which are usually overwing exits) that are most often opened. This is because passengers are not educated in how to check safe and assess prior to opening the exit and then also what exactly to do once the exit is opened. I do not believe, and think any reasonable person would agree, that a pax should be expected to know this information - this is why crew are on board and receive the relevant training.
So therefore, if a pax did open an overwing exit in an emergency situation and by doing this ended up harming people because of this action, would not be considered liable.
The exit row briefing is to ascertain that the people sitting in the exit row are both able and willing to ASSIST in the event of an emergency. The briefing does not constitute a "training" of the pax so therefore I do not believe there is any liability.
If you were seated in an exit row and did not receive a briefing, then I believe you need to speak up (manage upwards!) and insist your row is briefed - it could save your life.
Just MHO
SG
Statistically, in emergency situations it is the self-help exits (which are usually overwing exits) that are most often opened. This is because passengers are not educated in how to check safe and assess prior to opening the exit and then also what exactly to do once the exit is opened. I do not believe, and think any reasonable person would agree, that a pax should be expected to know this information - this is why crew are on board and receive the relevant training.
So therefore, if a pax did open an overwing exit in an emergency situation and by doing this ended up harming people because of this action, would not be considered liable.
The exit row briefing is to ascertain that the people sitting in the exit row are both able and willing to ASSIST in the event of an emergency. The briefing does not constitute a "training" of the pax so therefore I do not believe there is any liability.
If you were seated in an exit row and did not receive a briefing, then I believe you need to speak up (manage upwards!) and insist your row is briefed - it could save your life.
Just MHO
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CASA defines an exit seat as any seat that is in a row of seats adjoining an exit.
On the 737-700 and 800, that is any seat in the emergency exit row/s and on DJ aircraft where there is no bulkhead, seats 1ABC.
The following is copied from CASA's website.
CASA does not currently have any regulations, (other than for passengers who are handicapped and for infants), specifically related to who may be seated at an over-wing exit row on an aircraft.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation and provides advice to airlines on the criteria for appropriate passengers to be seated in over-wing exit rows.
This includes:
able-bodied
a minimum of 15 years old
can understand and converse in English
are not travelling with an infant
are not travelling with someone who requires their assistance in an emergency
are willing to provide assistance to cabin crew and other passengers in the event of an emergency.
Cabin crew can move a passenger if they do not meet the criteria and passengers can also asked to be moved to another seat if they are uncomfortable with the requirements of being an over-wing exit row passenger.
CASA is currently drafting new regulations in Part 121, which will contain specific regulations regarding exit rows.
Airlines therefore have their own policies regarding who can/can not be seated in an exit seat.
At Virgin Blue, pax allocated an overwing seat are asked at check-in if they are willing to assist cabin crew in an emergency. If they agree to this and they meet the coy's policy they are then allocated a seat. Once on board the cabin crew will ask a series of scripted questions to confirm that
a) they were told they are sitting in an emergency row;
b) that they are willing to help open exits in the unlikely event of an emergency;
c) they have read the safety instruction card and are familiar with the operation of exit;
d) they are asked if they have any questions.
We do not individually brief the pax in 1ABC.
However, if it is known that there will be an emergency landing, cabin crew will assign ABP's to each exit and a more detailed brief will take place. This includes scenarios for an incapacitated crew member, checking whether or not the exit is safe to use, how to operate the exit (both door and window exits), their features (slides etc) and also how to evacuate safely.
I agree with SydGirl, if you're not briefed and you are sitting in an emergency exit, speak up.
I hope this helps answer some questions.
On the 737-700 and 800, that is any seat in the emergency exit row/s and on DJ aircraft where there is no bulkhead, seats 1ABC.
The following is copied from CASA's website.
CASA does not currently have any regulations, (other than for passengers who are handicapped and for infants), specifically related to who may be seated at an over-wing exit row on an aircraft.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation and provides advice to airlines on the criteria for appropriate passengers to be seated in over-wing exit rows.
This includes:
able-bodied
a minimum of 15 years old
can understand and converse in English
are not travelling with an infant
are not travelling with someone who requires their assistance in an emergency
are willing to provide assistance to cabin crew and other passengers in the event of an emergency.
Cabin crew can move a passenger if they do not meet the criteria and passengers can also asked to be moved to another seat if they are uncomfortable with the requirements of being an over-wing exit row passenger.
CASA is currently drafting new regulations in Part 121, which will contain specific regulations regarding exit rows.
Airlines therefore have their own policies regarding who can/can not be seated in an exit seat.
At Virgin Blue, pax allocated an overwing seat are asked at check-in if they are willing to assist cabin crew in an emergency. If they agree to this and they meet the coy's policy they are then allocated a seat. Once on board the cabin crew will ask a series of scripted questions to confirm that
a) they were told they are sitting in an emergency row;
b) that they are willing to help open exits in the unlikely event of an emergency;
c) they have read the safety instruction card and are familiar with the operation of exit;
d) they are asked if they have any questions.
We do not individually brief the pax in 1ABC.
However, if it is known that there will be an emergency landing, cabin crew will assign ABP's to each exit and a more detailed brief will take place. This includes scenarios for an incapacitated crew member, checking whether or not the exit is safe to use, how to operate the exit (both door and window exits), their features (slides etc) and also how to evacuate safely.
I agree with SydGirl, if you're not briefed and you are sitting in an emergency exit, speak up.
I hope this helps answer some questions.
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I only fly on QF, and when in cattle, always ask for an overwing exit seat.
On my recent QF flights, I have noted that the exit is of the push up variety.
Prior to take-off, the crew checked with pax in the rows if they understood the exit information card that was placed on the seat; that we were able and willing to open the exit; and then explained the circumstances under which the exit was no to be opened.
As noted above, I too get a little nervous when I see pax that should not be sitting in exit seats/rows. The extra space is to allow the ready evacuation of passengers in teh event of an emergency, not to allow some fat b*stard/women with screaming kid etc. to travel in a bit more luxury.
I. of course. do not fit into these categories, so I SHOULD be given the row each time i fly!
On my recent QF flights, I have noted that the exit is of the push up variety.
Prior to take-off, the crew checked with pax in the rows if they understood the exit information card that was placed on the seat; that we were able and willing to open the exit; and then explained the circumstances under which the exit was no to be opened.
As noted above, I too get a little nervous when I see pax that should not be sitting in exit seats/rows. The extra space is to allow the ready evacuation of passengers in teh event of an emergency, not to allow some fat b*stard/women with screaming kid etc. to travel in a bit more luxury.
I. of course. do not fit into these categories, so I SHOULD be given the row each time i fly!
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"However, if it is KNOWN that there will be an emergency landing,"
Most emergencies to date have been UNplanned.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members - this means not only opening the emergency exit, but also assisting with other duties, such as I have outlined above, eg. restrain pax from overcrowding the exit in use, or be used to stop pax from evacuating through an unusable exit.
CASA are placing the responsibility on the airline.
The airline is placing the responsibilty on the F/A's.
The F/A's are then advising exit row pax that THEY may be responsible in an emergency situation. This applies especially to overwing exit pax, as F/A's are seated ONLY fore and aft, and are unlikely to be able to get through the melee of pax, following an accident!
Most emergencies to date have been UNplanned.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members - this means not only opening the emergency exit, but also assisting with other duties, such as I have outlined above, eg. restrain pax from overcrowding the exit in use, or be used to stop pax from evacuating through an unusable exit.
CASA are placing the responsibility on the airline.
The airline is placing the responsibilty on the F/A's.
The F/A's are then advising exit row pax that THEY may be responsible in an emergency situation. This applies especially to overwing exit pax, as F/A's are seated ONLY fore and aft, and are unlikely to be able to get through the melee of pax, following an accident!
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Capt Claret
Re the pax next to you, it is disappointing that either the person allocating them the seat, or the F/A's, did not seek to seat him somewhere else. Seems that they may have done so more for the person's convenience, given his size. Disappointing. A CAIR report, or similar, might not have gone astray.
I'm not saying the system is perfect but it does raise, in those passengers minds, a degree of awareness that they may actually have to open the exit should the worst happen.
It's not long ago that there weren't any specific exit row briefings given to pax. Save for a complex briefing pre-flight, including an overview of human factors covering a person's reaction in times of stress, etc, etc, I'm not sure how else this should be best managed.
One option might be for the airlines adopt a voluntary system of identifying, through FF programs, pax who are also aircrew, in consideration of their 20:11, CRM, TEM, etc., training. These pax could then be given preference for exit row seating. Not sure how this would be received though.
Flying Frypan
Just re-read your post. I note your comment that DJ do not give a brief for pax in 1ABC. My colleague and I received one anyway on a flight ex ML some weeks ago. Obviously a little extra that was noted and appreciated.
Buster Hymen
Re the DJ flight, if I recall correctly, the card showed how to open the exit, but doesn't indicate if it is armed. A non-aviation pax probably wouldn't know what is meant by 'armed'. Opening the door deploys the slide, therefore it is assumed it is used in an armed condition.
Re the pax next to you, it is disappointing that either the person allocating them the seat, or the F/A's, did not seek to seat him somewhere else. Seems that they may have done so more for the person's convenience, given his size. Disappointing. A CAIR report, or similar, might not have gone astray.
I'm not saying the system is perfect but it does raise, in those passengers minds, a degree of awareness that they may actually have to open the exit should the worst happen.
It's not long ago that there weren't any specific exit row briefings given to pax. Save for a complex briefing pre-flight, including an overview of human factors covering a person's reaction in times of stress, etc, etc, I'm not sure how else this should be best managed.
One option might be for the airlines adopt a voluntary system of identifying, through FF programs, pax who are also aircrew, in consideration of their 20:11, CRM, TEM, etc., training. These pax could then be given preference for exit row seating. Not sure how this would be received though.
Flying Frypan
Just re-read your post. I note your comment that DJ do not give a brief for pax in 1ABC. My colleague and I received one anyway on a flight ex ML some weeks ago. Obviously a little extra that was noted and appreciated.
Buster Hymen
Re the DJ flight, if I recall correctly, the card showed how to open the exit, but doesn't indicate if it is armed. A non-aviation pax probably wouldn't know what is meant by 'armed'. Opening the door deploys the slide, therefore it is assumed it is used in an armed condition.
Last edited by surfnsun; 20th Nov 2005 at 08:46.
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Interesting discussion relating to the liability aspects of exit row briefings. Certainly, it would appear that there are lawyers out there looking to capitalize on incidents and accidents that may choose to explore this as yet another source of revenue. 
The only published work relating to this topic that I am aware of is an article found in the Journal of Air Law and Commerce from 2003 titled Taking exit row seating seriously. However, the article was looking more at the fact that most passengers in exit rows ignore the safety information presented to them (either by way of briefing, placard or safety features card) and the potential legal implications for the passenger. The author suggested that, "...holding exit row passengers liable for damages resulting from their inattention to safety materials would deter exit row passengers from ignoring safety information and compensate those victims harmed..." (Gerwick, 2003).
Putting aside for the moment the supposed legal implications, there are many years of safety studies that have demonstrated the importance of safety briefings in successful evacuations.
NTSB/SS-85/09, Safety Study – Airline Passenger Safety Education: A Review of Methods Used to Present Safety Information
NTSB/SS-00/01, Safety Study – Emergency Evacuation of Commercial Airplanes
TSB SA9501 A Safety Study of Evacuations of Large, Passenger-Carrying Aircraft
DOT/FAA/AM - Access-to-egress I: Interactive effects of factors that control the emergency evacuation of naïve passengers through the transport airplane Type-III overwing exit
CAAP 253-2(0) Passenger safety information: Guidelines on content and standard of safety information to be provided to passengers by aircraft operators
CBAAC 0181 - Passenger Seating Requirements
CBAAC 0188 - Passenger Safety Briefings
FODCOM 22/2001 - Briefing of Passengers at Type III Emergency Exits
INCREASING THE SURVIVAL RATE IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS impact protection, fire survivability and evacuation
FSA Aug 2005 - "EVACUATE. EVACUATE. EVACUATE."
FSF Cabin Crew Safety - Many Passengers in Exit Seats Benefit From Additional Briefings
FAR 121.585 - Exit Seating
AC 121-24C - Passenger Safety Information Briefing and Briefing Cards
The only published work relating to this topic that I am aware of is an article found in the Journal of Air Law and Commerce from 2003 titled Taking exit row seating seriously. However, the article was looking more at the fact that most passengers in exit rows ignore the safety information presented to them (either by way of briefing, placard or safety features card) and the potential legal implications for the passenger. The author suggested that, "...holding exit row passengers liable for damages resulting from their inattention to safety materials would deter exit row passengers from ignoring safety information and compensate those victims harmed..." (Gerwick, 2003).
Putting aside for the moment the supposed legal implications, there are many years of safety studies that have demonstrated the importance of safety briefings in successful evacuations.
NTSB/SS-85/09, Safety Study – Airline Passenger Safety Education: A Review of Methods Used to Present Safety Information
NTSB/SS-00/01, Safety Study – Emergency Evacuation of Commercial Airplanes
TSB SA9501 A Safety Study of Evacuations of Large, Passenger-Carrying Aircraft
DOT/FAA/AM - Access-to-egress I: Interactive effects of factors that control the emergency evacuation of naïve passengers through the transport airplane Type-III overwing exit
CAAP 253-2(0) Passenger safety information: Guidelines on content and standard of safety information to be provided to passengers by aircraft operators
CBAAC 0181 - Passenger Seating Requirements
CBAAC 0188 - Passenger Safety Briefings
FODCOM 22/2001 - Briefing of Passengers at Type III Emergency Exits
INCREASING THE SURVIVAL RATE IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS impact protection, fire survivability and evacuation
FSA Aug 2005 - "EVACUATE. EVACUATE. EVACUATE."
FSF Cabin Crew Safety - Many Passengers in Exit Seats Benefit From Additional Briefings
FAR 121.585 - Exit Seating
AC 121-24C - Passenger Safety Information Briefing and Briefing Cards
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From one of CD's many (excellent) references:-
Each certificate holder shall include on passenger information cards, presented in the language in which briefings and oral commands are given by the crew, at each exit seat affected by this section, information that, in the event of an emergency in which a crewmember is not available to assist, a passenger occupying an exit seat may use if called upon to perform the following functions:
(1) Locate the emergency exit;
(2) Recognize the emergency exit opening mechanism;
(3) Comprehend the instructions for operating the emergency exit;
(4) Operate the emergency exit;
(5) Assess whether opening the emergency exit will increase the hazards to which passengers may be exposed;
(6) Follow oral directions and hand signals given by a crewmember;
(7) Stow or secure the emergency exit door so that it will not impede use of the exit;
(8) Assess the condition of an escape slide, activate the slide, and stabilize the slide after deployment to assist others in getting off the slide;
(9) Pass expeditiously through the emergency exit; and
(10) Assess, select, and follow a safe path away from the emergency exit.
Each certificate holder shall include on passenger information cards, presented in the language in which briefings and oral commands are given by the crew, at each exit seat affected by this section, information that, in the event of an emergency in which a crewmember is not available to assist, a passenger occupying an exit seat may use if called upon to perform the following functions:
(1) Locate the emergency exit;
(2) Recognize the emergency exit opening mechanism;
(3) Comprehend the instructions for operating the emergency exit;
(4) Operate the emergency exit;
(5) Assess whether opening the emergency exit will increase the hazards to which passengers may be exposed;
(6) Follow oral directions and hand signals given by a crewmember;
(7) Stow or secure the emergency exit door so that it will not impede use of the exit;
(8) Assess the condition of an escape slide, activate the slide, and stabilize the slide after deployment to assist others in getting off the slide;
(9) Pass expeditiously through the emergency exit; and
(10) Assess, select, and follow a safe path away from the emergency exit.
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"Are you familiar with, and willing to accept, the requiremnents and responsibilities associated with occupying an emergency exit row seat?", at initial check-in seat allocation by check in staff, and again after boarding by an F/A.
When you live....
Is it true that Virgin Blue sell their exit row seats at $30 a pop, and call it the "Blue Zone"?
UTR.
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It might sound silly to tell you to read the instructions (what man ever does that?), however on a recent trip in an MD80 the hostie asked if I was familiar with the operation of the door, to which I replied "no" because she was a hottie and I wanted her to explain it... to my surprise when she did explain, I was amazed to find the door was completely different to all others on anything I had travelled on before and it actually opened inwards!
Read the manual!
Read the manual!
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Evacuation...
What has happened to passengers who do not comply with the safety instructions in emergency?
Example, the Toronto AF crash... No one died and a limited number of people received injuries.
In an evacuation, the passengers are supposed not to take their cabin baggage, since it is liable to hinder evacuation. However, in the AF case, many did and many did not. Cabin luggage left behind burned while those who took their cabin baggage saved it.
Now, were the passengers found having baggage after evacuation punished for violation of safety instructions, did they have their baggage confiscated or something else? Are there any cases where surviving passengers of a crash are blamed afterwards for misbehaving in this or any other manner?
Example, the Toronto AF crash... No one died and a limited number of people received injuries.
In an evacuation, the passengers are supposed not to take their cabin baggage, since it is liable to hinder evacuation. However, in the AF case, many did and many did not. Cabin luggage left behind burned while those who took their cabin baggage saved it.
Now, were the passengers found having baggage after evacuation punished for violation of safety instructions, did they have their baggage confiscated or something else? Are there any cases where surviving passengers of a crash are blamed afterwards for misbehaving in this or any other manner?
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99% of aircraft accidents are going to be unexpected.
As the pax seated in the emergency exit rows are UNLIKELY to receive instructions from the (dead) cockpit crew - and as the aircraft is likely to be:
(i) on fire;
(ii) in a very unusual attitude;
(iii) in a state of unrecognisable condition......
they now become the carrier's DESIGNATED PERSONNEL for that emergency EXIT.
Have they been FULLY briefed?
They are - after all - now FULLY RESPONSIBLE for handling the EMERGENCY EXIT adjacent to where they are seated, according to the blah-blah they were handed at check-in.
IF they open the exit, and it was UNSAFE to have done so, they must now wear the full LEGAL responsibility of their actions.
Will the airline cover these responsibilities (is THAT why VB charge their emergency row occupants the extra $30?).
Or does the airline itself FULLY ACCEPT the responsibility of the actions of emergency row pax in an emergency?
As the pax seated in the emergency exit rows are UNLIKELY to receive instructions from the (dead) cockpit crew - and as the aircraft is likely to be:
(i) on fire;
(ii) in a very unusual attitude;
(iii) in a state of unrecognisable condition......
they now become the carrier's DESIGNATED PERSONNEL for that emergency EXIT.
Have they been FULLY briefed?
They are - after all - now FULLY RESPONSIBLE for handling the EMERGENCY EXIT adjacent to where they are seated, according to the blah-blah they were handed at check-in.
IF they open the exit, and it was UNSAFE to have done so, they must now wear the full LEGAL responsibility of their actions.
Will the airline cover these responsibilities (is THAT why VB charge their emergency row occupants the extra $30?).
Or does the airline itself FULLY ACCEPT the responsibility of the actions of emergency row pax in an emergency?