Boeing 737 series 700 and 800 emergency exit rows.
 

My understanding is that overwing seats are regarded as exit rows, and thus have the usual restrictions on who occupies which seats - able-bodied persons, no babies, no children under 15 years of age.
Are these the only exit rows on the 700 and 800 series aircraft?

The exit rows are clearly marked and your restrictions are correct.

I was being type specific wrt to the Boeing 737 700 and 800.

Are any other rows. besides the overwing ones considered as exit rows on those types?

You will probably find the aisle seats up the front i.e. closest to the front main doors are regarded as exit seats for the purposes you mention.

Don't know about the NGs but on the 300's I’ve dealt with, there are 10 over wing exit seats (the row of 4 in line with the doors and the row of 6 behind them). The placement of exit seats may not be immediately apparent just by looking at the doors so I wouldn't say they are 'clearly marked' (of course the exits themselves are).

As Cloud Clutter has mentioned on some aircraft the front row may also be classified as an emergency exit row - it depends on the configuration of the aircraft.

On Qantas aircraft there is a bulkhead between the forward doors and the first row of seats and thus the front row is not classified as an emergency exit row.

On almost all Virgin Blue aircraft is there no bulkhead between the forward left door (L1) and the first row of seats (1ABC) and thus these are classified as an emergency exit row. Accordingly the same restrictions would apply to these seats as for the overwing emergency exit rows.

Sorry if this is rather anal, but aren't the overwing exit restrictions specific to those seats due to the fact that the FA's won't be the first to access the exit? I would've thought that, say, row 1 on a DJ 737 would not be as "restrictive" as the overwing exits due to a FA being present (assumedly) at any event. As I often sit in the overwing exit, due my height, I'm only ever asked if I'm willing and able to assist the crew by operating the door over the wing. Would a PAX in row 1 be asked the same question?

Now, I do recall that on the 747's the exit rows, regardless of location, held similar restrictions, ie kids, disabilities etc but that's more to stop the exit being blocked I imagine, not because they "expect" you to operate the door (although, you'd have a hard time stopping people in certain circumstances!)

For the record, I saw an ad for the 737-900 and there's 2 overwing exits & an additional small door aft of the wing & forward of the rear door!:ok:

Buster, you wrote:

I am unsure about QANTAS, but when sitting in 1A on a DJ flight, yes you are indeed asked that question.

I am also one that manages to be allocated the exit rows, occassionally we ask for them, more often than not they look at my husbands' ASIC which is produced as ID, and we are given the exit row, quick-smart. :)

Cheers Pseudonymn, that clears that up for DJ then. So, do you have a card or are you briefed on how to operate the door?

Buster, there is a small side pocket on the wall/fuse just infront of 1A for the inflight magazines and safety cards.

"You MAY be asked to ASSIST, in the unlikely event of an emergency".

That doesn't necessarily entail having to :-
(i) Check the door is in the "armed" mode, prior to opening it;
(ii) Actually opening the door (sounds easy, doesn't it? It's actually an annual recurrent check requirement of F/A's, to demonstrate they CAN in fact do it;
(iii) Deploying the slide manually, in case it fails to drop (good luck with that one!!);
(iv) Blocking the exit and redirecting pax to the nearest usable exit;
(v) Launching the slide raft, in the case of a ditching;
(vi) Ensuring evacuating pax inflate their life jackets after exiting;
(vii) Checking that pax are NOT wearing - high heels ;) carrying sharp objects, carrying excessive hand carry, attempting to disembark incorrectly;
(viii) Ensure the pax disembark expeditiously...................
...does it???????????

"You MAY be asked to ASSIST, in the unlikely event of an emergency"....and held legally responsible afterwards, because you agreed???

Buster Hyman

When I have flow DJ and sat in an Exit row they have given an individual briefing on the door operation, as well as having the card there.

:ok:

Ahh, in fairness then, I suppose when asked by the crew, I've always indicated that I'm familiar with the procedure for the overwing exit.

Scrambler Was that for an overwing exit or row 1? I'm curious to know what you get told in row 1 as it's a vastly different exit.:ok:

Agreed Buster - the likelihood of the main entry door (L1) being used in a ground evacuation is much higher than an overwing exit.
Out of interest, scrambler, how comprehensive was the briefing?
Did it include showing you how to open the door?
Or was it simply a case of something like, "You stand here and help the pax out."?

HI'er are you asking or telling?

It was on an overwing exit,
the Briefing was, here is the briefing card, there is the exit and some veryh basic opeinging instructions. Was also asked a second time if I was ok with sitting in an exit row.

Well, in any event, I've still got that "Follow me when I'm screaming" t-shirt in my carry on!:ok:

I work as a Customer Service Agent for Air NZ and always evaluate and ask questions when putting people into exit rows.

I even evaluate their use of the english language so that they can understand what is expected of them.

I remember one elderly couple who were most indignant when I refused to put them into an exit row. They were somewhat frail.

flygirlnz

I was taught about the 'newer' generation of overwing exits at uni. I understand the the 739's and maybe 76's carries them, they retract/extend out and above the exit "hole". The older style, that I'm used to seeing on DJ/QF flights are 'plug type'.

Former you pull the red stick, then get out. The later, pull the red stick, pull a bit of window out, peg it out the side of the plane and then get out.

Anyway, I have flown emergency exits with both 73' carriers, and the briefings varied every single time. Normally your asked if you are willing to assist. Sometimes told where the exit is. Once told where the handle was (red stick). Being a plug type, never told what to do with said plug.

Now it's looking really good!
Yes!
No?

How do airlines brief the pax in the emergency rows, apart from telling them "You MIGHT be asked to assist.......in the unlikely event of a blah blah".

If it REALLY is so important to have specific people assigned to emergency row exits, then the Civil Aviation authority needs to predicate some specific pre-flight briefing of a RESPONSIBLE nature, to the airlines.

Likewise, the airlines need to realise that because BY LAW, they are required to vet who occuppies designated emergency exit rows, that "in the unlkely event of an emergency", those "designated occupants" have been made LEGALLY responsible for the SAFE evacuation of the fare-paying pax.

(I'm available for further consultation via my PPRuNe Pm's)

signature,

The over wing exits on the Virgin 737's and the QF NG's are the "new" type as you put it.

They are hinged at the top and open up.

I have sat in the exit row on QF on many occasions and never been asked if I am willing to assist.

I don't believe that if you sit there that you are legally responsible