A321 briefing
 

On a recent flight I was in row 4. I always pay particular attention to the emergency briefings. The steward told the front row pax that there are two exit doors and they are to help under his direction to assist opening them. Then he said words to the effect, "If I am disabled you are to open them."
A startling but necessary admission in my opinion.

Some carriers avoid that kind of language, particularly on a pre departure briefing. Even in an emergency landing briefing some airlines train crew to just explain to passenger what they (the crew) will be doing.

That said, I don't see anything wrong with the term used on your flight. It demonstrates clearly the responsibility placed upon those sat in the exit rows.

I'd like to see videos at the departure gate showing realistic depictions of in flight emergencies. For example putting on flotation device in your seat in a crowded aircraft with every one else doing it at the same time, or deploying O2 while aircraft descends rapidly and bounces about. Evacuation process, with dos and don'ts - demonstrating the problems of opening bins and taking carry on with you.

I think the statement by the cabin crew is exemplary. Well done to him and may others follow.

Sitting in an E/E row on an A320 recently, the verbal briefing given was to confirm that we were happy to be seated in that row and if we needed to know how to open the exit, read the safety card! Got the impression the crewmember was either very new or not very familiar with the brief. Chap next to me didn't bother looking away from his paper and c/c did nothing to challenge him for not paying attention...but we made it, right?

Few weeks earlier, same operator, crew took positions for safety brief, showed nearest exits etc. in accordance with recorded briefing, however none of the screens had deployed (I was sitting in the penultimate row to the rear of the aircraft with an uninterrupted view of the cabin). No one noticed. I've seen screens down but no video a number of times, and the crew do a good job (in less time) of delivering a manual brief, but this was a new one on me.

Firstly, to placate awkward Pax, there is too much 'the customer is always right' and the exit row has been commercialised - so safety has gone (forgive me) out the window...

Back in the 90s when I was both BA and sq "gold" and travelled a lot, both short and long haul, a BMI cc lady told me (in 1C) in no uncertain terms to put my paper down and listen to the briefing.
On reflection, she was quite right and I have been very good at watching and listening to safety briefings ever since. I am tempted to nag others, but I guess life is too short.

In fact, some weeks ago with BA Cityflyer FRA/LCY, the young lady doing the actions instructed the purser to interrupt the audio during the brief so that she could speak (quite firmly) to a couple of German women who were nattering loudly down the aisle a couple of rows apart. Everyone paid quite a lot of attention after that I can tell you. Impressive and good to see for a change.

I do my best to make sure that, where ever I am sitting, the CC can see that I am watching and listening. Whilst I have counted rows fore/aft for many years, the problem now is that - I can no longer remember how many rows .... I just have to remember whether to for or aft. :uhoh:

Always listen and look up at mention of Oxygen mask deployment and do a touch drill on positon of the life jacket, and show disapproval of those wo do not pay attention.

I was on Korean Air, in an exit row - the cabin crew (a beautiful lass it has to be said) explained in the event of an emergency I may have to help her with the door - but not to worry '...it means you get out first.'

which I appreciated.

On a certain Airline a young lady came & sat next to me,
but I did know her. She asked did I do the landing briefing ?
I had to say, I think so ???

Early noughties, LIAT, clapped out Dash 8 with barely functioning air conditioning.... island hopping, Trinidad to Barbados via Tobago and Grenada... 30 minute flights, with 20 mins on the ground in sweltering heat and humidity... short flights but just long enough to get a coupla beers in on each leg to stave off the fierce dehydration.... gotta be done - safety issue...

Now LIAT den only employ de FINEST lookin' Cribean ladies... By the time the girls had done the life jacket demo for the 3rd time in 2 hours between humping cases of Carib up and down the aisle... well, let's just say wet tee shirt competitions had nothing on this... Dey garra BIG round uv applause frim ah'll de guys... yannastan' wham sayin' maan?