Air couple in air rage

[dennisb66]

A couple who paid extra for emergency exit seats on a Thomson flight were told at check in that they were too OLD to sit there,they were 77and 79 years of age.Reason given that they would not be able to open the emergency doors. I reckon that most of the passengers couldn't open the doors before being shown how.

[mikey0118]

On a flight with American Airlines from Orlando to Dallas in July, the crew came around and asked those passengers in the exit row if they would be willing to assist in the event of an emergency. They said that they wouldn't be willing and they were moved to different seats. A non-English speaking man then moved across to the now-vacant seats. He too was asked the same question, but he couldn't answer, so he too was moved!

Whilst this couple have been treated badly from a customer service point of view, I am sure that even they can understand that safety is a priority. In the event of an emergency, these pensioners would be relied upon to open doors and evacuate quickly, clearing the way for other passengers. I don't dispute that there are some very fit, healthy and active old people out there, but the majority are not what they once were. They might struggle with heavy doors and their inability to move quickly could delay the evacuation. In an emergency - a fire for example - the extra time could have catastrophic consequences for those stuck inside.

I do not fly with airlines that impose charges for silly things i.e. an 'extra legroom seat', which is actually an emergency exit row, but I am certain that, at the time of booking, a date of birth or an age would have been collected, whether by the airline or a travel agent. Knowing this, the airline should have contacted the passengers before they reached the check-in desk. They will certainly get their money back and I think they deserve some compensation, too.

[B00]

Why do they deserve cmpensation?

For what exactly? They should get their money back, an apology, and that should be it. We've gone compensation crazy lately and it's not a nice trait we have.They didn't lose out on anything other than a few inches and a bit of embarrassment- hardly life threatening and certainly shouldn't impact of the reason why they were taking a plane in the first place.

[ABerrant]

This is a safety issue and the "I paid for the seat" argument has no bearing on the outcome since CAA guidelines on safety procedures are that an assessment is made of all persons seated in positions of direct access to emergency exits. This assessment can only really be done in person, regardless of any previously collected data, and if persons are deemed less capable than reasonably expected they will not be allowed to occupy such seating. This is as applicable to accompanied children as it is to frail and infirm adults.

http://www.caa.co.uk/...getype=90&pageid=9855

Airlines offer no guarantee for pre-booked seating especially if it raises a safety concern.

[Mr Veritas]

Thus speaks the word of a jobsworth! LOL

[Barmaid]

Ok so if my grandad were flying, he'd be the one organising the evacuation, carrying people from the plane and ensuring women and children went first. He's just re-roofed part of his house, he goes for a 5 mile run at 5.30 every morning (idiot) and when my grannie had a heart attack he insisted on taking the stairs every time to the cardiac unit (6 flights - mum and I were nearly having coronaries). He is fit as a fiddle and makes me blush. Ok, so he is 85, but I'd rather he sat in an emergency exit than a 45 year old fattie who couldn't shift the doors if they tried.

The point I am making is that not all 79 year olds are unfit and unwilling to help. At what age DO we become inelligible to sit in such seats? Personally, I am not sure I could do that now and I am 39!

[askyourgran]

I agree barmaid, some old people are fitter than others, what about a younger disabled person who booked seat for extra leg room, they may be unable to move quick enough or indeed strong enough to open the door.