I'm all for it. I don't like being penned in, and so usually choose an aisle seat. If you get a window with an exit row, you can still get by without bugging your seatmate too much.

I used to love exit row seats. But now that the word seems to have gotten out, somebody always seems to beat me to 'em.

I don't like them. They're usually too near the toilets, or that row at the front where they always seat families with babies. I don't need extra leg room, so I usually have a window seat. That often works to my advantage because people travelling together won't want to sit separately, so I tend to get a free seat next to me if the flight isn't full. I usually check the seat plan before flying and swap to a better seat if the one next to me has been taken.

Mr alto is 6'6" and tries to smile nicely at the check-in people in order to be assigned an exit row seat. He would be good at helping the crew in an emergency, I think - he's certainly thought about the matter, I know, as he often flies in those seats. I hope I would be good in an emergency...

Last time we flew (British Airways) the exit row seats were taken, so the check-in woman arranged for us to have two seats of a row of three, and blocked the third one so no-one else could have it, so he could stretch his legs out. The flight wasn't full by any means and it wasn't much effort for them to do it, but it was a really nice gesture, I thought.

I recently heard that JetBlue is now charging $20 extra for that seat.

I hate being hemmed in, too, stewie, and usually request the aisle seat, too. I like being able to get up and pee when I need to, because for some reason I am well hydrated and seem to need it more often. That way I don't have to disturb my seatmate in order to get up. I've had good luck lately at not having a seatmate even so.

I feel like I could help in an emergency. I'm one of the big nerds who reads the safety brochure even though I fly enough to know pretty much what it says. It might be a habit developed from sailing - safety check is repetitive, but when you're freaking out in an emergency, it's that repetition that makes information come back to you easily.

Last flight I took it was bothering me that the little cartoons in the safety brochure were kinda sexist. All the people depicting someone in a helping role were men, with the exception of the woman putting an oxygen mask on a baby. The male figures were helping women down the inflatable slide, helping them out the exit, etc, and the women were depicted being held by the hand or running from the wreck. The women were also all in dresses. I wonder how old those cartoons are.

I often fly with my dog, so I can't sit in the exit row- too much stuff. I actually don't mind having zero leg room since I like to scrunch up in a ball and sleep, so I generally take a window seat in a small row.

I never seem to get the exit row but I do always get an aisle seat. Window seats are wasted on me anyway since the top of the window is below my neck so I can't see out.

On an Air Canada flight in an exit row seat, I was instructed in a drill-sergeant manner that upon hearing the words "EVACUATE EVACUATE EVACUATE", I should open the door. Those were the only instructions.

Got an exit row on Singapore Airlines from LA all the way to Singapore by selecting it on their website after purchasing my seat there. It was awesome.

Last month I flew to Singapore and onto India and back. Exit row all the way. It didn't come up online but I convinced the stewardess to move me. The leg room was great but the seat killed my back. I'm pretty sure I could calmly follow instructions in case of an emergency.

A lot of airlines are starting to charge extra, which I lament.

I like Hank Hill's response: "It would be an honor."

I try to get the seat when checking on online (I'm talking long haul flights. I don't care so much for

I like the bulkhead seat best. Sooooo much legroom!

Yes, I get the exit row whenever I can. When I was flying to Toronto regular, the Air Canada flight was this Airbus with the seat next to the door over the wing missing. So I'd get the seat behind it, and have TONS of legroom, plus no joker in front of me leaning their seat back so I can stare at the top of their head. I always sit by the window too. I hate having to get up to let people pass so they can go to the crapper. I'd go for a bulkhead seat, but I've never been able to get that. And, yes, while it's nice being able to help, I'm also the first one out.

On American Airlines, only gold and platinum customers can reserve the exit row online. Same with the bulkhead. That plus getting to check in in the first/business class line was the only perk I'll miss now that I'm back to commoner status.

Ha! With my heart? Nah, let the able-bodied escape first. I will gladly risk being the last one off.

Nope, I get cold on planes and I like to have other seats near me so there's not as much airflow, plus, I don't need the legroom because I am short.
I do like being near the front of the plane since I am anxious to get off and I get impatient when people take a long time getting their shit together.

I like the exit row seats so that I can actually move my legs during the flight. But I tend to check-in on-line and you can't (as a rule) claim those seats except in person, because they apparently want to make an assessment of whether you seem physically capable of opening the door.

Plus, less chance of getting trampled as you get out first. Fuck the rest of you, I'm outa here!