Southwest - preboard and exit row questions

[nkereina]

1. According to Seat Guru, our Southwest plane tomorrow should have a row 11 exit row that has two seats and lacks a window seat. This means the row 12 window seat has ample leg room due to no seat in front of it. Does anyone know if row 12 is also considered an exit row? Would a pre-board person be precluded from sitting in that seat? I know pre-boarders are not permitted to sit in exit rows.

2. DH will be wearing a knee brace due to a torn ACL, and may want to preboard to ensure he can either sit in bulkhead or possibly in the row 12 window seat I mentioned above (if allowable), so he can keep his leg outstretched during the flight. Is this something he would be allowed a pre-board card for? Does anyone know if they will need a doctor's note or should we have one just in case?

3. Will I be permitted to board with DH if he does pre-board?

Thanks all!

 

[Psychodisney]

It is definitely an exit row seat. It seems to me, if you need extra time to preboard, you would not physically be able to help in case of emergency.
I would suggest an aisle seat or the bulk head seat. Make sure he puts his carry on in the overhead.
Good luck with the knee! Safe travels.

 

[kristenrice]

Someone who would need to pre-board due to medical reasons would not be allowed to sit in an exit-row seat. If they require special accommodation to board the plane, then it is assumed that they would not be able to assist in the event of an emergency, which is required if you sit in an exit row. With a knee brace, your best option will be an aisle seat.

I don't know how long your flight is, but make sure that DH moves around (stands) and stretches at least once....blood clots are nothing to mess around with and a leg in a brace is an invitation for one to develop.

 

[bumbershoot]

Does anyone know if row 12 is also considered an exit row? Would a pre-board person be precluded from sitting in that seat? I know pre-boarders are not permitted to sit in exit rows.

It is definitely an exit row seat.

If row 11 is the exit row, how is row 12 the exit row, too?

 

[Psychodisney]

There are 2 rows considered exit rows. The only seats with extra leg room are the one seat you described and the 3 seats on the other side of the plane in row 11. It's considered a federal law to sit there if you are under 15 yo or cannot perform the duties.

 

[SirDuff]

If row 11 is the exit row, how is row 12 the exit row, too?

I've been on numerous planes with two rows (one in front of the other) considered exit rows. In this case, given the lack of window seat in row 11, people could access the emergency door by going through both rows 11 and 12. Hence, both are considered exit rows (someone with mobility issues sitting in row 12 could hamper others from exiting the plane)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The FAs on SW stand in the Exit Row section and will not allow pre-boarders to sit in a seat they consider key to the exit row operation which would include this row 12 seat.

Sorry!

 

[nkereina]

Thanks all. I know he's not permitted to sit in an exit row as a preboard, but wasn't sure if row 12 is actually considered an exit row. They only marked row 11 as an exit row on Seat Guru. Appreciate the responses!

 

[DebbieB]

It depends on the model of the plane but some have 2 window exits on both sides. Or if there is only one, the reason the one row does not have a window seat is so that people can use the exit from either row.

 

[bumbershoot]

That's one confusing image!

They already have the two exit rows. So it's irritating that 12f is somehow in both rows at once.

 

[goofy4tink]

One of my favorite seats on SW planes!!! Especially when flying with my 6'4'' dh!!! The only problem is if you have a carry on bag with anything you'll need in it. It's tough to get to since it's basically in row 11!
But yes, row 12 seats are exit row seats. No preboards allowed in them.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

No one in a knee brace is eligible to sit in an exit row, preboard or not.

 

[PSULion]

I was in the equivalent of 12D in that picture, and they definitely asked me if I was capable of performing exit row duties.

 

[maxiesmom]

I was in the equivalent of 12D in that picture, and they definitely asked me if I was capable of performing exit row duties.

My last time flying on Southwest my nephew and I were in row 11--the 2 seat side. And they asked us and the row behind us if we could handle the duties.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes row 12 is an exit row as well. Pre Boarders are not permitted to sit in that row. Yes you can preboard with him

 

[NotUrsula]

Addressing your other questions: Yes, he will be allowed to preboard if you ask for a disability preboard at the gate, no proof is required. The exit seats are out, but the bulkheads are an option. You will probably be allowed to board with him, but out of courtesy, I'd seat myself in the row behind, as there are almost always wheelchair passengers who also need those bulkhead seats.

 

[nkereina]

No one in a knee brace is eligible to sit in an exit row, preboard or not.

Just returned and wanted to report that this doesn't seem to be true. We got early A boarding positions so opted not to pre-board. We got lucky both going and coming home and DH was able to get the "special" seat in row 12. Row 12 is indeed marked an exit row, and neither time was he given a hassle about his knee brace. Never even questioned about it. It's a large knee brace too from his physical therapist, the kind that they have to adjust for range of motion. So maybe it's just up to the flight attendant discretion, but it was fine both ways. Only thing we were told was that no pre-boards or children under age 15 were permitted to sit there.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Your FA was clueless. No one in a knee brace should be sitting in an exit row. You should know better as well.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Sad someone knowingly jeopardized all the passengers on the plane comes to report about it!

This is like those who take advantage of DAS, etc

 

[maxiesmom]

Just returned and wanted to report that this doesn't seem to be true. We got early A boarding positions so opted not to pre-board. We got lucky both going and coming home and DH was able to get the "special" seat in row 12. Row 12 is indeed marked an exit row, and neither time was he given a hassle about his knee brace. Never even questioned about it. It's a large knee brace too from his physical therapist, the kind that they have to adjust for range of motion. So maybe it's just up to the flight attendant discretion, but it was fine both ways. Only thing we were told was that no pre-boards or children under age 15 were permitted to sit there.

My question is, could he have handled his responsibilities if everything wasn't fine? If not, he had no business being in the exit row, and shame on both of you for sitting in one.