Admittedly Rotund Writer Ired for being removed from Exit row due to seatbelt extension.

A writer who is based out of Detroit was denied access to being able to sit in a favored spot by him, the exit row, due to the size of his girth, and the fact that he was using a lapbelt/seatbelt extension device. 

 He wrote an article about his experience, which you can read about. But, kind reader, you can read my take on it right here. 

People who sit on the exit row are to be able bodied passengers. (ABP) Able bodied means that you are able to assist opening the exit door, and, further assist flight crew in the event of an emergency. An excellent article about ABP can be found here, and you really should look at the article, it is a good read. 

Flying millions of miles does not entitle you to sit on the emergency row. Although the emergency row seats do offer more leg room, it is for a very somber reason. In the event that the plane makes an unscheduled landing (crashes) those wide spaces are to facilitate getting as many people out of the plane as quickly as possible. 

ABPs may also be asked to help out. Hold the slide, help with the life rafts, and many more things. There are so many reasons that ABPs are a valuable tool that cabin and cockpit crew are trained on how to determine who becomes ABPs. 

The writer of the story that I am referring to says that the flight attendants "goose stepped" back to him after a conference in the front. I don't care if they cha-cha-ed, Samba-ed, goosestepped or simply walked back. If you are not seen as a safe person to place in a position that could be very important, then, for the safety of the crew, other passengers, and yourself, you should not be seated in the exit row. The exit row is an evacuation row, not a seat due you because of privilege.  

In a world where more people are large than ever before, comforts for them is something that I have written about on this very blog. I appreciate the sensitivities of the larger person, but not at the cost of my own safety. Complying with the directives of the flight and cabin crew is a Federal law. The fact that no other flight attendants have asked this gentleman to move from the exit row is not something I can speak on. The fact that he was asked to do so in order to place an ABP there is something I applaud.