Ex-seat

 This morning, I flew to Tacloban for an official business.

When I was preparing my Travel Authority 2 days ago, I noticed the changes in PAL’s schedules.  I usually take the first flight, which was at 6:00 AM.  The new schedule is 25 minutes earlier (at 5:35 AM).  The last time I traveled to Tacloban was from June 14 to 15, 2007 (please read "Leyte trip" and "Coming home (from Leyte trip)".

I arrived at the NAIA Centennial terminal at 3:30 AM, passed through the VIP gate and proceeded to the business class check-in counter.  I requested the teller for an exit row window seat.  Seat 10F was given to me.  That’s fine.

Exit row seats are the best seats for me, because of the wider leg room.

Passengers seated in the exit row seats have some responsibilities.  A cabin attendant would approach them, remind them that they are seated in the exit row, and request them to read the safety card for exit operations and procedures prior to the departure.

SAFETY CARD FOR EXIT ROW SEATS

IF YOU ARE SEATED IN AN EXIT ROW, YOU ARE REQUIRED BY THE PHILPPINE CIVIL AIR REGULATION TO READ THIS INFORMATION PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:

Please identify yourself to a cabin attendant for a reseating if you:

1. Can not meet the selection criteria listed in the Passenger Information for Exit Row Seats card given upon check-in;
2. Have a non-discernible condition that will prevent you from performing the applicable functions listed on the card;
3. May suffer bodily harm as a result of performing one or more of these functions, or;
4. Do not wish to perform these functions.
5. Are in a condition of responsibility, such as caring for small children, that might prevent you from performing one or more of the applicable functions.

 

Seating in an EXIT ROW seat requires you to assist the Cabin Attendant in case of an emergency.  You must be able to perform the following functions:

1. Locate the emergency exit;
2. Recognize the emergency exit opening mechanism;
3. Comprehend the instructions for operating the emergency exit;
4. Operate the emergency exit;
5. Assess whether opening the emergency exit will increase the hazards to which passengers may be exposed;
6. Follow oral directions and hand signals given by a crew member;
7. Stow or secure the emergency exit doors so that it will not impede use of the exit;
8. Assess the condition of an escape slide, activate the slide, and stabilize the slide after deployment to assist others in getting off the slide;
9. Pass expeditiously through the emergency exit, and
10. Assess, select, and follow a safe path away from the emergency exit.

 

PLEASE IDENTIFY THE EXIT NEAREST YOU.  IN ADDITION, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE PASSENGER SAFETY CARD FOR EXIT OPERATION AND PROCEDURES.  NOTIFY YOUR CABIN ATTENDANT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

• IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND HAND SIGNALS OF THE CABIN ATTENDANT
• IF A CABIN ATTENDANT IS NOT AVAILABLE, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION ON THIS CARD AND THE PASSENGER SAFETY CARD.
• WHEN YOU HEAR THE COMMAND “EVACUATE AIRCRAFT” BE PREPARED TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXITS.
• BEFORE OPENING ANY EXIT, LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOW TO CHECK IF OUTSIDE CONDITIONS ARE SAFE.  IF THERE IS: FIRE,SMOKE,OR IF EXIT IS JAMMED OR BLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU ARE TO BLOCK EXIT AND DIRECT PASSENGERS TO OTHER USABLE EXITS.

However, despite the reminder, I've been noticing that most exit row passengers just nod to the cabin attendant but don't actually read the safety card.  Maybe, they have already read or memorized them before.  I, myself, hadn't read it too until today that I'm writing about it.

Boarding time.

Then, the plane left on time.