sky high states: Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasnt the exit row made WIDER after the USAir LAX crash, where people died in the aisle "waiting" to evacuate from the overwing exits.
only stating opinions
The 320 exits ARE wide enough as are the 319, which took out the windows seats at row 9 for that pupose. Believe me, the FAA is on every move this industry makes.
As far a the LAX crash? This was a 737-300 on arrival from DAY. The LAX ATC cleared USAir to clear for landed and cleared a Delta commuter to take off. The 737 landed on the commuter plane and the 737 eventually slammed into an unused building. There ended up being 2 clear exits available to use...2R and the right overwing exit, 1R finally was opened with few escapes.
At the time, the F/A's had secondary exit responsibilities. Because 1L was blocked, the A f/a went to the secondary exits, which were the window exits. What was emcountered was arguing on HOW to open the window. Because of the crowd at the window, and many not realizing they could use the door in the back, time became important and most died from smoke inhalation, including the A f/a, Dea Bethea. IF there was any waiting, it was because the chaos prevented any proper communication. Also, it was difficult to shout commands as the smoke was so intense that just breathing was difficult.
One of the conclusions to the crash was that many at the window exits did NOT know or take TIME to review how to operated the window exits. Because of that, pictures were put up at the window exits explaining the operation, the F/A's were required to brief the exit rows, and yess, the row in front suffered to give more room.
In the future, US Airways stopped the secondary exit approached and expressed to the f/as not to endanger their lives.
The entire accident was so unfortunate and it is a miracle anyone survived considering the intene fire from the burning a/c below.
Over time, the window exits became favorites to the more knowledgeable ff and US eventually stopped the briefing...BUT it will come back on one certificate as the new AWA...I mean US Airways thinks it should be done and hell...we've pissed the ff off enough so far. Why not just keep on keeping on . <_<