Rider on a Flight From Pittsburgh to chicago He faced scrutiny after trying to use advance boarding privileges under questionable circumstances.
According to a post shared on United Airlines Forum RedditThe traveler described seeing a man at the boarding gate claiming that he needed special assistance due to a knee injury. The gate agent let him board early.
However, once on board, the passenger chose a seat in the exit row, which offered more legroom. But the seat selection was violated Federal Aviation Administration (Angolan Armed Forces) Regulations requiring exit row passengers to be physically able and prepared to perform emergency actions. Guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of passengers in the event of an emergency, as individuals in these rows are tasked with assisting in operating exit doors and other important procedures during evacuations.
The FAA explicitly states on its website: “You must be physically able and willing to perform emergency procedures when seated in emergency or exit rows. If not, request another seat.”
According to the post, the flight attendant confronted the passenger about the discrepancy. The man, who initially claimed to have a knee injury, changed his story, insisting he was perfectly capable of sitting in the checkout line. The cabin crew did not budge, enforcing FAA rules and asking the passenger to move. Ultimately, his wife remained in the exit row seat while he was moved to the middle seat at the back of the plane.
The incident received praise from other Reddit users for the crew’s strict adherence to protocol.
“Good in GA [gate agent] “To enforce the rules,” one commenter wrote, while another added: “Looks like the General Assembly gained its wings that day.”
“He got what he deserved!!!” Another post said. One critic added: “It’s so nice to see instant karma!”
Some users shared similar experiences.
“A tall, elderly gentleman and his wife tried to board the plane as disabled, but were seated in the exit row,” one poster recalls. “The General Assembly told them that people with disabilities cannot sit in the exit line. They said, ‘Oh, we will go up with our group.’ No. There is no exit line for them.
Other incidents included passengers refusing to comply with exit row seating regulations, resulting in major disruptions.
In May 2024, a Frontier Airlines flight was delayed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport A woman sitting in the exit line refused to acknowledge her safety responsibilities required for the seat. In viral Tik Tok Posted in May, travel blogger Tia (@Travelwithtia23) shared with viewers how an unidentified woman wearing glasses got into an argument with airline employees. Meanwhile, her fellow passengers were begging her to get off the plane for all of them.
When asked if she would help in an emergency, she replied: “Oh, I won’t save anyone. If something happens, I’ll save myself.”
Her refusal to comply with the crew’s instructions resulted in all passengers getting off the plane, and she was eventually escorted off the plane by police.
