Date: 201411
Aircraft: B757-200
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Other / Unknown; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Assigned exit row verification; which was initially completed prior to door closure and info relayed to purser.  After door closure I walked from door 2 towards rear of aircraft. Noticed an older woman; who I believed had boarded early for extra assistance time; ambling up the aisle and taking a seat in exit row. Since I had not previously verified her; I questioned her presence. Her daughter in the same row kept interjecting answers for the elderly woman. Daughter explained a woman originally sitting there had switched with her mother. Concerned with her mobility (limping up aisle; seat backs for support; need to board early for assistance) I asked if she was willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency. Her daughter answered for her; and I clarified that the answer needed to come from the elderly lady. The mother [seater next to her] answered 'Yes. Just don't ask me to run.'  I informed her that in that case; she would have to move seats. (I believed that with what I had visually assessed; and the verbal answer given; indicated she was not capable.) Her daughter became visibly agitated and started stating; 'yes she can. Yes she can. She can do it. Don't listen to her.' The mother then told me I had no sense of humor. I responded I did; but not when it comes to my exit rows. I then proceeded to the front to speak with the purser and look at the manifest.  The pax originally seated in [a non exit row seat]; who had indeed moved to exit row and was the woman I questioned; was listed on the manifest as needing a wheelchair; and confirmed that she had boarded early because she needed assistance. I asked the purser to please go speak with the lady.  The purser eventually did and said that 'the lady said she was capable so I can't move her. She doesn't need to run; and there are 5 other people in the exit row to help her out.' Still uncomfortable; I felt I had done all I was capable of; proceeded up the chain of command and let the situation continue as it was with the lady remaining in the exit row.  I feel I violated an FAR; because I visually assessed that the elderly lady sitting in [exit row] had mobility issues and would not only be UNABLE to effectively assist in an emergency; but she would have required other exit row people to assist her in exiting. Regardless of her answer to that question.  I let my superiors tell me their hands were tied and if 'she answered that she was willing and able we are not to move them.' Upon arriving; I phoned my base and asked for a supervisor to help me clear this up.  I was told I did what I was supposed to; and should I have tried to advocate my situation I would be told to 'avoid making the situation uncomfortable for the pax and assign two ABAs to the person SITTING IN THE EXIT ROW to assist her in the case of an emergency.' I am confused. I am being told to be a safety professional; but worry most about offending someone.  So by allowing this passenger to sit in the exit row; I violated an FAR 121.585; even though I went through all of the proper steps.




Synopsis: Flight Attendant finds an elderly woman seated in the exit row; who boarded early and used a wheelchair. When queried as to her ability to assist in an emergency she responds in the affirmative and is allowed to stay in her seat. A Supervisor contacted after the flight indicates that if exit row passengers are queried and respond in the affirmative that is all that is required by the FAR.