‘You can actually face criminal charges for this’: Airplane passenger chooses the Exit Row—but she says she won’t help
Choosing your row and seat can be crucial on a flight. Passengers usually focus on spots to prevent motion sickness, areas where they can quickly exit, or on avoiding the middle seat sandwiched between two strangers.
However, there is a spot where anyone who sits there bears the weight of the plane: the exit row. Flight attendants brief those who choose to sit here and must verbally agree to assist passengers in an emergency before the aircraft departs. Since this aisle comes with great responsibility, this woman jokes she’d ditch everyone else to save herself.
Paris Claypool (@parisclaypool5) reveals herself alone, lounging in the large, spacious row. But there’s a catch.
“I’m the type to sit in the exit row and not help if [expletive] goes down,” she writes. “You gotta CATCH ME.” Before wrapping it up, she proves she’s in that spot by unveiling the giant red ‘exit’ across the walls and the arrow below.
The content creator never names the airline she flew.
However, Claypool tries to clarify the quip in the caption, “I like the extra space but I gotta put me first. JUST A JOKE!!”
Why did this anger viewers?
Claypool’s video drew in over 263,000 views. Despite her attempt to pass this off as a joke, many weren’t laughing. Instead, they took it at face value, evoking the ire of many and raising the possible ramifications.
“Flight attendant here. You can actually face criminal charges for this and/or end up on the no fly list,” one viewer remarked.
“You could be held legally and financially responsible for not helping. For damages, injuries…the passengers could also personally sue you. Like if you don’t want to just don’t sit there. Most of those seats don’t even recline,” a second stated.
“Yeah you can get sued for this,” a third echoed.
Meanwhile, a few sided with the content creator by defending her joke.
“’Cause what they gonna do, slap me on the wrist in the middle of the ocean,” one commenter said.
“I’m confused though because if there is emergency? What are y’all gonna do? Scold me and we’re all finna die?” another concurred.
What are the responsibilities of sitting in the exit row?
Most airlines have their own obligations for those designated to the emergency aisle. However, there are basic requirements per Cornell Law:
- Locate the emergency exit
- Comprehending, operating, and assessing the emergency exit
- Following verbal and hand signals given by the flight crew member
- Opening and securing the emergency door
- Assess, activate, and stabilize the escape slide
- Assisting passengers in getting off the slide
Are there consequences for not helping others?
To remain in this seat, the passenger must accept these responsibilities. And it must be verbal. The Mary Sue covered a story about a flight attendant recalling an instance in which a passenger refused to give verbal consent and was escorted off the plane. Failure to carry out the duties after accepting? It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen from both the victims and the airline, according to Aviation Disaster Law. Anyone who doesn’t follow through can face lawsuits for damage and injury.
@parisclaypool5 I like the extra space but I gotta put me first ? JUST A JOKE !! #fyp #airplane #yougottacatchme ♬ original sound – traploresmith
The Mary Sue reached out to Claypool via TikTok comment and direct message.
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