A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 135
Distraction; Troubleshooting
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure
This happened a few weeks ago and has been bothering me ever since. Just prior to push my lead Flight Attendant came up and said she was uncomfortable with a very large passenger seated in the exit row. He said he was 'willing and able' to assist in an EVAC. However in the FA'S professional opinion this person was so large she questioned whether he was really 'able' to assist and asked if he could be moved. I contacted OPS and a CS Supervisor came down and said we cannot move passenger if they say 'willing and able.' I next contacted the [Chief Pilot]; he said he had not had this before and put me on hold to get the company opinion. After a bit he came back and said we could not move this person just for being large. We departed. On arrival I saw this passenger deplaning; in my estimation he was between 500-600 lbs. He had to come down the aisle sideways to fit between the seats; stopping to catch his breath every few seats. In my professional opinion there was no way he should have been given an exit row seat. There is legal and then there is common sense safety. For future reference where do we draw the line on someone so large it may cause issues were there to be an evacuation. This evaluation of 'able' to assist should be addressed at the gate prior to boarding the aircraft.
A320 Captain reported concern about a passenger of size sitting in the emergency exit row who had accepted being willing and able to assist in an emergency.