[gumby]

Interesting; this was the position they had us all adopt.

They also moved the "old"* people in the exit rows and asked a couple of us young men to take their places. Back then there was no pre-questioning to see if you're willing and able to open the exit windows. Interestingly, they gave us special instruction which was: "Don't open the window unless I [flight attendant] am disabled. I might not be opening it for a reason."

* probably around the age I am now, or younger, and I don't feel old. But I am a lot fitter today than people my age tended to be 30 years ago.

[t0mas88]

That instruction is standard procedure. Same for the cabin crew, they're instructed not to evacuate unless told to by the cockpit crew or unable to communicate with the cockpit after an incident.

The main reason is knowing which engine is on fire vs shutdown. So in almost all cases you want to captain to decide the moment of evacuation, not the cabin crew and certainly not a passenger.