They are very firm altitudes - stated in NATOPS (our Bible), but not to say that they haven't be broken. I personally know two people who were still departed below the min alt back when it was 10,000' and ended up recovering the jet. USNTPS still came back and said that there was no evidence that they had to change the procedures at the time, but it was industry knowledge that there was something that MIGHT work for you if nothing else did to recover. In both instances - ejection would have mostly likely been been fatal under the circumstances and it was a conscience decision to stay with the aircraft.

As for the video example above - don't get confused with what a minimum altitude - based on the ejection seat capability is - and minimum altitudes are based on survivability and good decision making.
I believe ALL modern jet fighters have 0/0 ejection seats right now. The one that I'm flying now has a 0' alt/105 kts minimum ejection criteria.
The altitudes stated earlier are for OCF (out-of-controlled flight) criteria where you might be falling at more than 20,000-25,000' fpm and have forces against your body restircting your movements.

Some other reasons for low altitude ejection?
Just about any reason you can think of - but some that come right to mind include mid-air, catastrophic failure of airframe, systems, or engine, departure at low altitude (like pulling off target that I mentioned earlier. I use that one since it nearly happened to me recently with a slat departure on an A-4 off target at less than 1,000), etc....

It is very nice having that final escape method available to you no doubt, but I'm pretty sure that most would do everything they could to save the jet prior to pulling the handle. I'll use an old XO as an example. He was bringing back a Hornet with a confirmed fire light, when at about 1-2 miles on final the other fire light illuminated. Since it was at MCAS Beaufort, SC - visions of 'The Great Santini' ought to filling your head right now :)
Lone story short - he kept it coming and ended up landing with the fire having burned through back in the engine compartments. Gusty no doubt - and no one would have faulted him for ejecting with two fire lights blazing. We are trained to handle the emergencies to the best of our ability and if in the end the airplane is getting the best of us then we leave it behind. There are MANY decision factors that go into an ejection scenario. Some you don't even want to think about - but you do. :(

USMCFLYR

Great post!:D

Although given a callsign by a real fighter pilot, I am regretfully not one myself, so I cannot answer the question as if it was referring to an airplane. I am, however, someone possessed of estrogen and my answer is to try to recover. There are many things and people out there worth that effort. Of course, I'm not saying that you keep trying to recover after you have tried to recover and discovered that your attempts at recovery just is not going to work.

STAPLE

Vagabond,

Haha! You should have signed your post "STAPLE" as callsign ettiquite(sp?) requires.

CaptCarl,

If this is a metaphor for a situation you are in I think you've already answered your question.

You think you are in a flat spin. That is not a good place to be. Assess the situation. Attempt a recovery. If unable to recover-- eject.

Live to see another day and go find a sleeker, smarter, nicer plane to fly in the future. :D

Cheers,
ImTumbleweed
"Afterburner is a great substitute for poor headwork"

If I am PIC on an aircraft that allows for ejection, my thoughts would be....

If the aircraft is still in a position to recover, do so (save the taxpayers or company money)

If the aircraft is NOT in a position to recover, get out (save my a$$ and the cost of my training)

If the aircraft does NOT have ejection capabilities OR I have people in the back....

Attempt know recovery techniques. If they don't work, keep fighting until I hit the ground.

If there is anyone on board who can be saved, the Captain MUST be the last one out. I am old school, if all souls cannot be saved, the Captain goes down with the ship.

a Navy fighter pilot friend had a funny twisted saying on his view of punching out....'give it back to the tax payers.'

Time will tell if my attempts to recover are successful.

Starting to get some response from the aircraft. We'll see if she flies again.

Hmm... The aircraft just made a funny noise. Sounds like there is more wrong than I initially thought. I'm getting an itchy ejection-handle hand...

Was the airframe "moaning" from stress, or was it about to break-up in flight?

Eject, eject, eject!!!

Warning waiting any longer might cause severe injury get out while you still can!

Even if you are able to make a last minute low altitude recovery the damage is already done and will you ever really be able to trust her in the future? You'll always have that little voice in the back of your head reminding you just how unreliable and dangerous this particular airframe can be.