United Has a New Shade Policy
Taylor Rains January 28, 2020
United Airlines recently announced a few new policy changes coming in February: window shades are required to be open during taxi, takeoff, and landing, and power cords will be allowed to remain plugged in during all phases of flight. Both of these new rules will go into effect on February 1, 2020.
Window Shades Must Remain Open
United’s new policy will require passengers to open their window shades during taxi, takeoff, and landing which is standard on many non-US airlines. However, it does not appear that the rule will be heavily enforced. Flight attendants will announce the request, but not force passengers to comply. From the forums, many FlyerTalkers have confirmed that the policy has already gone into effect, stating the flight attendants made the announcement on recent flights.
Most FlyerTalkers applauded the new policy, but some wondered: “Why now?”
FlyerTalker drewguy explained that “…in the case of an issue during takeoff or landing it’s a lot better for people to be able to see out the window to help assess the situation if an evacuation is needed.”
But some made it clear of their dislike of the shade-up policy.
FlyerTalker ironcow13 wrote: “I must be the only one who hates the shade rule. First, open shades make these planes even hotter than they already are. So many flights now, particularly on 737s, are stuffy and hot, which often causes me mild nausea. This rule will make it worse. Second, there is little more annoying on a flight that getting blasted in the face by the sun because you are just sitting in the wrong spot and the person across the aisle doesn’t close their shade. Almost as bad is when the sun reflects off someone’s ipad or computer screen and into one’s face. Hate the change, and will generally attempt to not comply.”
Electronics Can Remain Plugged In
Airlines typically do not allow charging cables to be plugged in for taxi, takeoff, and landing but it seems that United is no longer worried about that. Going forward, flight attendants will not request passengers to unplug their cell phones, laptops, or other electronics from the charging ports.
What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments!
Stupid rule on sunny, bright days. It has nothing to do with whether or not you''re sitting by a window - sometimes the reflection is just too dang bright if you're in an unlucky seat. Sorry, but between that and the heat - and the issue so EASILY being taken care of by one simple move - it's a stupid policy. There's zero reason for a passenger "needing to assess a safety situation" if the plane is having issues - the pilots won't need their "help".
The potential trip hazzard is more dangerous to your electronic device than it is to the human (trip, flung, drop and crack). FAs can turn off the sockets and announce power will automatically turn on upon reaching cruising altitude.
Sunglasses are handy.
I fly 3 times a month. I have light blue eyes and the bright light is bad for me. My eye doctor says I will get cataracts early if I'm not careful. So, I have the shade up on take off/landing, but other times I close the shade. I don't want to sit there with sun glasses on trying to see my video screen. Air France has had a policy of shades up for take off/landing for all seats. It's a good idea. It should be standard policy for all.
I like the window seat and tend to close the shade because I don't like to get blasted by the light. I am light sensitive and sometime sthe glare can be brutal whether window or isle seat for me. I do enjoy the special scenic views though, mtns, grand canyon, icebergs, some metro areas, etc.....can be neat to see another plane zooming by in the other direction too