Why do most international airlines turn the seatbelt sign off after reaching 10,000ft and then use it much more sparingly during flight? The US airlines don't turn it off until they reach cruising altitude which sometimes takes 30-40 minutes and then turn it on again when there is the slightest bump. Flying on US airlines is really a bladded buster for me! I'd have to think this has something to do with the prevalance of lawsuits in the US?