Originally Posted by
sdm1130
Aren't you talking about the lights on the ceiling by the doors rather than the lights on the side of each row of seats?
Nope. Blue lights on the seats power on to the outlets and Red lights power off to the outlets are hot wired to the sterile cockpit switch on at least all B757's and B767's at Continental if not the whole fleet. They also turn on the blue light outside the cockpit door (primary reason for switch) to indicate to the F/A's the cockpit is honoring sterile cockpit rules per FAR's and company policy.
I guess the company felt this is a good way to make sure the outlets are turned off during take off and landing since marrying it to the sterile cockpit light switch which will also be turned on and off during the exact same time periods.