I flew MCI-DEN-MCI yesterday, and during the first leg (on Shuttle America E170), the FA's made the announcement about window shades needing to be up for take-off and landing. I haven't heard this in years on United or United Express... Why are they mentioning it now, and why only on Express??

I did hear something about twelve years ago, that if you were hijacked, the snipers would be able to see into the plane... Not sure if that is the truth behind this requirement.