Here's a new one (for me.) Recent flight on a 757 UA LAX-IAD I sat next to a man who tried to cajole me into taking his window seat (I had aisle). I politely refused. So whether in retribution or unconsciously ignoring my needs, he shuts both shades (while we were still at the gate at LAX) and had them closed the entire flight, including the bright and sunny portion.

I could have said something to him, but I wonder what you think:

Does the window seat mean you have total control over the shades? Is compromise possible? Will Betty really marry Fred (uh...just kidding)

I have never had a problem with this before. Most pax ask, and I've been politely asked to shut windows due to movies, the sun directly blaring in, etc, and I've generally complied.

What say you? Who controls dem shades?