Hi there,
I have an exception to the rule...
On several flights into various countries where the political situation isn't too stable (!), friends of mine have been asked to keep the windows shades shut on takeoff at night.

Why? Apparently due to the local sniper activity, they don't use any lights at all on takeoff and window lights could draw sniper fire.

Don't laugh, this is true! There was an indcident like this about 5 weeks ago with a Sabena airbus into Kinshasa(I think). The snipers managed to get the plane but fortunatley didn't down it or kill any passengers.

Jason