Originally Posted by
voracious violinist
Related question: I don't like having the blind down during a day flight, or at least when there is daylight outside as I tend to occasionally feel rather claustrophobic in that situation. However, I've often had FAs come up to me and say "Please can you put the blind down" - usually because of IFE or that they are dimming lights in cabin etc etc. What's the protocol on this? I choose a window seat specifically so that I can look outside and not feel "cooped up" and I find it much more reassuring. What do people think?
I agree! I am a bit claustrophobic, and when the plane banks I need to be able to get my bearings by fixing on something through the window or I get a pretty unhealthy case of room spins. Even at night I will look out and focus on lights, ice floes, or what have you. Plus, the view is breathtaking and what makes flying fun for me.
During a VS flight overnight flight last year, a member of cabin crew insisted I put my window shade down. I was seated near the window with two empty seats beside me. I tried to explain to the CC why I needed to keep the shade open but got told off. The CC actually reached across me to close the shade. After a few minutes I lifted it about 2 inches so I could peer out just a little to get my bearings, and the CC came back and slammed it down. The second we hit first light, perhaps 3 hours prior to landing, he woke the passengers and told them to raise their shutters, again reaching across them if they didn't cooperate. I never understood the point, and I hope BA never adopts a similar policy.