Open window shade vs. Closed window shade
Feb 4, 03, 7:24 am
#1
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Posts: n/a
Open window shade vs. Closed window shade
Flying from JFK to NRT, AA# 167 departs around 11:30 a.m. For the first time that I can recall, one passenger in Business Class Seat 10A refused to close his window shade for the entire flight, causing a blinding glare throughout most of the cabin.
Once the inflight entertainment started, he was asked by one of the flight attendants to close his window shade. He said that it was the middle of the day and he wasn't sleepy. Moreover, he didn't want to watch any stupid movies, but preferred to look out of the window. That said, no one was really certain what to do.
Rights of one vs. rights of many?
Any thoughts?
Once the inflight entertainment started, he was asked by one of the flight attendants to close his window shade. He said that it was the middle of the day and he wasn't sleepy. Moreover, he didn't want to watch any stupid movies, but preferred to look out of the window. That said, no one was really certain what to do.
Rights of one vs. rights of many?
Any thoughts?
Feb 4, 03, 8:15 am
#2
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I've seen this happen. Often a diplomatic FA can negotiate to some success. There really isn't much that can be done. I had a decent night's sleep ruined by a seat mate who insisted on opening his window shade as the sun came up over the Atlantic. That taught me the value of eyeshades.
Feb 4, 03, 8:19 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2002
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On my recent US CDG-PHL, flight, I was blinded by the light from 1A (the only one who refused to close theirs). I asked the FA nicely, and he did a wonderful thing: He just walked over and closed the shade. He didn't even ask permission.
I have no sympathy for the "I'm not sleepy yet" argument. That's what lights are for.
Now close the shade and let me watch my flick.
I have no sympathy for the "I'm not sleepy yet" argument. That's what lights are for.
Now close the shade and let me watch my flick.
Feb 4, 03, 8:42 am
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,107
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by producer:
On my recent US CDG-PHL, flight, I was blinded by the light from 1A (the only one who refused to close theirs). I asked the FA nicely, and he did a wonderful thing: He just walked over and closed the shade. He didn't even ask permission.
I have no sympathy for the "I'm not sleepy yet" argument. That's what lights are for.
Now close the shade and let me watch my flick.</font>
On my recent US CDG-PHL, flight, I was blinded by the light from 1A (the only one who refused to close theirs). I asked the FA nicely, and he did a wonderful thing: He just walked over and closed the shade. He didn't even ask permission.
I have no sympathy for the "I'm not sleepy yet" argument. That's what lights are for.
Now close the shade and let me watch my flick.</font>
If I had been the passenger, I would have immediately opened it again if someone did that to be honest. I am prepared to compromise to only having it 1/2 open , but if I have a window seat, I intend to be able to look out of it. There are exceptions, when travelling oz bound from europe on a night flight, dawn occurs very early on, so I keep the shade down, but during a day flight I would just open it again if an member of cabin crew just closed it.
Dave
Feb 4, 03, 8:44 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 173
I like to seat on the window seat, but only to watch takeoffs and landings. I later close down the shade and try to sleep. I have never received a request from my seatmate to neither open it or close it. Neither I have asked when travelling on an aisle. The question is, who has the authority to decide what's going to happen with the shade, the window seater or the seatmate??
Feb 4, 03, 9:00 am
#6
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On CX, attendents bring a stick and order the shade to be closed according to protocol, or they will close it with the stick. If AA FAs had that stick, they should give that pax (who refused) a good slap on his backside 
V
Like it or not, but when an FA says "close it", you have to.
I can understand having it open at night (I like using the window to cool my pillow), but during the daylight, keep it shut if bothering others.
VLike it or not, but when an FA says "close it", you have to.
I can understand having it open at night (I like using the window to cool my pillow), but during the daylight, keep it shut if bothering others.
Feb 4, 03, 9:22 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2002
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I prefer to have the window open during daylight flights (especially LHR-SYD) as I find it helps with the jetlag.
That considered, I've been on CX with the sticks and the FAs can be pretty forceful about closing the window (but in a nice way)
- Simon
That considered, I've been on CX with the sticks and the FAs can be pretty forceful about closing the window (but in a nice way)
- Simon
Feb 4, 03, 9:22 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 336
I'm probably in the minority here but I don't normally sit around in the dark at 11:00 in the morning whether I'm at home, at work or in an airplane. For me as a geologist, one of the great pleasures in flying is observing land forms and weather related phenomena.
So I'm that guy at the window seat with the shade open during daylight hours. I do try to be considerate and lower the shade half way if it is obviously interfering. But I'll take a brilliant lightning storm over the Pacfic, a sunlit Grand Canyon or the splendor of a sunrise over the snow covered Alps (and I've seen them all) any day over I Love Raymond reruns.
So I'm that guy at the window seat with the shade open during daylight hours. I do try to be considerate and lower the shade half way if it is obviously interfering. But I'll take a brilliant lightning storm over the Pacfic, a sunlit Grand Canyon or the splendor of a sunrise over the snow covered Alps (and I've seen them all) any day over I Love Raymond reruns.
Feb 4, 03, 9:24 am
#9
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I always leave it open 1/4 of the way and no one has ever complained. I will NOT sit for 10 hours in a dark tube so others can watch a movie. The scenery outside is much more enjoyable. The screens also ought to be made so they don't reflect light- there is never a problem on a 757 aircraft even when everyone keeps their shade up.
Feb 4, 03, 9:39 am
#10
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SHADO:
Like it or not, but when an FA says "close it", you have to.</font>
Like it or not, but when an FA says "close it", you have to.</font>
I saw this situation happen on an America West flight last year. One guy in a window seat wanted his window open. He wasn't watching the movie but he did closed it half way to try and be accommodating. It wasn't enough for this bozo in the seat in front of me because there was one little patch of glare still in the bottom corner of the monitor. The FA talked to the guy in the window again and he refused to close his window any farther so the FA told the other guy there was nothing more she could do.
Feb 4, 03, 9:43 am
#11
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I'm a window seat guy. I enjoy looking out the window. I'm willing to close it half way, but the flight attendants should have eye shades available for those who want to sleep.
Feb 4, 03, 9:58 am
#12
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tazi:
The heck you do! Some people like to look out the window. That is why they ask for window seats. </font>
The heck you do! Some people like to look out the window. That is why they ask for window seats. </font>
I'm a window seat guy too. And I'll close it when I know it is a burden. BTW, I just want the guy sitting in front of me to stop leaning the chair back during meal time. I always get that!
[This message has been edited by SHADO (edited 02-04-2003).]
Feb 4, 03, 10:01 am
#13
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20 years or so ago, i would have missed a very spectacular sight coming back from europe....it was a bright , bright sun-shiney day & we happened to be over greenland, the sight was fabulous.... i hope that those that were watching the movie had as great experience as i did...
one gets a window seat to either look out or rest your head & pillow . i prefer aisle normally but on flights where i might see something new, i get a window & want to use it...
one gets a window seat to either look out or rest your head & pillow . i prefer aisle normally but on flights where i might see something new, i get a window & want to use it...
Feb 4, 03, 10:02 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Third planet from the Sun
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It helps to overcome jet lag to force your body into the time zones that you are flying too. Looking at a sunrise can help in the process.
Feb 4, 03, 10:07 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Washington, DC USA
Posts: 9
I'm a window guy. I'll close it if there's alot of glare or heat coming through. Otherwise, I keep it open so I can see the landscape. Actually, I make a point of choosing a seat on the side away from the sun so that glare and heat are not a problem.
