climmy

I flew a transcon today on a 767 in first. The usual movie preview and schpeel about closing window shades for better main screen viewing about 15 minutes in.

After the announcement about the window shades but PRIOR to starting the movie, the guy sitting in the aisle next to me (I was in the A seat) looked at me once, twice, and then reached across me and closed MY shade.

I just about laughed !! I was going to close the shade anyway when the movie started, but am I OBLIGATED to close my shade at all? Isn't the window shade control the only little bit of control I can exercise in my little flying world? Isn't it the benefit I get for assigning myself a window seat?

og

I'd just open it again and return a smile.

Arnold

I'm with you. On clear days and nights I love looking out the window. I always try and get and consider the window shade as under my control. Second big benefit is not having someone crawling across me to go to bathroom.

goingsomewhere

IMHO, you're not obligated at all. Pretty rude of the other person to not ask.

Someone wanted my shade closed when I wanted it opened.

A woman had the middle seat and asked me to lower the shade, so she could use her laptop.

I told her I always sit in window seats because I want to look outside, and yes, on certain flight paths, you do see something.

I handed her the what to do in emergencies placard and told her to use that for shade instead.

She struggled helplessly in trying to set the placard upright to shade out her screen for a few moments before I easily set it up for her.


Morals of the story:
1. the emergencies placard makes a great sunshade
2. during certain times, don't sit on a certain side of the plane where you will definitely get more sun than the other side

grouse

That's rich. Once someone next to me politely asked if I could lower the shade halfway because he wanted to use his laptop. I had no problem with it. If he had done this, the shade would have gone straight back up

Howgart

As an avowed aisle sitter, I've always wondered about the opposite situation. Even though I sit almost exclusively in aisle seats, I do prefer the shade open on clear days and nights (less claustrophobic for me). lnvariably, nine times out of ten, the window seat occupant will shut the shade immediately after take-off without asking about my preference. (Not saying I believe they should, however I think I would ask were the situation reversed). Seems like most folks who sit in window seats believe the shade is under their control, and that it's not a "shared space" situation. (again, not trying to be critical ...just an observation and follow-on inference).

I suppose there's no "right" answer here, however I am curious about others' views. So what's the proper protocol here? Should the window seat passengers check-in with their aisle seat mates before proceeding to pull the shade? Do aisle sitters give up a say in the matter by choosing aisle seats? (BTW, the few times I've asked people if they would mind leaving it open a bit, they've been great about it). So what do you think? Inquiring minds want to know!

Cheers......h.

ijgordon

IMO, Aisle sitters give up all "rights" to the shade, in exchange for the extra elbow room. They are of course entitled to ask the window seat their preference, but the window seat should be under no obligation to accomodate. Obviously some type of compromise may be necessary for a peaceful flight, and I'm not against that, particularly when the sun is shining directly into someone's eyes, and particularly when I'm asked nicely. But at the end of the day, I often feel claustrophobic sitting in a tin can next to a wall, so will need to have the window at least partially open.

grouse

I almost always sit in aisles where possible. I have never thought I had any right to tell the window seat what to do with the windowshade (although if, say, light were shining right in my eyes

jaynyc

And window sitters give up floor space as well, meaning the space by the aisle sitter's feet is yours. So if they won't share their window shade, don't share the floor space in front of your feet.....and tell them that they should have brought a portable johnny on the plane

jaynyc

What if the FA asks you to close the shade (which I have seen happen)? It comes across more like a polite order. Never saw someone tell the FA that they love the view and too bad for those watching the movie.

And what is the protocol for a window sitter who is asleep? Do you wake them and ask if it is OK to close the shade?

moondog

this is one of the more frequently discussed (travelbuzz!) topics, but in the absence of a search function, i will chime in with my view, nonetheless.

personally, i like window seats because i enjoy staring mindlessly at deserts, clouds, even large bodies of water. however, i also try to take the wants/needs of my fellow pax into account. what's more, i recognize that a single open window can alter the mood for an entire cabin. (off topic, the entire f cabin of my recent sha-tsn was kept dark for reasons unbeknownst to me.)

therefore, on daytime tpacs, i usually keep my windows shut 99% of the time (open only to check things out once every 2 hours or so). on other day flights with movies or laptop using seatmates, i typically reserve one of my 2-3 windows for myself and close the others.

tazi

I have. On an America West flight BWI-LAS a couple years ago. He ended up leaving the shade up about 3/4. This was when you HAD to pay to watch movies regardless of whether or not you used your own headphones. Can't say that I blame him since he wasn't watching the movie.

I would consider this a situation where it would be OK to reach over without disturbing, and close the shade. He's asleep so he isn't looking out the window.

While we are on the subject, what rights to you think middle seat folks have? I always figured if stuck in middle seat you should have rights to both armrests.

PresRDC

I too am a pretty dedicated window sitter for all the reasons mentioned.

My policy is that the windows are open for taxi, takeoff, climbout, descent, landing and taxi. During the cruise phase, it depends. If I am using my laptop (which I do on longer flights), I'll close the window. If I am not using the laptop, my normal inclination is to keep it open as I prefer the natural light to the reading light. That said, I will lower it if the aisle seat pax is sleeping, working on a laptop, or watching the movie without having to be asked. I do, however, reserve the right to take periodic peaks out.

howellajohnson

On the 777s in First, there appear to be what might be considered "shared" window shades. Then what? I have operated under the rule of FMA "First Mover AAdvantage" i.e. whomever re-adjusts the shade first, up or down, wins. And you?

driscj

How about someone repointing your "fresh" air jet at themselves while you're sitting there?

Had that once and then was going to get miffed until we started chatting. It was her first time flying so we chatted about that while I repointed it myself.