Do a majority of people sleep on daytime transcontinental flights?
Nov 12, 2019, 7:14 am
#46
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 583
I understand that it's not a FAA or airline rule on DL that shades be up for takeoff and landing, but IMO it's safer that they are, so if I control the shade, it's up during these periods. When boarding starts, it normally doesn't affect the temperature much in FC, plus there are many times when the cabin is too cold rather than too hot.
Similarly, I turn on all lights under my control upon landing to make it less likely that items will be forgotten and left behind on the aircraft. I want to see well when I'm checking seat pockets, etc.
Similarly, I turn on all lights under my control upon landing to make it less likely that items will be forgotten and left behind on the aircraft. I want to see well when I'm checking seat pockets, etc.
Nov 12, 2019, 8:18 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: RDU
Posts: 679
This is also my super power - I can sleep in any moving vehicle. Landing can jolt me awake, but then I can fall back asleep again until we reach the gate.
Nov 12, 2019, 9:25 am
#49
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: IAD, DCA, BWI
Programs: SPG-Plat, AA-Gold, DL-Plat
Posts: 41
When I fly internationally, I try to start to adjust to my final destination's time zone when I begin my journey. So if it's night time in my final destination during my flight, I will try my best to sleep. However, if it's daytime there when I take off, I will try to stay awake as much as possible.
Nov 12, 2019, 10:10 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
(1)For a short period after 9/11 many of the flights I took required shades to be CLOSED for the last 30 minutes before landing. On one flight the captain noted on the PA “for obvious reasons...”. I think the logic was that a terrorist wouldn’t know over what potential target the plane was over, when he detonated his bomb.
(2)I find planes to be like “sardine cans”, with the shade open I feel that the inside (of the plane) and the outside “merge”—much more spacious for me.
(3)Locating landmarks on the ground is very enjoyable (even at 35,000 ft).
(2)I find planes to be like “sardine cans”, with the shade open I feel that the inside (of the plane) and the outside “merge”—much more spacious for me.
(3)Locating landmarks on the ground is very enjoyable (even at 35,000 ft).
Nov 12, 2019, 11:43 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
i feel like it is more of a courtesy reason to close it despite sleeping or not. the guy next to me from BOS to LAX in D1 the other day had his shade open the whole time. i didn't sleep but it was so hard for me to watch a movie. he didn't get the hint that everyone had their shades closed. kind of rude to be honest with you... i kindly asked him if he could close it. he said no since he needs to work and besides he said i was watching a movie anyway.
Nov 12, 2019, 12:27 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
There is this marvel of technology called a reading light. In D1 there's one overhead and one in the seat at minimum.
Nov 12, 2019, 12:46 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Sky Club
Posts: 589
Nov 12, 2019, 12:52 pm
#55
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Nov 12, 2019, 1:03 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
It seems to be the norm, at least on UA, that everyone goes to sleep after the meal service regardless of the time of day. This becomes annoying when you are trying to adjust to destination time zone since it has been well established that light exposure is the number one factor that affects your sleep cycle. You can either be the only one that leaves your shade up and get complaints from people who don't want to use a sleep mask, or close the shade and sit in the dark and fall asleep yourself, screwing up your sleep cycle.
Nov 12, 2019, 1:43 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,667
Nov 12, 2019, 2:07 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
Nov 12, 2019, 2:36 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: DL
Posts: 196
Having all window shades closed on a daytime flight makes me feel more claustrophobic, so I usually book a window seat to control mine. I will partially lower it, if the sun directly shines in. Seeing even just a bit of the outside makes me feel much better, as I can focus on something besides the crowded tube.
Nov 12, 2019, 3:01 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Having all window shades closed on a daytime flight makes me feel more claustrophobic, so I usually book a window seat to control mine. I will partially lower it, if the sun directly shines in. Seeing even just a bit of the outside makes me feel much better, as I can focus on something besides the crowded tube.