Not quite, but still grim. Should there be an accident and subsequent fire, the crew evacuating can see outside and judge which exits are unusable. This is a result of an accident/evac which occurred about 5 years ago at JFK. Textbook evac, total hull loss, minimal injuries.

I think the shades up (during landing/takeoff) is a security precaution. In case of a mishap, it would be nice to know what the situation outside is (whether there is a fire, water etc.) without struggling to get the shades up.

On the issue of whose right it is: I often try to get some sleep on long flights and the open shades with their glare are a big pain. Most of the time people are nice enough to pull the shaded down. However I have had the case of people who are reading a book who refuse to letgo of the natural light, even though the overhead reading light would serve their purpose well. Talk about concern for their fellow travellers. Also the glare from the shades makes watching the in-flight movie impossible and tough on the eyes. I saw a post above about "if you want to watch a movie go to a theatre". I could not fathom why someone has to be so aggressive about the shade. After all, the inflight entertainment is part of the airplance experience (or whatever is left of it); please do not take that away! On some flights I have seen the FAs requesting the passengers to get the shades half the way down to reduce the glare for the passengers interested in sleeping/watching the movie. But even there I have seen holdouts. I try to get a window seat so I am in control of the shade most of the time, but I wonder why some passengers have to be so inconsiderate and aggressive about the shade. Is it claustrophobia??

An airplane is not the only place one can watch a movie. However, an airplane is the ONLY place one can see the ground from 35,000 feet in the air.

Re using natural light vs. reading light for one who wants to read and another who wants to sleep -- isn't it easier to sleep with natural light coming through the window rather than an artificial light from directly above?

I agree with JSrombough on this 100% - I love looking out the window and generally keep the shade halfway up even if they're showing a movie: nobody's complained yet - people probably see the spirit of compromise in my actions. Also, over the breadbasket and the Great Basin I'll shut it, just taking an occasional peek out.

It sure is amazing at the territorial aspects of humans are on a plane! or off for that matter.

[This message has been edited by ROADRUNNER (edited 08-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by ROADRUNNER (edited 08-08-2000).]

When the Sun is glaring in past the window seat and into the eyes of the other passengers, it should be down! Regardless if the Shade Manager is reading or not!

I don't mind reaching OVER and giving the shade a push down!

It's nice to have the shades down during 6am flights without a movie - many passengers try to get some shuteye during these flights.

I don't like to lower the shades during the day when there is a nice view, but I will compromise for others even if I have the window seat.

I usually like to read rather than watch videos or movies. I find the overhead lights quite dim for reading. Sometimes the seats in J or F will have an extra light on a gooseneck that helps, but still, for my eyes, the window lighting is really helpful. So when I want to read and others want to watch video/movie, we have to compromise, but I wouldn't impose my entire will on someone (ie shades all the way up when they want to watch the movie).

hmmm, i always thought that during the movies, it is compulsory to have the shades down? (because it is publicly announced, like fasten your seatbelt, return to your seat, smoking prohibited...etc. etc.?)

although i normally do not watch the movies, i do pull the shades down as soon as they start...

belle .. many are the times I have heard the pa boom "we are about the run the movie now and would appreciate passengers closing the window shades as a courtesy to fellow passengers", so it still happens.

Now with personal screens in F and C, indeed coach on many airlines, those itty bitty screens are pretty hopeless with full sun on them, and thus shades being closed makes sense.

Same with laptop computer use .. try squinting at a screen with full sun on it.

You get middle or aisle seat you really have to use common sense with the window sitter, altough like Catman I've had a few times when that person was gonna do their thing no matter WHAT!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

First of all let me define the basic premise of my reasoning. In modern aircraft, the ratio between people with window seats vs total number of passengers in varies from 1:2.5 on narrow body MD80 to 1:5 on 747s. In transcons, the number is ratio is more like to be 1:3 higher. Hence every window seat passenger's self-motivated action is likely to affect at least two others.

In most modern aircraft, the reading light is bright enough and appropriately directed so that it does not fall on the face of passengers on adjoining seats. I personally had no problems with the reading light on my weekly transcons. Neither when reading/working nor when trying to get some sleep when the passenger seated next to me is using the light.

Regarding sight-seeing from 35,000 ft: I do not have a problem if people spend *some* time looking out of the window. I can bet that most sight-seers spend maybe 5-10% of the total flight time on a trans-con craning their necks. Many times there is cloud cover, which though fascinating in its own right, limits the view you can get. Why not keep the shade down half the way or more, unless you have the urge to look or the pilot points to a landmark??

However, as an individual who is perhaps more sensitive to glare than normal, I find it inconsiderate that people have to keep the shade all the way up when it seriously affects other passengers' ability to work on a laptop, watch a movie (which you paid $5 for) or just get some rest.


[This message has been edited by SJC2ISP (edited 08-09-2000).]

belle3388: On UA, there's an announcement (probably scripted) that suggests that window shades be lowered "if you are not enjoying the view." I think that's reasonable.

Sometimes if sunlight glare or reading lights get to be too bothersome I will put on sunglasses, or even eyeshades that I take along in my briefcase.

As much as I may be driven to distraction by the shades being either up or down, it is just as much the prerogative of my seatmates to have their preferences.

Couldn't have said it better myself, FQTV! You're quite the evangelist, so a hearty AMEN to you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hear, hear. If I'm in the window seat, the shade stays up, regardless.

I'm one of those agressive sorts, I guess. I feel it's inconsiderate of those not seated by the window to expect me to sacrifice my nice daylight for them. I'm shut up in an office, in front of a computer all day long under florescent lighting. So when I'm on a plane I want to relax with good book by REAL light, enjoy the view and daydream. Tough nouggies if my seat opponents don't get everything their way.


[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 08-09-2000).]