If you don't like what the window seat passenger is doing with the shade you might ask to switch places with him/her!

Then you might be able to control the shade.

On many flights I may be looking out the window for most of the time. Taking pictures, too.

More travel tips: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

Gotta some down on the side of window-seat-occupant-controls-the shade.

You get an aisle seat, you win extra leg and elbow room (unless the cart is wheeling by) and easy access to the lav or to stretch your legs. But the window customer just gets one advantage: the sight-seeing opportunity. Not fair to deny 'em that.
(Of course, if you're flying coach on a 2-5-2 and catch that center-middle seat, you're just outta luck)

As for the movie ... I NEVER watch the awful things. And I'm not responsible for anyone who chooses to. If I'm on the window, I figure the view is part of what I get for my ticket price ... the movie is some side deal other pax work with the airline. (maybe future planes can offer movie/no-movie seating)?

If you wanna sleep and the sun bothers ya, why not take along sunglasses or a nighttime eye mask?

I never had a problem either until this recent flight.

Window seat has several advantages besides the window and shade: not having anyone crawl over you when they need to use the bathroom, and not having carts and people brushing against you, your elbows and your various bodily members, more "space privacy".

What isn't entirely fair is to have a seatmate who either insists on the shades being opened or closed irrationally and without consideration of neighbors. I just don't think this is entirely right, IMHO

--Richard