Window Shade Etiquette Question
Jun 6, 2005 | 8:47 pm
#16
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Originally Posted by PTravel
I appreciate the sentiment, but don't understand the logic. I can't see turbulence, but I can see the horizon and the ground -- by seeing both I remain oriented and less terrified.
Jun 6, 2005 | 8:55 pm
#17
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I think flymrpuff got it exactly right.
I may have a little (only a little) less sympathy for your seatmate than some others. From my limited experience, most people flying up front generally prefer aisle seats. Window seats generally seem to be the last F seats selected. If he had a choice and choose the aisle seat, he lost priority in whether the shade was raised or lowered. If I want to see outside or if I want to read by natural light, I'll try to get a window seat. If I am more concerned about being able to get out a little quicker or to get up and move around without disturbing my seatmate(s), I'll choose an aisle. I suspect (but do not know) that he had the same option.
However, I don't think it's fair to suggest that someone from a significantly different angle could determine the intensity of the outside light reflected on the screen, other than direct sunlight. The screens are pretty poor to begin with and worse in some positions than others (as SeatGuru sometimes notes).
I may have a little (only a little) less sympathy for your seatmate than some others. From my limited experience, most people flying up front generally prefer aisle seats. Window seats generally seem to be the last F seats selected. If he had a choice and choose the aisle seat, he lost priority in whether the shade was raised or lowered. If I want to see outside or if I want to read by natural light, I'll try to get a window seat. If I am more concerned about being able to get out a little quicker or to get up and move around without disturbing my seatmate(s), I'll choose an aisle. I suspect (but do not know) that he had the same option.
However, I don't think it's fair to suggest that someone from a significantly different angle could determine the intensity of the outside light reflected on the screen, other than direct sunlight. The screens are pretty poor to begin with and worse in some positions than others (as SeatGuru sometimes notes).
Jun 6, 2005 | 9:01 pm
#18
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Originally Posted by PTravel
I think you're right and you've hit the nail on the head: it's fine to ask, but it's fine to refuse.
Jun 6, 2005 | 10:07 pm
#19
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I would have lowered it if a FA asked me to, but not otherwise.. if I were in your situation. I can understand your fellow passenger's concern, but I think your situation trumps his concern. my 2 cents.
Jun 6, 2005 | 10:23 pm
#20
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You did more than the right thing. I agree with the "your window - your shade" sentiment.
I often choose window seats so that I can look out and/or get natural light - I read a lot on planes, and the overhead reading light is often too dim and lights too small an area. I don't see why my desire to be entertained in these ways is any less important that someone else's desire to be entertained by watching TV.
If I can see the light is distrubing someone I'll lower the shade some, but if I want the light or the view, I'm going to take it.
I often choose window seats so that I can look out and/or get natural light - I read a lot on planes, and the overhead reading light is often too dim and lights too small an area. I don't see why my desire to be entertained in these ways is any less important that someone else's desire to be entertained by watching TV.
If I can see the light is distrubing someone I'll lower the shade some, but if I want the light or the view, I'm going to take it.
Jun 7, 2005 | 12:29 am
#21
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Originally Posted by 53flyer
You can't see turbulence, so leave the shade down rather than disturbing your seat opponent.
I'm just joking with you, by the way.
I'm a poor student, but trying, of foreign language.
Jun 7, 2005 | 12:33 am
#23
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Originally Posted by PresRDC
No offense, but have you considered counseling? If turbulence, which is incredibly routine and of no danger to an aircraft, can make you terrified, you may benefit from professional help.
As a professional courtesy to a fellow OMNI-ite, I'll offer my unprofessional services for the discounted rate of $100/hour + espresso.
Jun 7, 2005 | 6:53 am
#25
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Originally Posted by PresRDC
No offense, but have you considered counseling?
If turbulence, which is incredibly routine and of no danger to an aircraft, can make you terrified, you may benefit from professional help.
Jun 7, 2005 | 2:41 pm
#26
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Originally Posted by PTravel
My seatmate asked me if I would lower the shade. I told him I needed to be able to look out -- that's why I chose the window seat. He said, not rudely, that it created a glare on the IFE screen (the plane had those little LCD monitors that swing down from the bottom of the overhead bin). The light from the window was not directly on the screen, i.e. it wasn't as if the sun was shining directly on it, and I had no trouble seeing the entire image on the screen. However, I also could not tell if, from his angle, there was a significant amount of glare or not.
Was I wrong? Was the pax wrong? Were we both wrong?
Was I wrong? Was the pax wrong? Were we both wrong?
Jun 7, 2005 | 3:19 pm
#27
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I think you more than accomodated the passenger next to you. When I am asked to lower the shade on those rare times I actually have a window seat, I do it half way as an accomodation because I also like to look out the window and have natural light with which to read. If the other passenger wants to pout, I'll put on my headphones and tune him out.
Jun 7, 2005 | 9:17 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2005
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Originally Posted by DeafFlyer
I may be weird but if there is a lot of sunlight coming in, I will use a blanket or a jacket to cover it in a way that I can see out and not bother anyone.
On the original topic, I agree with the people that said "my seat my window."
Jun 11, 2005 | 8:09 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Originally Posted by PTravel
I was flying a UA transcon the other day (I'm being vague about airports and dates in case the pax who is the subject of this post is a FT reader), seated in paid-for F, bulkhead window seat. As a lifelong flying phobic, albeit a frequent flyer flying phobic (FFFP?), I _always_ take a window seat. Flying bothers me a lot less than it used to, but I deeply despise turbulence (or the prospect of turbulence), and looking out the window helps me orient myself. Also, for some strange reason, if I can see the ground turbulence doesn't bother me as much.
The seat next to me was occupied by a pleasant person, and we even had a nice chat before takeoff about electronics. Towards the end of the flight, about 1-1/2 hours before touchdown, the pilot announced that we're headed for some bumpiness and turned on the seat belt light. I had been listening to channel 9 and heard other pilots reporting everything from light chop to moderate, sustained turbulence. I, of course, consistent with FFFP good practice ordered another glass of wine and raised my window shade. At that point, I noticed that I'm the only person with a raised shade in the F compartment, so I lowered it half-way. It was still, however, rather bright.
My seatmate asked me if I would lower the shade. I told him I needed to be able to look out -- that's why I chose the window seat. He said, not rudely, that it created a glare on the IFE screen (the plane had those little LCD monitors that swing down from the bottom of the overhead bin). The light from the window was not directly on the screen, i.e. it wasn't as if the sun was shining directly on it, and I had no trouble seeing the entire image on the screen. However, I also could not tell if, from his angle, there was a significant amount of glare or not.
I lowered my shade even more, so that there was just a tiny crack that I could look out of. However, he was clearly unhappy that I wouldn't put the shade down completely. Once we landed, we both disembarked without the usual "nice to chat with you" remark.
I can't say that I think he was wrong for being ticked off, but I'm also not convinced that I was wrong, either. I tried for the best compromise that accomodated both of our needs, albeit imperfectly. My only option would have been to lower the shade completely and spent the last 90 minutes of the flight in pure terror (as it turned out, the turbulence was, for the most part, relatively mild).
I'm really not clear what the etiquette of the situation called for, and would like to hear the opinions of other FTers. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in not imposing on other passengers, and not accepting imposition. I honestly can't figure out how this situation would resolve against this dynamic.
Was I wrong? Was the pax wrong? Were we both wrong?
The seat next to me was occupied by a pleasant person, and we even had a nice chat before takeoff about electronics. Towards the end of the flight, about 1-1/2 hours before touchdown, the pilot announced that we're headed for some bumpiness and turned on the seat belt light. I had been listening to channel 9 and heard other pilots reporting everything from light chop to moderate, sustained turbulence. I, of course, consistent with FFFP good practice ordered another glass of wine and raised my window shade. At that point, I noticed that I'm the only person with a raised shade in the F compartment, so I lowered it half-way. It was still, however, rather bright.
My seatmate asked me if I would lower the shade. I told him I needed to be able to look out -- that's why I chose the window seat. He said, not rudely, that it created a glare on the IFE screen (the plane had those little LCD monitors that swing down from the bottom of the overhead bin). The light from the window was not directly on the screen, i.e. it wasn't as if the sun was shining directly on it, and I had no trouble seeing the entire image on the screen. However, I also could not tell if, from his angle, there was a significant amount of glare or not.
I lowered my shade even more, so that there was just a tiny crack that I could look out of. However, he was clearly unhappy that I wouldn't put the shade down completely. Once we landed, we both disembarked without the usual "nice to chat with you" remark.
I can't say that I think he was wrong for being ticked off, but I'm also not convinced that I was wrong, either. I tried for the best compromise that accomodated both of our needs, albeit imperfectly. My only option would have been to lower the shade completely and spent the last 90 minutes of the flight in pure terror (as it turned out, the turbulence was, for the most part, relatively mild).
I'm really not clear what the etiquette of the situation called for, and would like to hear the opinions of other FTers. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in not imposing on other passengers, and not accepting imposition. I honestly can't figure out how this situation would resolve against this dynamic.
Was I wrong? Was the pax wrong? Were we both wrong?