Window Shades UP!
 

Does anyone know why that only on US flights operated by Republic Airlines that they are extremely anal about having your window shade up for takeoff and landing? I've seen a few FA's even lean over and slam it up if you're still sleeping before landing.


I've asked an FA before and she said because it's a rule, but couldn't explain why it was a rule.

Fair enough!

OOP'S

Wrong airline I posted this under


Can this be moved to US forum?


Sorry CO's

Before they move it
 

It isn't just US Carriers....check out Thai's Safety Demo...they include it in their demo summary.

Thai Airways Demo

It is about 00:01:12 into the video when they ask you to put them up/down. It isn't a Federal Rule....but in case we need to see out for fire, water or other hazard, we appreciate you keeping them up for landing/take-off

American Airlines does it to (only on some flights).

TWA had a company policy of window shades up on take off and landing that was adopted after the aborted take off and crash of flight 843 at JFK in 1992.

In the incident one of the engines caught fire and the flight attendants were not able to see outside to confirm the fire because a number of the window shades were down (the two under-wing engines on the L-1011 could not be seen from the flight deck; the fire was the result of a crack in the fuel line on engine #2).

As a result, TWA adopted this policy which I think made a lot of sense from a safety point of view.

P.S.: Despite the aborted take off and fiery crash, the entire plane was evacuated in under two minutes without any loss of life

I encountered this policy once on a Continental flight.

But the TWA 843 explanation makes sense. I remember being surprised how consistent TWA was about requiring the shades up -- thought it had something to do with lighting at night making the aircraft more visible. That was wrong.

Ran into a site about flight 843 last week. Really incredible story with some real heroism from the crew against some devilishly selfish passengers. A far cry from the attitude of some of the Tenerife flight attendants (but that's for another board at another time). And sadly, they were all furloughed post the AA acquisition.

http://www.twaflight843.com/

Happend to me several times on co express operated by Chataqua (aka republic)

I can't imagine ever having it down during takeoff and landing. That's when you have the absolute best view... Watching your departure point 'disappear' beneath you, and/or your arrival point slowly rise up to meet you.

If absolutely floors me when people have the window seat and I'm 'stuck' in the aisle, and they don't look out the window during takeoff and landing.

The only view I want is of the insides of my eye lids. If its light outside I have my shade down.

Or you could wear one of those sleeping eyeshades. That and earplugs and I’m in my own little world.

It's all about orientation...
 

A FA told me that (God forbid), if a plane crashes or has an accident of any sort, the passengers will be able to see what is going on outside and orient themselves (especially if the plane flipped upside down).

The same applies for the no trays and reclined seats. In an emergency, if a seat is reclined, the passenger sitting behind might have a hard time escaping. Same with trays. The passenger might get caught and not be able to escape.

Better be safe than sorry!:)

Same on Singapore Air, shades must be open.

I have them open anyway as I just enjoy the view during takeoff/landing. Especially on such nice path like Zurich has to offer.
W

I am sitting the most times on an isle seat, so I don´t have a "problem" with the windows Shades. :)

I've seen this on Eagle flights for the whole plane and recently on a AA 767 in the exit row only.

According to the USAToday article Ask the Captain it pertains to potential evacuation procedures.

What is interesting is that, according to the Window Shades (POLICY QUESTION ONLY!!!) thread, until about a year ago, CO actually had a policy to ask for shades to be down during IFE. So they forced you to raise the shades at take off, lower the shades after, and then raise the shades at landing. Why even have shades that passengers can move in that case? They should be automated. :eek: