UA Edition: Window shades up? Who controls / decides?
#46
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Question for those who insist on a pitch black cabin during day flights: when you are at home during the day do you put the shades down on all the windows and turn out all the lights? What about in your office?
I'll answer first since I asked the question. No. I leave the shades open and the lights on because like most normal humans, I like light in the day time and darkness at night. This is irrespective of the view out my window (my office has a great view, but I don't keep the shade open to look at the view, I keep it open because I don't want to fall asleep at my desk; I would keep my office window open even if it looked onto the ocean).
The thing I really do not understand is people who claim they want to turn off the lights to look at a computer screen. Somehow most normal people who work in an office building manage to do work on their computer with the lights on and the window shades open. So why does this suddenly change when you are on an airplane, that somehow you cannot do anything unless it is pitch black? Or weren't you aware that you could adjust the brightness of your screen?
I was on a westbound TATL where it was daytime at the origin, daytime at the destination, and daytime at our position and the cabin was COMPLETELY black (787 shades controlled by FAs). Like, dark enough I had to turn on my reading light to see the food that was right in front of me. I guess all the computer people were very productive on that flight
I'll answer first since I asked the question. No. I leave the shades open and the lights on because like most normal humans, I like light in the day time and darkness at night. This is irrespective of the view out my window (my office has a great view, but I don't keep the shade open to look at the view, I keep it open because I don't want to fall asleep at my desk; I would keep my office window open even if it looked onto the ocean).
The thing I really do not understand is people who claim they want to turn off the lights to look at a computer screen. Somehow most normal people who work in an office building manage to do work on their computer with the lights on and the window shades open. So why does this suddenly change when you are on an airplane, that somehow you cannot do anything unless it is pitch black? Or weren't you aware that you could adjust the brightness of your screen?
I was on a westbound TATL where it was daytime at the origin, daytime at the destination, and daytime at our position and the cabin was COMPLETELY black (787 shades controlled by FAs). Like, dark enough I had to turn on my reading light to see the food that was right in front of me. I guess all the computer people were very productive on that flight
#47
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Once again, I pose the question.
I have never had a problem overriding whatever the FAs do with the window shades. They darken the entire cabin, I can still lighten my window. Is it possible that people simply haven't tried countermanding the FAs' decision? Is it possible that in the cases I have been part of, they didn't actually "lock" (if you actually can?) the window refraction? Any other data?
I'm seriously looking for information here.
I have never had a problem overriding whatever the FAs do with the window shades. They darken the entire cabin, I can still lighten my window. Is it possible that people simply haven't tried countermanding the FAs' decision? Is it possible that in the cases I have been part of, they didn't actually "lock" (if you actually can?) the window refraction? Any other data?
I'm seriously looking for information here.
#48
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
See the analogy?
#49
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Once again, I pose the question.
I have never had a problem overriding whatever the FAs do with the window shades. They darken the entire cabin, I can still lighten my window. Is it possible that people simply haven't tried countermanding the FAs' decision? Is it possible that in the cases I have been part of, they didn't actually "lock" (if you actually can?) the window refraction? Any other data?
I'm seriously looking for information here.
I have never had a problem overriding whatever the FAs do with the window shades. They darken the entire cabin, I can still lighten my window. Is it possible that people simply haven't tried countermanding the FAs' decision? Is it possible that in the cases I have been part of, they didn't actually "lock" (if you actually can?) the window refraction? Any other data?
I'm seriously looking for information here.
#50
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 451
Also, to some other comments, I am not sure departure time at origin or destination should control either. Some people may have connected to that flight. They are on some wacky time zone. They may also have a night shift.
It seems to me that if one wants the window open then perhaps one should ask those around them if they are ok with it? And if one insists that they control the window, I sure hope that they do not shut it when they want to sleep. Own the decision. If others have to resort to an eye mask, as should that person.
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
I'm the opposite - I find it immensely unsafe to have the shade down during landing. I wish more US carriers require all window shades up during take-off and landing. I typically choose Window seat for this purpose.
On the original point - keep in mind some TATL flights take-off nightime or red-eye resulting in sunlight hitting plane mid-trip. The original passenger may be knocked out or wearing eyemask.
On the original point - keep in mind some TATL flights take-off nightime or red-eye resulting in sunlight hitting plane mid-trip. The original passenger may be knocked out or wearing eyemask.
And of course, in the event of a crash it helps rescue workers to see inside.
#52
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
In my office at certain times of the year in the morning the light streams in through the windows obscuring computer screens and giving a sort of searchlight type ambience. The shades are then pulled down and are opened later in the day when the light is less obtrusive.
See the analogy?
See the analogy?
#53
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
If you’re the only person with shades up, in a cabin where all other shades are down, it doesn’t matter if you are in the right vis-a-vis etiquette.
Everybody else in the cabin will find you to be obstinate, at best.
If you don’t care that this is how you’re being perceived, then may god help you.
Everybody else in the cabin will find you to be obstinate, at best.
If you don’t care that this is how you’re being perceived, then may god help you.
#54
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
If you’re the only person with shades up, in a cabin where all other shades are down, it doesn’t matter if you are in the right vis-a-vis etiquette.
Everybody else in the cabin will find you to be obstinate, at best.
If you don’t care that this is how you’re being perceived, then may god help you.
Everybody else in the cabin will find you to be obstinate, at best.
If you don’t care that this is how you’re being perceived, then may god help you.
One passenger complained about me, FA came over and demanded, quite rudely, that I put my shade down. I asked for the purser, and that was the end of that.
I couldn't care less how others perceive me; and tbh, living life that way has been ridiculously satisfying. For others, YMMV, of course
#56
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,481
I’m willing to concede that both sets of people might be selfish, since they are imposing their preference on the other set. But only one set of people can have their preference without affecting the other.
Those people should put put their eye masks on.
Those people should put put their eye masks on.
#57
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 451
Do the window people who insist that eye masks are the answer and who assume everyone has them (as an aside, most do not) ever close the window shades? If so, for what purpose?
I am someone who travels with an eye mask so none of this affects me that much, except perhaps when I want to watch a movie. But most people are not on FlyerTalk. Some people are kids or babies. Not sure how well masks work on them.
I am someone who travels with an eye mask so none of this affects me that much, except perhaps when I want to watch a movie. But most people are not on FlyerTalk. Some people are kids or babies. Not sure how well masks work on them.
#58
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
I have had sunlight shining straight into my eyes from someone's open window (whether cabin is lit or dark), and dark cabin where my seatmate, on 777-200 middle J section, has his computer screen in BRIGHT pointed toward my face that I had to use a magazine to block the light.
Both incidences are from inconsiderate flyers. I don't care about whether you own the window or light, as long as you are not causing me harm. I wish I know how to deal with those situations diplomatically. The guy with the BRIGHT computer screen was the most annoying, since I couldn't watch IFE with light shining in my face..
When I'm on TPAC flights and I have the window, I will open the window to watch scenery. But I'll close the shade when over ocean and there's nothing to see. I may open the shade partially from time to time to see what's outside.
Both incidences are from inconsiderate flyers. I don't care about whether you own the window or light, as long as you are not causing me harm. I wish I know how to deal with those situations diplomatically. The guy with the BRIGHT computer screen was the most annoying, since I couldn't watch IFE with light shining in my face..
When I'm on TPAC flights and I have the window, I will open the window to watch scenery. But I'll close the shade when over ocean and there's nothing to see. I may open the shade partially from time to time to see what's outside.
#59
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
I have had sunlight shining straight into my eyes from someone's open window (whether cabin is lit or dark), and dark cabin where my seatmate, on 777-200 middle J section, has his computer screen in BRIGHT pointed toward my face that I had to use a magazine to block the light.
Both incidences are from inconsiderate flyers. I don't care about whether you own the window or light, as long as you are not causing me harm. I wish I know how to deal with those situations diplomatically. The guy with the BRIGHT computer screen was the most annoying, since I couldn't watch IFE with light shining in my face..
Both incidences are from inconsiderate flyers. I don't care about whether you own the window or light, as long as you are not causing me harm. I wish I know how to deal with those situations diplomatically. The guy with the BRIGHT computer screen was the most annoying, since I couldn't watch IFE with light shining in my face..
I'm an aisle girl myself. I accept the inevitability that the window seat has 100% control over the position of the shade as readily as I accept death and taxes. I travel with a great eye mask that I got on an SQ MLE-SIN J flight a few years ago. If I'm particularly lazy, I use the UA eye mask in the amenity kit. Even with all window shades down and the entire Polaris cabin snoring, the light from the galley is enough to disturb my slim chance of sleeping.
#60
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Air Canada for one. Very annoying on my last flight from Toronto to Vancovuer. Daylight flight leaving 715am..the windows were shaded 80% of the way. Could not even take a photo of the Rockies, etc.