UA Edition: Window shades up? Who controls / decides?
#121
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I wonder how many of the 'window shades up' people are the same ones that complain about some FAs being too loud in the galley when they do their mid-flight social gigs. Or if I wanted to carry on conversations with my friend who is 3 rows behind me. They do provide earplugs, of course. I get it if everyone (or most) have their shades open, but when, seriously 75%+ of the cabin is trying to sleep, and there's a lone wolf with the shades wide open, while certainly within their right, I believe they are being inconsiderate. There has been more than one flight, while not trying to sleep, that again I could not see my movie screen because of the glare...Again, should I wear these magical, not-yet-invented eyeshades that display United's IFE directly on the eyeballs?
Last edited by MBS MillionMiler; Sep 10, 2019 at 11:33 am
#123
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I wonder how many of the 'window shades up' people are the same ones that complain about some FAs being too loud in the galley when they do their mid-flight social gigs. Or if I wanted to carry on conversations with my friend who is 3 rows behind me. They do provide earplugs, of course.
I get it if everyone (or most) have their shades open, but when, seriously 75%+ of the cabin is trying to sleep, and there's a lone wolf with the shades wide open, while certainly within their right, I believe they are being inconsiderate. There has been more than one flight, while not trying to sleep, that again I could not see my movie screen because of the glare...Again, should I wear these magical, not-yet-invented eyeshades that display United's IFE on the eyes?...
I get it if everyone (or most) have their shades open, but when, seriously 75%+ of the cabin is trying to sleep, and there's a lone wolf with the shades wide open, while certainly within their right, I believe they are being inconsiderate. There has been more than one flight, while not trying to sleep, that again I could not see my movie screen because of the glare...Again, should I wear these magical, not-yet-invented eyeshades that display United's IFE on the eyes?...
How do you know 75%+ of the cabin is trying to sleep? do you poll them? do you get up and look? Sometimes, I see people with the reading light reading a book or doing paperwork. Or watching IFE. Some people may not have chosen to close their shade but for the FA's insistence. Some are like you say and are use to sitting in the dark or close their shade if they see 75%+ closed, not because they want to sleep. But I agree, there is no know workaround to enjoy IFE when the sun is shining directly on a screen or in your eyes so that is the only time I think it is acceptable to ask someone to close their window shade. Some people can sleep during the day in direct sun light (like at the beach). Some people (like me) can't sleep even with light from the various buttons and indicators around me so I use an eye shade. You can't please everyone
#124
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That would be interesting to know for sure! Even despite my claustrophobia/aerophobia/anxiety requiring me to often have my window shade up, I'm obviously going to consider closing it if there's a shine/glare that would disturb the cabin OR I'm notified that I'm bothering other passengers because of it. That's just out of common decency and respect...
And since there seems to be more unruly/rude passengers by the day, I'd suggest to airlines in general to have a reprimand in order, as a way to keep some form of air-etiquette. I mean, it shouldn't result in a No-Fly list or anything, but should be enough warning to prompt them to not do it again UNLESS there's a valid excuse for it (such as my own personal reasons above).
And since there seems to be more unruly/rude passengers by the day, I'd suggest to airlines in general to have a reprimand in order, as a way to keep some form of air-etiquette. I mean, it shouldn't result in a No-Fly list or anything, but should be enough warning to prompt them to not do it again UNLESS there's a valid excuse for it (such as my own personal reasons above).
#125
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Some people like myself pick a window seat to be able to look out. I get very claustrophobic and need to look out when I need to.
#126
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So this goes to a question I posted earlier, which clearly was not too engaging as no one responded. You close the shades in order to sleep so maybe others want the shades closed when they sleep. Or maybe they like shades open. Clearly the shades affect more than the person in the window seat, which is why I don't understand the notion that window seat means you get all of the control. I am not trying to argue but it seems to be that there should be some happy medium. Maybe you should have to keep the shades open the whole time because how is fair that you get closed shades to sleep but others don't? If you were to say that you too will sleep with shades open because, you too, can use an eye mask then you are being consistent.
I wonder how many of the 'window shades up' people are the same ones that complain about some FAs being too loud in the galley when they do their mid-flight social gigs. Or if I wanted to carry on conversations with my friend who is 3 rows behind me. They do provide earplugs, of course.
Real life, egregious experience just this week! Flying from Florida to ORD, last row of F on a 739, in '5E', aisle seat. 5:00PM-ish departure. One above the clouds, there's this giant, bright orange ball in the sky. For over a half-hour, the only shade open letting in the setting sun was, of course, 5A's.
The slightly west flight path means that the winter sun is pointing DIRECTLY into the cabin...And I mean DIRECTLY. For over a half-hour, my seatmate (a stranger) and I literally had to hold our hands up and shield our eyes. The F/A herself saw this and without prompting, very politely asked 5A to lower the shade, even a bit...
The slightly west flight path means that the winter sun is pointing DIRECTLY into the cabin...And I mean DIRECTLY. For over a half-hour, my seatmate (a stranger) and I literally had to hold our hands up and shield our eyes. The F/A herself saw this and without prompting, very politely asked 5A to lower the shade, even a bit...
#127
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That would be interesting to know for sure! Even despite my claustrophobia/aerophobia/anxiety requiring me to often have my window shade up, I'm obviously going to consider closing it if there's a shine/glare that would disturb the cabin OR I'm notified that I'm bothering other passengers because of it. That's just out of common decency and respect...
And since there seems to be more unruly/rude passengers by the day, I'd suggest to airlines in general to have a reprimand in order, as a way to keep some form of air-etiquette. I mean, it shouldn't result in a No-Fly list or anything, but should be enough warning to prompt them to not do it again UNLESS there's a valid excuse for it (such as my own personal reasons above).
And since there seems to be more unruly/rude passengers by the day, I'd suggest to airlines in general to have a reprimand in order, as a way to keep some form of air-etiquette. I mean, it shouldn't result in a No-Fly list or anything, but should be enough warning to prompt them to not do it again UNLESS there's a valid excuse for it (such as my own personal reasons above).
#128
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I knew it seemed odd.
I probably should apologize to the older couple sitting across the aisle.
#129
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They can BELIEVE that they can. Sometimes belief is all it takes to cause a problem.
#130
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So, based on some responses, FAs can do what they want... if you don't want sun in your eyes, book early and book the window, otherwise, rely on the compassion of your fellow traveler....
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 17, 2019 at 1:56 am Reason: vuglar comment removed
#131
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On Turkish, they actually close everybody's window shades when they make the beds. If somebody opens when the sun is up, they will come over quickly and close it. I appreciate this on their long haul flights.
#132
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That sounds better than Air France, where they might violently slam the window shade down and stare at you like your kindergarten teacher after you spilled paint on the floor.
#133
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... this guy is staring out that window as if the miracle of aviation was bestowed upon mankind just this morning, ... this dope is gaping at every cloud like he’s the third ... Wright brother
Here is a suggestion from a fellow claustrophobic passenger: DON'T pick the window seat. Being right next to the fuselage, as well has having the overhead bin right above you, makes the claustrophobia worse. Especially on the long-hauls where the sleeping issue is most prevalent, they are most likely to be on twin-aisle aircraft. Pick a seat in the middle section on the aisle, and you'll feel far less cramped, constrained, and anxious than if you sit at the window.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 22, 2019 at 10:11 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#134
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This is a topic that should be consolidated under "Window Shades UP or DOWN?". With more than 133 replies in this thread in just over a week it's definitely a popular debate, likely because the views are so polar.
The only semi-helpful addition might be a poll, although judging by the likes received in post #2 vs. post #3 it might be clear where the poll results might potentially end up.
Not sure that is universally applicable. Pretty sure that's a very individual preference based on many factors, not the least whether the claustrophobia is coupled with some other phobias.
The only semi-helpful addition might be a poll, although judging by the likes received in post #2 vs. post #3 it might be clear where the poll results might potentially end up.
Not sure that is universally applicable. Pretty sure that's a very individual preference based on many factors, not the least whether the claustrophobia is coupled with some other phobias.
#135
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Window passengers control the shades, aisle passengers control aisle access. Does that sounds like a fair deal?
I mean, if the window-shade-up crowd thinks that "use an eye shade if you don't sit at a window and want darkness" is a valid point, so is "I don't want to get up so you should wear a diaper if you don't sit at the aisle and need to do a #1 or #2 ".
(Apologies to the middle seat crowd who gets screwed twice...)
I mean, if the window-shade-up crowd thinks that "use an eye shade if you don't sit at a window and want darkness" is a valid point, so is "I don't want to get up so you should wear a diaper if you don't sit at the aisle and need to do a #1 or #2 ".
(Apologies to the middle seat crowd who gets screwed twice...)
Last edited by GFrye; Feb 20, 2019 at 10:00 am