UA Edition: Window shades up? Who controls / decides?
Feb 20, 2019, 9:45 am
#136
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
I prefer not to use headphones, and am a bit hard of hearing. Can I watch movies on my laptop with the sound turned all the way up, including during portions of the flight when most people are trying to sleep? If that bothers anyone, they can use the airline-provided earplugs in the amenity kits. That's what they're there for.
Oct 27, 2019, 6:18 am
#137
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 131
Flight attendant announcement: "Please put the window shades dow down so we can see any emergency messages on the in-flight-entertainment"
Last edited by Resonant Programmer; Oct 27, 2019 at 11:18 am Reason: strike typo
Oct 27, 2019, 10:45 am
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Oct 27, 2019, 4:47 pm
#140
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
Oct 27, 2019, 9:05 pm
#142
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
I am not sure I ever told anyone this story here. I was with the family SFO/PEK about 3 or 4 years ago. 744, in the bubble, and as always, everyone goes right to sleep after the meals. This is a 12 hour flight and my kiddo was 8sih at the time. She had been doing just great and had flown long halls many times with me, but she finally got a little bored and sheepishly kept opening up her window because, like most 8year old wanted to look out the window as we were crossing Alaska, but knew enough from traveling with me, to know some people do not like that.
She and the misses were in the left two seats (3 what were those E and F or G and H?) I was in 2 A, cranky guy in B, the guy next to me gets up and goes over to scold her. "you know that is not funny little girl, everyone here is trying to sleep, blah, blah, blah, cranky, whiney, self-absorbed, pr**k!" Comes back and says to me, "the nerve of some people." I say, yeah, "imagine why her dad, is not saying anything. Letting a kid and woman fly like that up here" He goes on about how much of a deadbeat dad (ME) must be. Right as kid, on cue, sits up, turns around and says, "Hi daddy, I love you, I'm sorry."
As he tried to figure out if cowardice or bully would be the right play here, I nicely handed him his amenity kit (Read: forcefully put it in my hand and slammed it into his chest) and said, "So if you look in there, there is a f**king eye mask for a reason. They also have earplugs for kids that are loud, or if one is just anti-social jerk. Second, you speak to anyone in my family the rest of the flight, I'll knock your *ss out right in that chair. Now have a nice remainder of your flight." He waited about 30 minutes very awkwardly until he got up and went to talk to the FA. I was well ready to explain myself and probably pull a DYKWIA if questioned about it. She escorted him downstairs and from what they told me later, while also noting that the guy was a jerk, that they relocated him, somewhere to the back of the plane where there was an open row.
I have always noted that on those long hauls, the FA prefer that everyone just sleep anyways. Personally, if I pick the window seat and wish to look out the window, that is my god given right. I'll be courteous of others and not openly or contemptuously try to p*ss them off, but hey, sometimes, you just gotta stand up to flight bullies.
She and the misses were in the left two seats (3 what were those E and F or G and H?) I was in 2 A, cranky guy in B, the guy next to me gets up and goes over to scold her. "you know that is not funny little girl, everyone here is trying to sleep, blah, blah, blah, cranky, whiney, self-absorbed, pr**k!" Comes back and says to me, "the nerve of some people." I say, yeah, "imagine why her dad, is not saying anything. Letting a kid and woman fly like that up here" He goes on about how much of a deadbeat dad (ME) must be. Right as kid, on cue, sits up, turns around and says, "Hi daddy, I love you, I'm sorry."
As he tried to figure out if cowardice or bully would be the right play here, I nicely handed him his amenity kit (Read: forcefully put it in my hand and slammed it into his chest) and said, "So if you look in there, there is a f**king eye mask for a reason. They also have earplugs for kids that are loud, or if one is just anti-social jerk. Second, you speak to anyone in my family the rest of the flight, I'll knock your *ss out right in that chair. Now have a nice remainder of your flight." He waited about 30 minutes very awkwardly until he got up and went to talk to the FA. I was well ready to explain myself and probably pull a DYKWIA if questioned about it. She escorted him downstairs and from what they told me later, while also noting that the guy was a jerk, that they relocated him, somewhere to the back of the plane where there was an open row.
I have always noted that on those long hauls, the FA prefer that everyone just sleep anyways. Personally, if I pick the window seat and wish to look out the window, that is my god given right. I'll be courteous of others and not openly or contemptuously try to p*ss them off, but hey, sometimes, you just gotta stand up to flight bullies.
Oct 27, 2019, 9:42 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,884
I am not sure I ever told anyone this story here. I was with the family SFO/PEK about 3 or 4 years ago. 744, in the bubble, and as always, everyone goes right to sleep after the meals. This is a 12 hour flight and my kiddo was 8sih at the time. She had been doing just great and had flown long halls many times with me, but she finally got a little bored and sheepishly kept opening up her window because, like most 8year old wanted to look out the window as we were crossing Alaska, but knew enough from traveling with me, to know some people do not like that.
She and the misses were in the left two seats (3 what were those E and F or G and H?) I was in 2 A, cranky guy in B, the guy next to me gets up and goes over to scold her. "you know that is not funny little girl, everyone here is trying to sleep, blah, blah, blah, cranky, whiney, self-absorbed, pr**k!" Comes back and says to me, "the nerve of some people." I say, yeah, "imagine why her dad, is not saying anything. Letting a kid and woman fly like that up here" He goes on about how much of a deadbeat dad (ME) must be. Right as kid, on cue, sits up, turns around and says, "Hi daddy, I love you, I'm sorry."
As he tried to figure out if cowardice or bully would be the right play here, I nicely handed him his amenity kit (Read: forcefully put it in my hand and slammed it into his chest) and said, "So if you look in there, there is a f**king eye mask for a reason. They also have earplugs for kids that are loud, or if one is just anti-social jerk. Second, you speak to anyone in my family the rest of the flight, I'll knock your *ss out right in that chair. Now have a nice remainder of your flight." He waited about 30 minutes very awkwardly until he got up and went to talk to the FA. I was well ready to explain myself and probably pull a DYKWIA if questioned about it. She escorted him downstairs and from what they told me later, while also noting that the guy was a jerk, that they relocated him, somewhere to the back of the plane where there was an open row.
I have always noted that on those long hauls, the FA prefer that everyone just sleep anyways. Personally, if I pick the window seat and wish to look out the window, that is my god given right. I'll be courteous of others and not openly or contemptuously try to p*ss them off, but hey, sometimes, you just gotta stand up to flight bullies.
She and the misses were in the left two seats (3 what were those E and F or G and H?) I was in 2 A, cranky guy in B, the guy next to me gets up and goes over to scold her. "you know that is not funny little girl, everyone here is trying to sleep, blah, blah, blah, cranky, whiney, self-absorbed, pr**k!" Comes back and says to me, "the nerve of some people." I say, yeah, "imagine why her dad, is not saying anything. Letting a kid and woman fly like that up here" He goes on about how much of a deadbeat dad (ME) must be. Right as kid, on cue, sits up, turns around and says, "Hi daddy, I love you, I'm sorry."
As he tried to figure out if cowardice or bully would be the right play here, I nicely handed him his amenity kit (Read: forcefully put it in my hand and slammed it into his chest) and said, "So if you look in there, there is a f**king eye mask for a reason. They also have earplugs for kids that are loud, or if one is just anti-social jerk. Second, you speak to anyone in my family the rest of the flight, I'll knock your *ss out right in that chair. Now have a nice remainder of your flight." He waited about 30 minutes very awkwardly until he got up and went to talk to the FA. I was well ready to explain myself and probably pull a DYKWIA if questioned about it. She escorted him downstairs and from what they told me later, while also noting that the guy was a jerk, that they relocated him, somewhere to the back of the plane where there was an open row.
I have always noted that on those long hauls, the FA prefer that everyone just sleep anyways. Personally, if I pick the window seat and wish to look out the window, that is my god given right. I'll be courteous of others and not openly or contemptuously try to p*ss them off, but hey, sometimes, you just gotta stand up to flight bullies.
Oct 27, 2019, 10:37 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,801
I’m a bit amazed you’re bragging about this. That’s a pretty violent and extremely threatening reaction to someone politely (and rightfully IMO) scolding your child. If she knew she shouldn’t be doing that with the window, why was she? Why didn’t you or mom stop her? Because she was bored??? Just Wow.
Oct 27, 2019, 11:48 pm
#145
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I nicely handed him his amenity kit (Read: forcefully put it in my hand and slammed it into his chest) and said, "So if you look in there, there is a f**king eye mask for a reason. They also have earplugs for kids that are loud, or if one is just anti-social jerk. Second, you speak to anyone in my family the rest of the flight, I'll knock your *ss out right in that chair. Now have a nice remainder of your flight."
Oct 28, 2019, 5:02 am
#146
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Had this guy sitting next to me a few weeks ago in first class. He said he was a GS and said one of the perks of MP is the higher status person gets to decide. I laughed at the remark and ignored him.
But in almost all cases if a person ask or see the sun is bothering them I will close it.
But in almost all cases if a person ask or see the sun is bothering them I will close it.
Oct 28, 2019, 7:22 am
#147
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I agree with you until the last part of the story. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were just angered at the unknowing personal attach on your fatherhood and assume that in any other situation, you would have been more calm regardless of how much of a jerk the other guy was.
Windows and eye masks exist for a reason but we have to get along with each other too. Personally, if I'm sitting by the window, I believe it is my right to keep the window open or closed. Light exposure has the greatest effect on jet lag so it is important for me to adjust to the destination timezone as soon as possible since my trips are usually pretty short. People who think its too bright can use an eyemask. People who think its too dark don't have any othe roption. Typically, I'll usually leave it open til the end of the meal service, then open it again when breakfast begins. If for the entire duration of the flight, it is daytime in the destination timezone or especially n both the origin and destination, I will probably leave it open for the entire flight. Though, if I look around and I'm the only one with it open, I'll close mine too. On a domestic flight, its always open except if there is direct sunlight on the screen or a person.
Windows and eye masks exist for a reason but we have to get along with each other too. Personally, if I'm sitting by the window, I believe it is my right to keep the window open or closed. Light exposure has the greatest effect on jet lag so it is important for me to adjust to the destination timezone as soon as possible since my trips are usually pretty short. People who think its too bright can use an eyemask. People who think its too dark don't have any othe roption. Typically, I'll usually leave it open til the end of the meal service, then open it again when breakfast begins. If for the entire duration of the flight, it is daytime in the destination timezone or especially n both the origin and destination, I will probably leave it open for the entire flight. Though, if I look around and I'm the only one with it open, I'll close mine too. On a domestic flight, its always open except if there is direct sunlight on the screen or a person.
Oct 28, 2019, 7:38 am
#148
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lovely Tahoe City
Programs: UA 1mm Gold. Former 1K and GS.
Posts: 951
Recent flight from TLV-SFO (Note departs 00:55 and arrives 05:00) the FA was almost insistent I closed my window shades.
I actually had to push back to keep them open on this all night flight with zero chance of any sunlight barring the unforeseen.
I like to check for the northern lights as I fade in and out of sleep.
I actually had to push back to keep them open on this all night flight with zero chance of any sunlight barring the unforeseen.
I like to check for the northern lights as I fade in and out of sleep.
Oct 28, 2019, 8:28 am
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Windows and eye masks exist for a reason but we have to get along with each other too. Personally, if I'm sitting by the window, I believe it is my right to keep the window open or closed. Light exposure has the greatest effect on jet lag so it is important for me to adjust to the destination timezone as soon as possible since my trips are usually pretty short. People who think its too bright can use an eyemask. People who think its too dark don't have any othe roption. Typically, I'll usually leave it open til the end of the meal service, then open it again when breakfast begins. If for the entire duration of the flight, it is daytime in the destination timezone or especially n both the origin and destination, I will probably leave it open for the entire flight. Though, if I look around and I'm the only one with it open, I'll close mine too. On a domestic flight, its always open except if there is direct sunlight on the screen or a person.
Oct 28, 2019, 8:42 am
#150
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
What difference does it make if window shades are up or down on an entirely night flight? I would think this type of flights are the only ones that are conflict free and FA should not bother asking customers to close window shades.