wetrat0

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

1P

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.

mapleg

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?

mapleg

On certain airlines they are known to 100% lock the windows on a 787/789

daisyatl

But what that person does with the window affects more than just that person in the window seat. And often times, the way the light hits, it could not cause a glare for the person in the window seat but could for someone else. As someone noted above, if that person is awake, what option to they have? To put on an eye mask and sleep when they want to watch a movie or work on computer?

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.

Proudelitist

Yes, and there is a good reason they like to tell you to put them up for landing and takeoff. In the event of an emergency, that shade needs to be open so you can see the situation outside...fire? Smoke? During an evac it's important to NOT open the door on the side that is on fire or smoke filled where possible.

And of course, in the event of a crash it helps rescue workers to see inside.

wetrat0

Yes, and I would do the same thing. But this is about people insisting that ALL the shades be closed for the ENTIRE flight, not just the specific shades where the sun is coming directly in. A lot of what people are objecting to isn't direct sun but rather the presence of any natural light in the cabin.

davie355

pushmyredbutton

Daytime AMS-EWR flight; I was that guy. It was late morning, and having a pitch black cabin doesn't really help with adjusting to the time.
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

wolfie_cr

do you have a list of these control weirdos so I can actively avoid them.

etiene

daisyatl

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.

CIT85

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.

SS255

mapleg

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.