Effective 1 Feb 20: shades must be open and outlet use ok for taxi, takeoff & landing
Jan 22, 2020, 12:12 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2013
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FA's won't like this new rule: it means more work for them!
IIRC all window shades are oftentimes closed during hot, sunny weather to reduce the plane's interior heating up, as the plane just sits there on the ground.
Now the FAs not only have to make the announcement to open the shades, but also have to go down the aisles and open (or shut) them themselves, if there's no one sitting in a row.
I already foresee them demanding a service or service item be cut, to avoid them from getting overworked.
IIRC all window shades are oftentimes closed during hot, sunny weather to reduce the plane's interior heating up, as the plane just sits there on the ground.
Now the FAs not only have to make the announcement to open the shades, but also have to go down the aisles and open (or shut) them themselves, if there's no one sitting in a row.
I already foresee them demanding a service or service item be cut, to avoid them from getting overworked.
Jan 22, 2020, 12:14 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Posts: 152
I was on UA 869, January 19, the purser announced to have the window shade up during landing in Hong Kong. What a refreshing idea for UAL, finally catching up with the foreign carriers. However, no such instructions when took off from San Francisco.
Jan 22, 2020, 1:32 am
#33
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Hawaiian has been requiring open shades for takeoff and landing for as long as I can remember. Good safety move by UA. Noticed this on two of my recent UA flights.
Jan 22, 2020, 3:40 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 43
I always keep my shade up because I just love takeoff and landing - both the scenery and the amazingness of flight. I also can’t imagine why, if the plane seemed to be in an emergency, someone wouldn’t think to throw up their shade.
That said, I would guess in the case of most “emergencies” the shade up really just let’s you know how close you are to being engulfed in flames...
That said, I would guess in the case of most “emergencies” the shade up really just let’s you know how close you are to being engulfed in flames...
Jan 22, 2020, 4:03 am
#36
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
This probably also spells the official end of UA flight attendants even trying to enforce Airplane Mode. On my last flight, I watched my seat mate browse the web until his signal died as we were halfway into our takeoff climb. (I didn't bother telling him that it would probably reacquire a signal once we moved into the next cell).
They already have the chime that sounds when crossing 10k feet, it's how I know I can now slam my seat back to recline into the person behind me without the FAs making the announcement. (And pull my computer out since the wifi will finally be enabled).
Jan 22, 2020, 4:42 am
#37
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I admittedly don't lfy Untied, but they're FAs actually enforce airplane mode? And people actually care/expect others to turn their phone to airplane mode? I have't turned my phone to airplane mode in years, frequently browse the web & stream ATC well into the departure and never have any issues. When I'm sitting next to employees they seem quite content doing so as well.
I’m glad that you haven’t interfered with cockpit communications... yet.
Jan 22, 2020, 6:26 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
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it’s very common during Florida summers when the plane AC doesn’t really keep up well without an insane amount of energy consumption
Jan 22, 2020, 6:27 am
#39
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I guess with the windows open, now we can all see the tripping hazards, so it's no problem to leave plugs in.
Jan 22, 2020, 7:53 am
#40
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Jan 22, 2020, 7:58 am
#41
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Jan 22, 2020, 8:07 am
#42
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Happy about the shades up requirement, not so happy about allowing devices to be plugged in. It's hard enough getting over the cables getting out from the window seat during normal flight. During an evacuation people are going to get hung up, especially as people are fumbling through the seat pocket looking for their phone before they evacuate.
Jan 22, 2020, 8:31 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2010
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After take off, the window shade position should revert to the preference of its owner - the window seat occupant. I nearly always take aisle seats and have at times asked the window occupant if they would lower the shade, but if they said, no, that's fine. People can have multiple reasons for wanting the shade up (medical, jet-lag adjustment, photography, etc.). If I really cared I would have booked a window seat.
Jan 22, 2020, 8:35 am
#44
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Happy about the shades up requirement, not so happy about allowing devices to be plugged in. It's hard enough getting over the cables getting out from the window seat during normal flight. During an evacuation people are going to get hung up, especially as people are fumbling through the seat pocket looking for their phone before they evacuate.
Jan 22, 2020, 8:39 am
#45
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