Window Shades Open?
 

Curious -- when is it permissible to keep your window shade open. I'm a big aviation buff, rarely watch the IFE and am not a big sleeper on domestic flights. Generally, I take the first flight out in the morning (except when in BOS, when I always take UA 179 back to SFO at 600p.) and work or read for the entire flight. I'm in F or C 80% of the time.

On international flights (a bunch coming up at the end of the month,) I generally keep the shade open for takeoff and landing. Otherwise, I pretty much follow the crowd. Usually, the shades go down in F and C fairly quickly on international flights (especially westbound day flights) and I follow suit.

I try to sit on the side of the plane where I can expect the least amount of direct sunlight. Going eastbound in the winter I sit on the left and switch to the right in the summer months. If the sun is shining directly through my window (usually at sunrise and sunset,) I lower my shade. I don't want anyone to go blind.

On domestic flights, I keep my shade at least halfway open the entire time. I think one of the enjoyments of flying is looking out the window watching the world go by -- especially when there is no cloud cover.

So here is what happened last week. I was on a short hop between LAX and SFO. It was Saturday and the flight departed at 8:20 a.m. I was in 6A on a 757, so the direct sunlight was coming from the other side of the plane. About 10 minutes into the flight, the woman sitting next to me demands (doesn't ask, doesn't say please) that I lower the window shade. I was very happy reading my book and looking out the window at the California coast. I replied, "I prefer not to." She said that the sun was bothering her and she wanted to "rest" for the balance of the 50 minute flight. She then proceeds to reach over me and slam the window shade shut. After I recovered from the initial shock, I opened the window shade and told her that if she wanted it closed, then she could reimburse me for my seat. I then suggested she move up to 3B, as the person in 3A had his shade shut. She apparently liked my advice because she moved, but not after calling me an A-hole.

To be honest, had she asked nicely, I would have at least shut the shade part way.

Notwithstanding her rudeness, is there a hard and fast rule about the window shades?

You were absolutely correct, especially on a short intra-California hop. The person in the window seat controls the window shade.

The policy you outlined earlier in your post pretty much matches what I do. The lady was wrong, to put it mildly. Glad you didn't put up with it.

I am not surprised that a woman who invaded the OP's personal space would also call him an a-hole. She sounds like the woman on a recent SJC-SNA flight. She tightly shoved a bag into the bin above the bulkhead of the an Americ Eagle baby jet, then proceeded to the back of the aircraft. I told her she really should move it. She made some comments, but eventually moved it to the back of the plane. Of course, she called me an a-hole before she was finished.

On the window question. It's under the control of the person sitting by the window. If people want to rest on a flight, and the light is an issue, they should bring a mask. If they want to control the window, then they need to get a window seat.

I think on such a short flight, it should not be a major problem.
On longer flights, I frequently feel after travelling several interantional legs in a short period of time in a different time zone than many other passengers.

At night segment - even so I would like to get light in my eyes to trigger my inner clock - I usually keep it closed.
There are usually shades in the galley / lavatory area where I can soak up some light for a few minutes.
If there is no direct sun shining in, I sometimes open about 25% to allow to look ouside without disturbing sleeping passengers.

And when sitting on an aisle seat, I have friendly asked my seat neighbour, if he/she would mind to open / close the shade a bit.

To summarize:
- it depends on situation
- friendly asking & some common sense...

Ding ding ding ding ding. We have a winner.

And now you all know why I always, always sit in the window seat.

Well done OP for not taking her BS!

Not to disagree with the lucky one, but you were absolutely correct, full stop.

Oh, here we go again.

Wasn't there just a long, drawn-out, and eventually closed thread about this?

Just be a human being and shut the window shade.

I agree with violist. The length of the segment is irrelevant.

Here's a recent thread with much discussion on this topic:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ing-movie.html

As this topic is not specific to United, I am going to close this thread now.

Thanks,

FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United Mileage Plus Forum