Gerry From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 241 posts, RR: 1 Posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1712 times:
It seems that Qantas and Virgin Blue on Australian domestic runs at least, require passengers to put blinds up just before landing. Is this required anywhere else and if so, why is that?
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19813 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1702 times:
Always helpful to be able to see outside the plane in an evacuation situation, so that if there's something nasty out one side (such as a fire), everyone knows that opening those exits would be a bad idea. Also, if it's bright outside and all the shades are down, it makes the transition once people leave the aircraft a lot harder (same reason why they dim the cabin lights for takeoff and landing at night).
That, and the fact that windows are for looking out of.
-Mir
7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day
S5FA170 From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 534 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1611 times:
At Republic, our manual used to say "we recommend all window-shades be open for taxi, take-off and landing."
With out new revision, it now says "Prior to every taxi, take-off or landing, flight attendants must ensure all window shades are fully open."
As mentioned above, it is a safety issue. In the event an evacuation becomes necessary, those of us inside the cabin can assess conditions outside the cabin (smoke, fire, debris, water) and people outside the cabin can assess conditions inside (smoke in the cabin, flames, people, etc.)
I get asked this questions at least once a trip and once it is explained it usually makes sense. Its not a FAR (otherwise all airlines would require them to be open) so every airline is free to enforce their policy on this subject. I think the only FAR pertaining to this would be about exit rows, which my aircraft doesn't have, so I'm not sure exactly.
IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4738 posts, RR: 25 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1601 times:
I heard the request this week on CO when the final approach to landing PA was made...."please raise your window shades for landing"...and that was the first I'd heard that PA before but I sure like it.
Quoting Mir (Reply 1): and the fact that windows are for looking out of.
Thank you!
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3191 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1447 times:
but I do not like it when they brighten all the cabin lights and leave them on completely for landing and arrival at night. Its so hard to see outside and I practically think its like having shades down. It should be considered dangerous, cause we need to use our night vision and be aware of our surroundings when landing, thus the cabin should always be dimmed on arrival. they brighten them to pick up trash and check seatbelts, but some flights I have been on, just left them on all the way to the gate.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
IAirAllie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1431 times:
Quoting Malaysia (Reply 5): but I do not like it when they brighten all the cabin lights and leave them on completely for landing and arrival at night
Most airlines go by the have the interior lights appoximate the outside lighting for landing and take off. However some emergency light strips need to be charged with the lights on full bright in order to work.
My airline requires shades up for taxi, take off and landing so you can see any hazzards outside if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Travatl From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2172 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1397 times:
My carrier has gone back and for the with the shades issue over the years. No policy, then all up, then only up in exit rows, then all up again, the no policy, etc. etc... Currently no requirement for window shades. However, all lights to off/dim for takeoff and landing.
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3191 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1376 times:
Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 6): My airline requires shades up for taxi, take off and landing so you can see any hazzards outside if an evacuation becomes necessary.
But I cant see any hazzards outside if the cabin is fully lit and its pitch black outside. I would need an emergency blanket to look out window for impending ground impact. (but the fleece blankets were $10? at Independence Air )
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
IflyKPDX From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 286 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1368 times:
Semi-related question, but on the 787 will the way the windows are "blacked out" have an effect during emergency situations? I'm assuming here that once the power is cut to the system the window stays in whatever state it was in before the power was out. If anyone knows how it all works, any info would be appreciated!
KPWMSpotter From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 334 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (6 years 3 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1155 times:
Quoting IflyKPDX (Reply 9): Semi-related question, but on the 787 will the way the windows are "blacked out" have an effect during emergency situations? I'm assuming here that once the power is cut to the system the window stays in whatever state it was in before the power was out. If anyone knows how it all works, any info would be appreciated!
From what I understand of the 787 windows, the glass in its normal state is transparent. When an electric current is run through it, it will dim (much like the transitions lenses for glasses, although those dim under UV light). I can't find any texts online to back this up though, as I can't find exactly what the technology the 787 windows will be using is.
One benefit of this technology that I know of is that the FAs will be able to control all of the windows from a central location. Even if the glass was a problem, they could just flip a switch and open all the windows anyways. (maybe even safer than relying on the pax themselves to do it!)
IAirAllie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (6 years 3 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1029 times:
Quoting Malaysia (Reply 8): But I cant see any hazzards outside if the cabin is fully lit and its pitch black outside. I would need an emergency blanket to look out window for impending ground impact
Most airlines require that the cabin lights approximate the exterior condition for landing, as I mentioned in the same post you quoted. That means dim for at night brighter during the day. Trust me you will see flames out that window regardless of the interior lighting and time of day. In addition in emergency mode the the only lighting present in the cabin are the emergency path and exit lights, all other cabin lights are out.
Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 11): Semi-related question, but on the 787 will the way the windows are "blacked out" have an effect during emergency situations? I'm assuming here that once the power is cut to the system the window stays in whatever state it was in before the power was out. If anyone knows how it all works, any info would be appreciated!
Ok to reveal just what a geek I am. I've read a few articles about this type of window. The way it works is basically thus. It goes opaque when an electric current is applied. I belive they regain transparency as soon as the current is removed. So in an emergency the current would probably automatically be disrupted. I think that it is likely that the windows will be in clear mode for the phases of flight most likely to result in an emergency.
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