wedgetail737 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5524 posts, RR: 5 Posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 23095 times:
I flew SQ from ICN-SFO a few days ago and I found it odd that the crew were insistent that the window shades be closed during the vast majority of the flight across the pond. Anybody know why? Do other airlines require this?
CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2694 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 23120 times:
In my experience, many asian airlines do on long-haul. The only reason I can think of is to keep light (including direct sunlight) low for passengers wanting to sleep.
Sometimes I'm glad they do this, as some sectors (like 1 am departures) are overnight and I want to sleep, but there are only a few hours of night time, so having shades drawn down for the flight is good.
But there are other day flights over wonderful terrain, which I would like to see. So, it's not great always.
Concordski From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 22965 times:
While not the actual flight portion, often the flight attendants will ask passengers to close the windows before deplaning to keep the plane cool inside if the plane is parked somewhere hot. I was in SJU a couple of weeks ago and recall them asking us to lower the window shades.
CXB77L From Australia, joined Feb 2009, 2179 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 22945 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Oh, they do that to cut costs ... not having to offer eye masks as part of their amenity kits for all passengers ...
If everybody got a set of eye masks we wouldn't have this problem. As far as I'm concerned I wish window shades on planes never existed. There's so much to see at 36,000ft in the air. Also, imagine the weight savings if all window shades were removed.
cygnuschicago From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 758 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 22532 times:
The two reasons are pretty clear:
- Ability to watch movies / work without glare
- When flying with the sun streaming directly in, that it doesn't cause passenger discomfort
Now, you could argue that is inconvenient to those that want to look out the window. However, in a typicaly 8-abreast configuration, about a quarter of passengers will be able to clearly see out the window. Of that quarter, only a handful will probably want to do so for most of the flight. This is thus one of those cases where the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
For the anutters, the 787 should in theory largely solve this problem.
If you cannot do the math, your opinion means squat!
GT4EZY From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2007, 1724 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 21754 times:
Quoting dstc47 (Reply 6): And the more passengers that are asleep, the less work for the crew!
Not exactly. Passengers want to sleep on flights and they want the lights down and they want the cabin to be as condusive, as possible, to sleep. If people want anything, they will want regardless and so it doesn't make any difference to the work load. I think your view comes from the same school of thought that the heating is cranked up to send everyone off.
usdcaguy From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 751 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 20926 times:
Personally, I like flying with the shades open when flying. I cannot sleep in coach, and if the shades are closed, I get bored very, very quickly. I much prefer having direct sunlight to read or watch the terrain. If someone has the shade open during the few minutes I try to sleep, it usually doesn't bother me.
TCASAlert From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 20666 times:
Quoting dstc47 (Reply 6): And the more passengers that are asleep, the less work for the crew!
Exactly.
It is unfair to force people to close their window blinds. I have paid for a window seat, therefore I will bloody well reserve the right to look out of it when I want to. If you want to sleep, put on an eye mask or put a blanket over your head to keep out the light.
I don't expect a train to turn off all its lights overnight and shut the blinds just so I can get some sleep, so why should I on an aircraft?
I always keep a blanket over my head when I open my window blind when everyone elses is closed but nothing will stop me wanting to look at some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the only time in life I can ever expect to see the mountains of Afghanistan or the Himalayas.
ABQopsHP From United States of America, joined May 2006, 832 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 19950 times:
Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 11):
Personally, I like flying with the shades open when flying. I cannot sleep in coach, and if the shades are closed, I get bored very, very quickly. I much prefer having direct sunlight to read or watch the terrain. If someone has the shade open during the few minutes I try to sleep, it usually doesn't bother me.
ME TOO! On the rare occasion that I get an F or C-class seat then Im able to fall asleep. But the coach seats are not comfortable, especially on CO. (no lumbar support) Therefore I prefer to look out the window, and see whats going on out there. Granted long haul flights over water is different, and I would likely comply, until we ended up over Iceland or Greenland, then up the shades go, so I can look out. My latest trip from IAH-LAS had me in an aisle seat in Y on a 753. The guy on the window, kept the shade down for the bulk of the flight however the fellow in the row behind had his up, so I stretched my neck to be able to see White Sands NM and later the Grand Canyon. OK so Ive seen them a dozen times, but its always nice to look anyway.
1stfl94 From United Kingdom, joined May 2006, 1450 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 19838 times:
It does annoy me when the shades on day flights as it makes the cabin very claustrophobic and when FAs insist that you shut the blind to avoid glare on the screens when their showing a rubbish film!
On night flights I do agree with keeping them closed, or at least doing the blanket method!
Babybus From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 3512 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 19719 times:
Quoting wedgetail737 (Thread starter): I found it odd that the crew were insistent that the window shades be closed during the vast majority of the flight across the pond. Anybody know why? Do other airlines require this?
This is one of those things where the goal-post keeps changing. I think no one has an answer.
If it was all about passengers watching movies then the entire aircraft would have to have their window shades down. If you asked me sitting in my first class seat to shut my blind I know my answer already.
On a LHR-HKG flight we were told in the cabin announcements it was to alleviate jet-lag.
On a CDG-NRT flight we were told it was just airline policy as the flight would pass through an entire day while people were sleeping.
In the 1980s we were told it was due to copyright issues on the movies. It was the film distribution companies that required the blinds to be shut.
and with that..cabin crew, seats for landing please.
LAXspotr From United Arab Emirates, joined May 2005, 81 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 19550 times:
Quoting dstc47 (Reply 6): And the more passengers that are asleep, the less work for the crew!
Haha! We'd like to think so!
Quoting Mortyman (Reply 12): Why do airlines dim the lights during take off and landings ?
Simple -- for the same reason window shades MUST be fully open for landing/takeoff: to maximize ease of visibility. This is the industry standard (atleast within my company).
Throughout aviation history there have been numerous instances in which PASSENGERS have informed cabin crew of oddities they've spotted or heard from the wing, engine, etc...
Passenger assistance can sometimes be invaluable, even if you're on a plane like mine which is operated by a crew consisting of 30 safety professionals
tonystan From Ireland, joined Jan 2006, 1171 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 19085 times:
Some people really are selfish when it comes to this. Just cos you can sleep with the lights on (or blinds open) doesn mean others can.
At my airline its pretty much only night time sectors that we ask for the blinds to be lowered. Especially in summer time when we know darkness wont last very long. And believe me, when one selfish clutz does open that blind at 5am and brightens up the whole cabin we do start to get a HUGE number of complaints from passengesr suddenly awoken from their rest. I have no problem asking the passenger again to close the blind and explaining why! However on a daylight east to west I certainly wouldnt insist on it yet I do find the majority of passengers do anyway without even being asked!
AY-MD11 From Finland, joined Feb 2001, 443 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 18890 times:
Quoting LAXspotr (Reply 17): Throughout aviation history there have been numerous instances in which PASSENGERS have informed cabin crew of oddities they've spotted or heard from the wing, engine, etc...
Reminds me back in 1989 when me and my mom were flying jfk-hel the Pan Am A310 was leaking fuel from the wing
and i told about it to the crew and it took several hours to fix. Sprayed like a fountain and some pax told us it's normal..
kurbitur From Iceland, joined May 2010, 66 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 18486 times:
I stare out of the window my whole flight - no matter if there is day or night
I have canceled my flight because no window-seat was available as I ordered and ask the airline to transfer me to the next flight, later in the day or the next day
Sitting in the middle-seat or by the aisle is something I could never do
So.... if the crew would ask me to put down the shades... we would have a problem
PC12Fan From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 2236 posts, RR: 5 Reply 23, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 18363 times:
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 3): There's so much to see at 36,000ft in the air.
Exactly. I can see any movie virtually anywhere and anytime I want on the ground. Few of us get to see those views out the window at 30,000+ feet. Or any altitude for that matter.
Just when I think you've said the stupidest thing ever, you keep talkin'!
cometorbit From United Kingdom, joined May 2008, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 18004 times:
As an astronomer, there's nothing more interesting than watching the night sky change on a long flight, especially if it crosses the equator and lets you see constellations in the "other" hemisphere. Over high northern latitudes you can often see the aurora, which you might never have the chance to see otherwise. I shut the shade when asked to, but open it again whenever I feel like it. At night, who cares, it's dark outside.
Crossing Africa at night in moonlight is just fantastic. Better than any film.
25 teme82: I'll remember that when I fly LHR-JNB in Feb
26 wedgetail737: I just found it interesting that SQ wanted the shades down from ICN-SFO. But during the flight from SFO-ICN. Granted the flight over to Korea was pret
27 777STL: I've also heard that if you're forced to evacuate at night, your eyes are already adjusted for the darkness outside. Indeed. We just had a thread sim
28 modesto2: When I was younger, I always looked out the window and wanted the shades open. In my "old" age, I actually prefer the shades to be closed. I find the
29 laxboeingman: It could also be to save fuel. If the shades are down, the cabin is cooler and people do not need to use the air conditioner as much, which means less
30 whiteguy: I don't have a problem with it. You have to remember just because the sun isn't bothering you sitting by the window, it could be directly in the eyes
31 ikramerica: tell that to the selfish few Indeed. I like using the word indeed. But I agree that the F/As should allow for more time for open shades. Requiring th
32 GT4EZY: Absolutely. Each and everyone of us on here can appreciate why you like to look out of the window. However, you have to look at it from everyones poi
33 TCASAlert: We don't all live in the "Democratic People's Republic of America".
34 BC77008: But, but.... I'M A SILVER PLATINUM ELITE!!!
35 Flaps: That works both ways. How many window people are inconvenienced because someone "has" to sleep? I will agree though that people do suck. Thats why I
36 cygnuschicago: Not really. Your seat purchase gives you travel from A to B. It doesn't give you unilateral control of anything. Unfortunately, we are living in the
37 czbbflier: Had to watch for Russian spy planes that could peer through unblinded airliner windows, I suppose. We wouldn't want them to get their hands on a pira
38 cytz_pilot: I'm wondering if on nighttime sectors when passengers would generally be trying to sleep, is there any announcement made about the use of reading lig
39 threepoint: I didn't know my father was on this forum. Many a debate have we had over this issue, and you have mimicked his exact language. He flies transatlanti
40 Zkpilot: It is actually true. Particularly if it allows people to get sleep in-time with the time zone you are travelling to. A lot of flights pass through HK
41 ghifty: My response to that? Just because you can't sleep with the lights on, doesn't mean everyone else can't. Mind you, I don't see how it bothers people i
42 Flaps: Ok. Try this on for size: The person in 10A enjoys looking out the window at night. It's peaceful and relaxing and helps them to think and plan. The
43 NCFC99: I find it hard to understand those people who want the shades closed think they are more important than those people who want the shades open. It see
44 GT4EZY: Do a straw poll of a aircraft full of pax on a long haul night flight and the majority would like the airline to take steps to make the cabin more co
45 hiflyer: Several reasons 1 employees look younger in the dark 2 can't see the Keebler elvers on the wing 3 forces you to watch the tv and the ads 4 on the grou
46 IMissPiedmont: They can do that on the ground. I do also, I was asked one time to lower the shade for a movie. I told the stewardess that wasn't going to happen and
47 NCFC99: I'm not trying to argue if an airlines policy is correct or not, or if the majority want to sleep, i didn't say that I would disregard the crew if as
48 tonystan: Wow, Oh dear, What can I say? I must ask and apologies if I sound rude but do you suffer from Aspergers syndrome because NONE of what you write in th
49 ikramerica: Which means you didn't pay for the window itself, you paid for a seat by the window. Or as I pointed out in the last thread, why can't I stop you, as
50 ghifty: Well, that was a bit over-kill don't you think? Everytime I fly there's at least one person with "their" window open, while all the others are closed
51 soyuz: Wow, such divergent and strong opinions! I must say that the cynic in me does feel that the shades are asked to be lowered so the crew have less to do
52 ikramerica: Well, do you know how wide it's open and if it's a window blocked by 1/2 a seat or a "fully exposed" window? I know that I do like to take peaks outs
53 Viscount724: I disagree. One open window makes the entire cabin much brighter, especially when it's on the side facing the sun. If people would just use common co
54 prebennorholm: MOL got away with the two most irritating things in coach, window shades and reclining seats. That is very likely a major reason for him making money
55 tonystan: Far from it otherwise I wouldnt be using a 747 as an example! But then, Im sure you are not trying to be offensive to people who do work for FR now a
56 unattendedbag: Why didn't you ask?[Edited 2011-10-30 16:29:02]
57 PC12Fan: Yes, but in effect, you are on public transportation. You want more seclusion? I got one word for ya - Charter.
58 BC77008: Wow... just wow! Oh my God, I am like sooooo sorry I seemed to have spilled coffee all over your laptop! Oh my, here let me help you clean it up...
59 GT4EZY: I'll remind you of that next time you bleat on about reduced onboard service and baggage charges. It's public transportation.
61 gr8circle: I've experienced this "pull down your shades" thing on 9W and EY, flying from
62 CXB77L: Why don't airlines provide eye masks for all passengers as part of their on board amenity kits? That way, they make the sleeping passengers more comf
63 PC12Fan: Don't have to remind me of that. I already know it's public transportation. There are plenty of things to whine about.[Edited 2011-10-30 18:59:38]
64 Quokka: There is a simple solution: have aircraft without windows for passengers. They really are not needed, after all cargo planes don't have windows along
65 triple7man: I often fly AA between the US and Japan. The f/a's usually do ask us to close the window shades so people can sleep. I am like many of you, I like to
66 ghifty: I suppose that's true. Personally, an open window on an otherwise dark plane has never bugged me.. but I guess I'm a special case. I always assumed t
67 tugger: Has anyone ever developed a tint shade that can be fit on a window? I can think of at least one simple way to make one that would fit any aircraft win
68 L1011: I recently flew on a KLM MD-11 from Montreal to Amsterdam and an American Airlines 767 from DFW to Santiago. Both were night flights, and they didn't
69 ikramerica: Yes, you are on a form public transport, but privately owned, with a set of rules applicable to your contract and regulations laid out by law, which
70 heathrow: Had this on a speedbird 747 when we realised the air conditioning was not working. Cooled down the aircraft a considerable amount, although still not
72 Superfly: I have no problem with this. In fact, I wish lights stayed off during night flights. I hate it when someone near me wants to turn on the overhead lig
73 RWA380: CO Air Mike insisted the closing of window shades when we stopped in JON, security reasons. Flying HNL-MAJ on a 72S
74 CXB77L: Questioning people's maturity when their view differs from yours isn't very mature, is it? There's two sides to every story. Your view is that those
75 HAWK21M: True.Having a different view does not mean that the other person is wrong. A persons personality towards others is an important contributor to how th
76 meristem: Do airlines try to mimic the day/nighttime cycle of the arriving airport? One of the ways the body resets the circadian rhythm is by sunlight exposure
77 tdscanuck: Some do. One of the specific points of the 787 "mood lighting" technology was to allow them to sync up the light cycles to match the destination to h
78 bond007: It is hard to comprehend, yes, because most folks want to sleep, and for the flight/time, it's 'night' time. It's the same as I'd find it hard to com
79 9VSIO: Can the 787's window tint be controlled by the crew? Or are they only able to be individually controlled? That is to say, can the crew tint ALL the wi
80 Starlionblue: Yes. Yes, but the crew can override. Yes.
82 Geezer: [quote=Flaps,reply=35]I will agree though that people do suck. Thats why I like like living out the woods when not forced to be mingling among the mas
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There's so much to see at 36,000ft in the air. Also, imagine the weight savings if all window shades were removed.
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