Years ago, the Flight Detective wrote a post about wanting to keep the window shade open while on a flight, even though the flight attendant said to close it. And it got me to thinking…it’s one thing for them to ask you to lower (or raise) your window shade, but can they actually FORCE you to do it?
There are some very good reasons why the flight attendants may ask you to keep your window shade open or closed. While the plane is loading and the motor is off, it can get pretty hot in the plane, especially during warmer weather. So if the window shades are down, it could potentially help with keeping the plane a couple of degrees cooler until takeoff. During takeoff and landing, especially at nighttime, the FAs want your eyes to be adjusted to the darkness so if, shall we say, an unfortunate event were to happen, your eyes would be able to see in the darkness that much quicker. On the other hand, open window shades also give the FAs a visualization of what’s happening outside the plane, which could be the first tip-off of an emergency. So there are lots of reasons why they may ask you to comply with keeping the window shade open or closed.
But do you HAVE to be compliant?
Well, let’s put it this way. There are currently no Federal Aviation Administration laws that state which way the plane’s window shades have to be during take-off and landing. And there’s nothing in the contract of carriage or even any fare rules for U.S. carriers that states you absolutely, positively have to keep the window shade open or closed at any given time.
But (s)he SAID….!
Well yeah, there is that. And that’s the other side of the coin that we, as ordinary citizens, just don’t know for sure. Some airlines may have a policy about window shades and we just don’t know it. So some FAs might insist, either for what sounds like a good reason (like the ones above) or not, that you keep the window shade in a particular position during a particular time. (S)he may say it’s policy. But is it? The Rule of Window Shade could be written down in the Name of Airline handbook, on page 472, within Section III of Chapter 7. Or maybe the FA is making it up, trying to get you to comply. Who knows, really?
Personally, I like looking out the window. So as long as I’m allowed to keep the shade open, I will. But if I’m asked to close it, sure, I will. It’s not that big of a deal and I don’t want to be perceived as a jerk or a troublemaker. Because that’s the main thing…some people have been kicked off planes for being deemed “uncooperative” with a flight attendant’s instructions. Am I willing to risk getting kicked off the plane (and potentially losing my Global Entry and PreCheck status) because of a window shade? Nope.
As always, Your Mileage May Vary.
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2 comments
they only want to get it closed so its dark and people sleep. less work. got many fa friends, they all say sleeping people are better . less work
But the question is, do you have to comply?