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Are Flight Attendants jacking with my sanity?

  • Lately, when flying red-eye flights, I've noticed that the flight attendants, as part of their safety spiel, sometimes ask that the window shades be left up during takeoff and landing. Why? Also, I’m almost certain that I remember back in the 80’s, the flight attendants would sometimes ask everyone to put the window-shades down during takeoff and landing on red-eye flights. Does anyone else have such memories from flying during the 80’s, or is this particular memory better left discussed only with my therapist, along with the alien abduction memories? Am I crazy, or are the flight attendants plotting to make me crazy? Does the safety of the flight depend on actions I decide to take or not take with my window-shade?

  • Answer:

    Do I really have to keep my window shade open for takeoff? Some of us would prefer not to watch the world whiz by at 150 mph. If the shades are open, passengers can keep track of which way is up during an emergency. Windows are also a source of light if the cabin goes dark. The crew dims the lights during takeoff so, if the plane loses power, your eyes won't have a hard time adjusting to the dark. --http://krisflyer.blogspot.com/2005/05/reporter-asks-pilot-stupid-questions.html

Zendogg at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

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It's so you can see outside to orient yourself in case of an accident.

nathan_teske

I can't verify how it was in the 80's, but I assume keeping the shades down would just be a courtesy to anyone trying to sleep.

luftmensch

I was flying around a bit over the holidays, and each flight (at various times of day) included "please leave window shades up during takeoff and landing" in the safety instructions given by the flight attendants. While I don't know the exact cause, I'd bet nathan_teske is correct, or as close to correct as you'll get from someone who doesn't work in the industry.

ubernostrum

This is because statistically all airplane accidents happen during take-off, or landing. The shades are up in the windows so that if an emergency should occur, we can assess the situation outside to get you out of the aircraft safely.

thesiameseffect

All flights I've ever been on have asked for the blinds to be up, as the others say its so you can orientate yourself in case of an emergency

MrC

A previous AskMe question, http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/29916 has a similar answer: so you can more easily GTFO in an accident.

zsazsa

If the shades are open, passengers can keep track of which way is up during an emergency. Doesn't the presence of gravity kind of give us that information? Obviously during flight, centripetal force overrides gravity to some degree but then again during flight why would it be important for a passenger to know which way is up if he/she is in an emergency situation? If the plane is upside down I can definitely figure out there is a problem without having a window shade open. Also looking out a window while in a cloud bank tells you nothing.

JJ86

Most plane crashes involve disorienting movement, head injuries, and/or the uprooting of seats and other markers of orientation. You want as much light coming in the plane as possible so you can see where you're going. Also, you want to avoid the exits with the flames around them.

Lyn Never

Great link, Orb. Interesting reading.

MeetMegan

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