Window shades

[audreym]

I was almost thrown off a plane for refusing to lower my window shade at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Cathay flight out of Adelaide. I chose a window seat specifically so I can see the scenery. However the staff asked me to close the shade and when I politely refused I was abused by other passengers. Is this the new norm ? feed the passengers then expect them to sleep, when it's still daylight?

 

[Archipelago]

I was almost thrown off a plane for refusing to lower my window shade at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Cathay flight out of Adelaide. I chose a window seat specifically so I can see the scenery. However the staff asked me to close the shade and when I politely refused I was abused by other passengers. Is this the new norm ? feed the passengers then expect them to sleep, when it's still daylight?

Highly unlikely you were going to get thrown off the flight......and exactly what happened that made you say you were "abused by other passengers"?

Tricky one. Best to stay calm and polite and explain you wanted to watch the scenery in this situation.

 

[Matt_01]

I was almost thrown off a plane for refusing to lower my window shade at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Cathay flight out of Adelaide.

How would you get thrown off, the plane is in the air at that time. I would also be inclined to keep the shade open, unless any brightness was annoying me. Maybe if asked by the crew I may lower it half way as a compromise.

 

[Denali]

Is this you?

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[Forg]

It’s normal Recliner expectation; and if one prefers anything outside the Recliner norm you are indeed likely to be tossed out the airlock.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was almost thrown off a plane for refusing to lower my window shade at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Cathay flight out of Adelaide. I chose a window seat specifically so I can see the scenery. However the staff asked me to close the shade and when I politely refused I was abused by other passengers. Is this the new norm ? feed the passengers then expect them to sleep, when it's still daylight?

Having your window shade open affects the whole cabin, including glare which makes it difficult to see the IFE screens. It also adds heat to the cabin. And, for pax wanting to have snooze, a bright light can be very disruptive (filling in 9 hours can be boring, a snooze is a good way to pass the time, or, not least, get some rest before a night out).

Contrary to popular belief, most crew on day flights aren't just trying to get pax fed and off to sleep. They still have to be awake for an hour or two before their rest and would rather be doing something that sitting and waiting. It makes their time on duty go quicker.

If you must have the shades open, be mindful of the glare. Perhaps shutting it half way as a start?

 

[suze2000]

What a load of bollocks. I would definitely refuse. If people want to sleep, that's what eyeshades are for. Why would you choose a window seat if not to see out??!

I once had an argument with an FA about lowering the shade AT NIGHT. Her reason was that I may fall asleep with it open and the sun might rise and wake everyone up. On a flight that left after dark and was travelling across the Pacific from US to Aus. We took off in the dark and would land in the dark. I assured her that I would never manage to sleep that long and flat out refused. She gave up. The same argument would happen during the day because all their reasons are stupid and the truth is they want us still and hypnotised by our screens so we don't bother them for things. Or get up and fill the aisles with people which would also make their lives difficult. Either way, I'm not submitting. It's a bridge too far, and also NOT a safety issue, so why should I comply?

 

[drron]

I am a shades up person because I really like looking out the window.Over the Ocean i will close them but i am aware when we will pass an island and then keep an eye on the route map.I like flying US to Japan and going across Alaska.
The glare argument is quite over done.if you are working on your computer you can move it to reduce glare.And if you want to sleep eye shades are available.As well I normally fly F or J and the set up of seats mean very few are going to be a problem with glare with 1 or 2 open.

Those that like the view have rights too.

 

[Pushka]

Many planes have auto shade controls. Jetstar from Honolulu has these.

 

[Matt_01]

@Pushka the Jetstar plane windows just darken and are not blinds, standard on the 787 family, airbus have those 2 stage blinds on the a380 and a350. Sure the crew can control these on takeoff and landing i.e. open but in flight control still remains with the passenger, maybe the crew can override, not sure?

The CX plane out of ADL are a330 and have push up/ pull down blinds.

 

[Pushka]

@Pushka the Jetstar plane windows just darken and are not blinds, standard on the 787 family, airbus have those 2 stage blinds on the a380 and a350. Sure the crew can control these on takeoff and landing i.e. open but in flight control still remains with the passenger, maybe the crew can override, not sure?

The CX plane out of ADL are a330 and have push up/ pull down blinds.

Passengers can’t over ride.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The glare argument is quite over done.if you are working on your computer you can move it to reduce glare

Unfortunately the same can't be said for the IFE screen which is either fixed, or has limited rotation. Especially in economy, glare from one window can affect 10-15 other passengers.

 

[Matt_01]

Passengers can’t over ride.

My only experience with JQ is AU to JP in pretend J class, on the 788. The windows where locked on clear on take off and landing at all other times I was able to darken or lighten the widows as I wanted but this was a few years back. Now saying that if the crew on JQ flights now decide when the cabin should dark or light it just confirms my resolve to stay away from and do not fly LCCs. I have never run into this in J with other 787 operators.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Popcorn anyone?

 

[drron]

Unfortunately the same can't be said for the IFE screen which is either fixed, or has limited rotation. Especially in economy, glare from one window can affect 10-15 other passengers.

Look at the gif Denali has posted up thread.if you have the shade half open it can't possibly effect to a great extent the seats in front and behind.So a max of 10 across could be affected.The effect getting less the further across the plane you go.And if the person in front reclines glare is even less of a problem.

 

[Matt_01]

Unfortunately the same can't be said for the IFE screen which is either fixed, or has limited rotation. Especially in economy, glare from one window can affect 10-15 other passengers.

Isn’t this just perspective as @drron stated he fly’s F or J, I am the same. Keeping my window open would not impact 15 other PAX, maybe 2-3 at most and they have been given eye masks in the amenity kit.

 

[Deleted member]

I was almost thrown off a plane for refusing to lower my window shade at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Cathay flight out of Adelaide. I chose a window seat specifically so I can see the scenery. However the staff asked me to close the shade and when I politely refused I was abused by other passengers. Is this the new norm ? feed the passengers then expect them to sleep, when it's still daylight?

So what scenery were you going to view on this flight (from 30,000 feet) ?

 

[Matt_01]

Popcorn anyone?

I think I may have discovered another type of thread to keep me amused and comment on. Move over kids in J.

 

[Matt_01]

So what scenery were you going to view on this flight (from 30,000 feet) ?

2 hours out of ADL on the way to HKG, maybe that big rock north of ADL and south of DRW, outside of that there is not much else to look at than red dirt.

 

[Pushka]

More annoying than window shades are people in the middle seats who turn their TVs to the aisle then proceed to sleep while the flickering of the TV keeps window seat passengers awake.