Window left down for take-off and landing

[Daver6]

I understand the reasons why the window shades need to be up for take-off and landing.

What really surprised me is this doesn't seem to be standard for some airlines. I'm looking at you BA and AA.

Some examples. Flying a BA 777 from TLV-LHR. Boarding all the shades were down in J. They were left down for take-off and landing. Same on a BA A380 from LHR to IAD. I open my shades as I was in a window seat.

AA DFW-AUS. All shades in F were down. I opened mine but all others remained down.

I can understand that sometimes they might be left down on the ground of it is really hot outside, but opened prior to departure. This wasn't the case.

Thoughts or explanations?

 

[ButFli]

Windows open for takeoff and landing is not mandated by the FAA or EASA. It is up to airlines to set their own procedures - neither BA nor AA mandate it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Windows open for takeoff and landing is not mandated by the FAA or EASA. It is up to airlines to set their own procedures - neither BA nor AA mandate it.

This, along with things like gate-to-gate IFE... unfortunately it may take an accident to get authorities to act one way or the other as to the safety value. Cell phones were banned with zero evidence, but shades and IFE seem to be allowed in the absence of evidence.

 

[jb747]

PAs pause the IFE, and come through the headsets. I'm personally not fussed either way by the blinds.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

PAs pause the IFE, and come through the headsets. I'm personally not fussed either way by the blinds.

This is true, but for an unplanned emergency, where cabin crew don't have time to use the tannoy, shouted commands ('brace') may not be heard, and passenger attention may be delayed as they are focused on their programmes. One of the arguments for 'window shades up' is supposed to save 'valuable seconds' for eyes to adjust to light conditions... a couple seconds delay while shifting attention away from IFE might be equally a problem.

I also noticed a delay on a recent flight where the cabin announcement took a couple seconds before the IFE paused and the message came through. The message was on relay... it didn't cut off any part of the announcement, just was a couple seconds behind the cabin tannoy.

 

[oz_mark]

This, along with things like gate-to-gate IFE... unfortunately it may take an accident to get authorities to act one way or the other as to the safety value. Cell phones were banned with zero evidence, but shades and IFE seem to be allowed in the absence of evidence.

Plenty of evidence that mobile phones could cause crackling in the pilots headsets. I was on a plane once when I pilot asked whoever had their phone on to turn it off!

 

[Daver6]

I'm personally not fussed either way by the blinds.

Hopefully you keep yours open up the front...or is that what the autopilot if for