Window shade etiquette

[casanovawa]

I always book the window seat and that is because i like to look out at the scenery as i fly by, not for 14 hours straight, but if i want to look out now and then i do get p!ssed off by FAs demanding every thing be down, especially as people say on a daylight flight... I'll often look for a bit and then might pull my shades down half way or 3/4 while i watch the movies, then periodically lift them up to take a look, or to take some photos (which i still like doing)... That for me is part of the enjoyment of the flight, else i may as well be in an aisle seat with extra ease of direct access to the aisle those seats have... I give up some of that access to sit in a window seat, so am annoyed when some overly officious FA ruins one of the benefits...

I don't consciously bother thinking about which way the flight is going as to how glaring the sun will be on my side, more think about what city i am taking off from, and if a nice one, maybe which side of the plane might face it on take off and provide some nice photos, or maybe pass by some cities on route and what is the best side to have a look at them or some ice or islands or something of interest... Other times just go by what seatguru might suggests is a good seat and it might only be a seat available on one side of the plane so just take that one...

But anyway, yes i try to be considerate of others, but don't like the commands of FAs without any reasonable consideration being given...

 

[JohnK]

I don't care if we are mid-Atlantic, but over land on a clear day, it was just pig headed stubborness and mindless adherence to a edict that had no reasonable benefit given the timeframe involved... clearly chosing a window seat is pointless flying Emirates: you have been warned!

That is not good enough. If I choose a window seat then I want a view.

The 'daytime part' may in fact be midnight at the destination zone and some sensible people may be actually trying to adjust their body clock by sleeping or just relaxing without the harsh glare into their eyes.

The issue is about 'containment' where a personal reading light provides you (and you only) with adequate lighting for personal needs but an open window would unnecessarily cast light onto others who may not need it.

Perfect. This where eye shades come in extremely handy.

 

[legroom]

...This where eye shades come in extremely handy.....

Kinda harder watching IFE through the eyeshade !

No eyeshade ?

Saw the photo in post #18 ?

All I could see is the bright glare exactly behind the IFE screen, so I gave up.

That pax could have the shades down, not the full blinds - only the shades, but he chose to look at 'bright light' (no scenery there, I can assure you).

Live and let live, because someday somewhere karma would come to visit all of us.

 

[JohnK]

Live and let live, because someday somewhere karma would come to visit all of us.

No. You totally misunderstand.

If the window shade is directly bothering you from watching IFE then I would gladly shut it. If you wanted to sleep then I couldnt care less.

I wish recliners gave me the same consideration when I have been unfortunate to not have a bulkhead seat.

 

[drron]

But then legroom consideration for others would also mean consideration for those who have selected a window sear precisely because they wanted the view-eg last night arriving into LGA it was great to see Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty as we circled to make our approach.

 

[Buzzard]

Generally on a daytime flight I like the shade up, I enjoy looking out the window. Why else select a window seat? Don't see the point sitting in a dark tube.

That said, if bright light makes IFE viewing difficult screen down.

 

[drewbles]

Perfect. This where eye shades come in extremely handy.

And for those of us who wear glasses? The last thing I want to do is wake up and not be able to find my glasses. I *always* sleep on flights with them on (except in the case of a J cabin which has a hidey-hole for me to put them and not have them slip/slide in the event of turbulence and not get crushed in a seat back pocket).

I simply can't wear eye shades, so they don't suit us all.

 

[Hvr]

As a spectacle wearer I always carry another hard case which in Y can be in the seat back in front of me and in J/F in a hidey hole. Never had a problem with wearing eye shades.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But then legroom consideration for others would also mean consideration for those who have selected a window sear precisely because they wanted the view-eg last night arriving into LGA it was great to see Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty as we circled to make our approach.

generally in the last stages of a flight the window shades are up in preparation for landing.

 

[defurax]

As a spectacle wearer I always carry another hard case which in Y can be in the seat back in front of me and in J/F in a hidey hole. Never had a problem with wearing eye shades.

I usually sleep with eye shades and QC15 NC headphone on, so I simply put my glasses in the QC15 case!

 

[drron]

generally in the last stages of a flight the window shades are up in preparation for landing.

Mr.5A wanted them down.Though he reclined as soon as the plane started rolling down the runway-and an F seat on an MD80 still can be a bit tight when reclined.And no he wasn't sleeping.

 

[JohnK]

And for those of us who wear glasses? The last thing I want to do is wake up and not be able to find my glasses. I *always* sleep on flights with them on (except in the case of a J cabin which has a hidey-hole for me to put them and not have them slip/slide in the event of turbulence and not get crushed in a seat back pocket).

I simply can't wear eye shades, so they don't suit us all.

I wear glasses as well. I put them in their case when I am sleeping.

All I am trying to highlight is people always want things their way.

- As a non-recliner I have no say in whether the person in front reclines. My flight is almost ruined if the person in front reclines.
- I dont travel in a window seat that often but if I am in window seat then I am there for a reason (look out the window except for 80AK) so shouldnt I be able to have the window shade up? According to some of you I have no control over this either.
- I chose bulkhead because I want to sit there. Should give that up because others were too lazy?

I believe I am a considerate person. I cannot say the same for chronic recliners.

 

[drewbles]

As a spectacle wearer I always carry another hard case which in Y can be in the seat back in front of me and in J/F in a hidey hole. Never had a problem with wearing eye shades.

Without my glasses, I tend to have trouble finding my glasses (I'm pretty damn blind, and that's before the Gin in the F lounge ).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I believe I am a considerate person. I cannot say the same for chronic recliners.

there in lies the issue. you believe you are being considerate, many others (possibly the majority) do not when it comes to 'window shades up'.

that you choose not to recline is no big deal... no medal awarded and no brownie points you're not a martyr. you are free to recline just as everyone can.

because someone doesn't recline doesn't give them special rights in any other area... like snoring, or letting their children run around etc etc. each one of those is separate and individual... each one should be controlled to minimise impact on those around you.

if the majority have their shades down, and the majority are reclined, and the majority don't snore, and the majority don't cut their fingernails or toenails and the majority don't have loud conversations... why should the minority want to disturb any of that?

 

[JohnK]

there in lies the issue. you believe you are being considerate, many others (possibly the majority) do not when it comes to 'window shades up'.

Dont play the majority card now. That sounds like the mob mentality.

My response to your quote is tough luck and learn to deal with it. But if you are extremely inconvenienced then I will reconsider my stance.

that you choose not to recline is no big deal... no medal awarded and no brownie points you're not a martyr. you are free to recline just as everyone can.

Again I do not feel comfortable reclining. A lot of times through the flight I am leaning foward in my seat for minutes on end as that is the only way to get relief from the excruciating pain. Should I have to purchase business class?

I have learned to deal with it though. I ensure I pre-allocate a bulkhead.

So I believe I am taking the high ground and believe I am more considerate than the next person because I know what it is like to go through something that makes me uncomfortable.

 

[legroom]

generally in the last stages of a flight the window shades are up in preparation for landing.

I agree scenery is one thing worth looking at (usu on landing approach anyway) but at cruising altitude apart from bright light there may be not even any cloud to cast your gaze on.

Never object to watching scenery either. Very often do that myself with the odd photos taken too.

It's the glare affecting IFE and reading that annoys me some.

 

[drron]

Well I enjoyed this view when crossing the US mid west yesterday-

.

 

[Major]

My preference is for a window seat as I enjoy watching the details of take off's and landings. In flight I enjoy the view from time to time, at my discretion.

If your preference is for an aisle seat then don't expect to control the window shade. Having said that if there was a polite request to close the shade because of the sun or other lighting issues then I would not hesitate to assist

 

[Moody]

My preference is for a window seat as I enjoy watching the details of take off's and landings. In flight I enjoy the view from time to time, at my discretion.

Yep - take off and landing is generally the only time I would prefer a window seat, though if the window pax doesn't put their fat head in front of the perspex I can get by with glimpses. Other than that if I want to see the view I go for a walk and look out the door windows.

If your preference is for an aisle seat then don't expect to control the window shade. Having said that if there was a polite request to close the shade because of the sun or other lighting issues then I would not hesitate to assist

No - us "aislies" control the aisle. If YOU make a polite request (and haven't abused your window privileges) then I have no problems giving you access!

 

[eric2011]

No - us "aislies" control the aisle. If YOU make a polite request (and haven't abused your window privileges) then I have no problems giving you access!

Hope you are never sitting next to me. Trust me, if I want to get out of my window seat and go down the aisle, I will.