Window Shades UP or DOWN?

[wisewoman]

Down please! I often get migraines and am very sensitive to light. Also there is nothing worse that a heavy stream of light on your screen making it nigh on impossible to enjoy the IFE. DOWN DOWN DOWN.

 

[FirstClass]

H/K seats might indicate inexperienced travellers unfamiliar with shade operation?


Whilst I understand that lengthy confinement to a cramped, hypoxic tin tube can to Perhaps the carriers could publish their relevant policies within Terms of Carriage, thus putting an end to a trivial, absurd debate?

 

[FirstClass]

Oops! Meant to say..

Whilst I understand that lengthy confinement to a cramped, hypoxic tin tube can cause some people to obsess over the most trivial things, perhaps the carriers could simply publish their relevant policies within Terms of Carriage, thus putting an end to an absurd debate?

 

[wombatpatties]

H/K seats might indicate inexperienced travellers unfamiliar with shade operation?


Whilst I understand that lengthy confinement to a cramped, hypoxic tin tube can to Perhaps the carriers could publish their relevant policies within Terms of Carriage, thus putting an end to a trivial, absurd debate?

excuse me?
what was that comment after tin tube can to.....?

Now widely available for the general public are strong dark sunglasses and a variety of coloured eye-masks.

But perhaps the designers of aircraft could make a slide-out piece thingy on LH and RH sides of the screens for optimum viewing.
just a female thought that's all....................

 

[FirstClass]

Rectified above yours, wombat. Apologies...

 

[Pushka]

Why would you book yourself a window seat if you want the shades down. For me if i book a window it is because i am flying to a new area and want to see out of the plane. If you have a problem with you eyes, and i feel for anyone that does, have your glasses maker make a special pair of glasses to remove the glare.
They put windows in things so you can see out. As far as i am concerned the windows can't be big enough

Like I said. So people don't clamber over me.

 

[Flymeanywhere]

I, personally, prefer window seats for the sole purpose of looking out the window whether it be flying over clouds or even in the middle of an ocean because, like others have mentioned, like to try to pinpoint where I am by matching it to the flight map. I know you can't see anything through clouds but, occasionally, there is a gap and the thrill I get from spotting something would be hard to understand if you are a "shades down" person. Clearly, this is one of those situations that will not satisfy everyone, and it does depend on what time of day/night and how long the flight is, but the decision should be left to the occupant of the window seat. For those that are annoyed with the "blazing stream of sunshine", why can't you just politely ask the passenger if they could pull the blind down for a short time till the sun is not shining in and disrupting your IFE or whatever. Expecting the window passenger to sit there and have to rely on other "entertainment" for the duration of the flight is just as inconsiderate as someone having shades up all the time. And at night, even some lights in the distance on the ground is a thrill to me, just like when I travel overnight in a train although, then, I usually just open the curtain a crack to peer out.

 

[FirstClass]

Perhaps offering a choice of VR goggles or IV sedation might solve some of the 'issues'?

 

[wombatpatties]

Rectified above yours, wombat. Apologies...

No worries mate!!!

 

[Pushka]

Perhaps offering a choice of VR goggles or IV sedation might solve some of the 'issues'?

On all sides.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

SQ's procedure is very simple and consistent if R/F cabins - as soon as seat belt sign off crew imm pull down all shades which are not directly adjacent to occupied seats - window seat pax have dibs on up or down - many many times I have asked crew to nicely ask window pax if they would mind pulling shades down - from memory I cannot recall a window seat pax not agreeing.

However it is quote clear - should window seat pax desire shade up then their preference overrides other pax wants - it is very simple, clear and straight forward. Anybody with knowledge of other airlines formal position on up or down?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anybody with knowledge of other airlines formal position on up or down?

I dunno if it's a 'formal' policy - but JAL issues their cabin crew little sticks with a rubber knob on the end... the cabin reach over passengers to lower the shades with said devices. There was no argument! :shock:

 

[aaronm]

I dunno if it's a 'formal' policy - but JAL issues their cabin crew little sticks with a rubber knob on the end... the cabin reach over passengers to lower the shades with said devices. There was no argument! :shock:

I've seen SQ staff do this using the inflight magazine, had no idea any airline issued an "official" implement!

 

[musch]

Perhaps there will be a time, when the window shade debate will go "retro" and we will have a shades up and shades down section of the cabin, like the old smoking and non smoking section. Or a shades up lunge area, like the old upper deck of the 747. Ok neither likely soon, lol

I think generally down, however I also like a look out from time to time, and at least on the 747, they have a decent size window on most doors.

Not as impressed as I hope to be with the 787, good idea which I do not think works as well as I would have expected with all the pre-launch hype. However, the "shades down" movement will appreciate that FA's have an override button and can dim all windows, so that the pax cannot un-dim individually.

 

[Colin keens]

Up please, I like to feel I'm part of the world I'm travelling through, just not locked into a flying cylinder, especially when it's daylight outside
Agree that often air crew want shades down just for their convenience, not the comfort of passengers

 

[FirstClass]

Asian cabin crew have traditionally a serious aversion to the 'ups & downs' of pax, so stands to reason they are issued a knobbed instrument for enforcement of appropriate decorum...

 

[PineappleSkip]

For me usually depends on the length of the flight. How many people put the window blinds down for BNE-SYD or similar?
And the best view in Afghanistan is from the window flying KBL to [anywhere]. You can't miss that. I found one on my phone of outliers of the Hindu Kush, over Maidan Wardak province about 10 mins out of KBL en route to DXB. And another of an airport that might be familiar to some.

Night views are often interesting. However I usually cope with shades down if there is IFE, we are in cruise and over an ocean.

Wasn't that many years ago when window seat was real power. In red rattler trains you made the decision whether the people behind you were subjected to gale force winds. Ever popular in winter.

Cheers skip

 

[Jacksond]

On the NZ-LA route I like to peek out of the window at the sunrise. I only raise the shade slightly so as not to annoy others. I usually book a seat on the right side midway down the J cabin if I can. Sleep seems to elude me on long haul and I can not stand eye masks (maskphobia perhaps?

 

[Junes]

My first trip to Turkey was in 2008, SQ and BA with days in London first. We flew over Lebanon and direct above Istanbul - the Bosphorus, Golden Horn all could be identified. Unforgettable. I like a window and sleep where needed but seriously, what's the point of 33000 ft up there without an Earthview? At least a peep, pls Qantas.

 

[patdthompson]

I like the shades up, specially if flying over Oz and there is no cloud - the view can be terrific. If it is daylight, let's have daylight. OK, if it is long haul then shades down for sleeping time is understandable but not as a matter of course. And I still like to peek out to see fires and lights etc in the outback.