[bruce511]

Regulations require that window shades be up (open) during take off and landing.

I was sitting next to a passenger once who was asked by the steward to raise the window shade.

While doing it, they asked "why". Answering for the steward I said "it's so Fire and Rescue can see into the plane if we crash". (Which is true, I used to work at airport fire and rescue.)

The steward looked at me with a "that's not helpful" look. My bad :( .

Although I think it's still useful for people to understand things are done for their safety. Not that we expect to crash, and most don't, but every little thing that might improve survival is done. That encourages rather than discourages me.

[noduerme]

This made me question my memory, but I was on a Southwest flight the other day that landed with many of the windows down. Looking into it, I found this[0].

>> [IATA] recommends keeping the window shades open for takeoff and landing as best practice [...] The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also does not mandate it. Instead, U.S. airlines are free to set their own policies, and most stop short of making it a requirement.

In practice, that means airlines like Delta, American, Alaska, and Southwest typically leave it up to passengers, although flight attendants may still encourage open shades. United Airlines, which was briefly the only U.S. carrier that asked passengers to raise their shades in 2022 (an order it quickly rescinded in order to align with other carriers and provide more clarity for travelers), now also frames it as a recommendation rather than a rule.

[0] https://www.afar.com/magazine/why-do-window-shades-have-to-b...

[1] https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-window-shades/

[hahahaa]

Im with you. I watched Mayday. So I am not gonna inflate my life jacket on the plane as I don't want to drown in the sinking fuselage. But the briefing makes it sound like a suggestion so the briefing people hardly listen to hardly presses the point. But if you know why you wouldn't do it.

[ButlerianJihad]

My home airport is Sky Harbor in Phoenix. There has been at least one instance where the flight crew has required all passengers to close all our window shades while the aircraft was not in motion. And they said this was to prevent overheating from sunlight coming inside.

And I was rather miffed about missing out on the view outside, because as a technical guy, I totally enjoy seeing all the activity at an airport! Half the fun of flying!

[bruce511]

While not in motion, or while in flight, it's not really an issue.

Takeoffs and landings are the biggest risk times (and also the best proximity to Fire and Rescue). In hot environments reducing heat load in the plane can definitely improve comfort. Bummer about missing the action though...

[echoangle]

Isn’t it also so you can look out to see if the emergency exits on that side are usable or if there is a fire or excessive debris blocking the exit?

[bruce511]

Yes, that's a factor as well. If you're opening a door (or emergency exit) you should look first to see if that side of the plane is on fire.

But obviously you can open it to look, and there's only a small number that would apply to.

So it's a factor, but the primary reason is being able to look in.

[kelnos]

> The steward looked at me with a "that's not helpful" look.

I get that they don't want people to panic, but I think an attitude of coddling people like that isn't productive.