Thanks both of you for your replies.
My query was really targetted at the take off and landing routines. I prefer to have the blinds up for what I think are obvious reasons. I was just surprised in the Tropics to be expected to leave them down at take off, I think because it was so hot. I found that un-nerving. And this was a 'global carrier' that wanted the blinds firmly up for landing and take off on the transatlantic sector.
Just wondering if different regs applied in different parts of the world?
Regards
ANT