738 overwing exit replacements?

[slip and turn]

On a return trip down the back lately, noticed some replacement doors that had no window blinds. Two on one side had them, the two on the other didn't. On the return flight, I don't think any of the four had them.

I think I once read here that that there were sometimes problems with opening them and then not being able to shut them again, but didn't know they got changed often.

What's the story?

[Flight Detent]

Errrr...

Does this mean they ALL side UP now on those overwing exits!

(Where all the others slide down!!)

Cheers...FD...:ooh:

[student88]

It's really easy to rip out a window blind - they're only plastic inserts and I must say I've had to remove 2 from a jammed overwing exit before landing! Maybe they were removed this way?!

S88

[slip and turn]

I can't be certain, but I concluded that the replacements(?) I noticed had never had any blind in them because there was no channel in which the blind could slide (up or down).

I remember reading two or three years ago that as well as removing trays from seatbacks, MO'L was thinking about doing without window blinds too ... maybe Boeing made a small stock 'just in case' and when it was decided to drop the idea, they put them on a shelf in Seattle until MO'L needed some quick replacements? (if so serves him right!) :p

Seriously though, have these things (overwing exits, not blinds!) had to be replaced with any significant frequency?

[BelArgUSA]

NO window blinds ever on our emergency exits (here in Argentina) -
If planes are build to our specifications (delivered new) - NO blinds...
If planes come from other operators, often blinds must be removed.
xxx
Obvious reason. Dont open such exit if a fire outside. With a blind, will you see if exit path is safe...?
Same story about main cabin doors - NO blinds...
xxx
:)
Happy contrails

[slip and turn]

Makes sense to me BelArg :)

So, assuming fire outside the door isn't the reason, why might've MO'L had to fit so many Argentinian spec exits lately? Or has the China Airlines fire had a secondary effect on someone's thinking?