Window Shade Etiquette

[strake]

Just cruising by and gosh, look what's resurfaced again....

I'm sure I've read thread after thread on this subject over the years. The end result is normally the same though. Outraged of Tunbridge Wells meets Fuming of Fulham. Finally, all is consigned to the ether by TS of Towers..for another five years or so anyway...

[Ka6crpe]

I'm another SLF who likes a window seat to look at the view. If the ground or ocean is visible (ie no cloud) then there are fantastic land and ocean views to enjoy. At night I entertain myself by identifying features just by the artificial ground lighting available. Like a single lighted area apparently in the middle of the ocean 2 hours north-east of Auckland and knowing its the research station on Raoul Island in the Kermadec group. Or reconising the lights of Tonga as we pass overhead.

When its cloudy it can be interesting identifying the weather patterns underneath, or even identifying ground location by the cloud feartures.

In really bad weather, just watching the de-icing boots on the leading edge of an ATR at 19000' and seeing the ice pinging off is worth a study.

So imagine how upset I feel when I'm unable to get a window seat, yet the person who does get the window imediately lowers the blind.

[PAXboy]

Hello strake, you must be cruising at a very high altitude as we don't see you so often (or you've more sense )

... for another five years or so anyway...

As long as five years???? This is one of our hardy perennials.

Probably time for it to join the FAQ. In fact, if we really work on the FAQ then the reply to every question can be: "Please read the FAQ."

[Sunnyjohn]

So imagine how upset I feel when I'm unable to get a window seat, yet the person who does get the window imediatley lowers the blind.

People often prefer a window seat because it's furthest from the aisle where, during the flight there is an endless succession of cabin crew selling wares or people wishing to use the toilet. Unfortunately, many people also have a fear of flying and do not like looking out of the window, so they pull the blind down.

[ZFT]

Unfortunately, many people also have a fear of flying and do not like looking out of the window, so they pull the blind down.

Interestingly Miss ZFT's partner also has an awful fear of flying, especially turbulence and he is the exact opposite and must look out of the window for reassurance.

Nevertheless, an interesting point and one I had not considered before.

[peakcrew]

I'm definitely in the "I want to see outside" camp. Whilst I usually go out of my way to make flights pleasant for my co-SLF, I will resist window closing as long as possible, because they have other options to achieve their aims (sleeping etc), whereas I have only the open window to achieve mine.

I specifically book window seats so I can see outside. Part of that is because I am a little claustrophobic, but it is mainly because I love the view. Yes, I do read a bit on a plane, especially if the flight is in cloud and so there is nothing but grey to see, but I still keep looking for those magical moments where the sun breaks through, wholly or partially, and creates sights not usually seen. In clearer conditions, I can spend hours just looking at cloud-tops or the ground/sea below.

[Hipennine]

When I first went up in the sky as a pax, I was terrified. I sought seating in the middle of the aircraft, so there was no chance of being able to look out of a window. Then one day, I had to take a window seat. Amazingly, those seemingly massive lurches and bumps felt when seated in the centre were visibly inconsequential when looking out of the window to the ground below. Now in a window seat, seeing clouds coming up ahead, and actually look forward to enjoying the sudden (minor) uplift as the cloud is entered. Looking out of the window is the only pleasure left in flying. It's the way to enjoy the ride, rather than being absorped in artificial entertainment (which you can do anywhere).

[LadyL2013]

It frustrates me when I don't have a window seat and the person who is next to the window keeps the blind down for the non-essential parts of the flight. Firstly I can't see out and it makes me feel claustrophobic and secondly whats the point having a window seat if you don't intend on using the......er.....window.

I always pre-book seats now so I can view the earth in all it's beauty.

[t1grm]

whats the point having a window seat if you don't intend on using the......er.....window

a) so you don't have to move for people to get out to go to the loo

b) so you can rest your head against the side of the plane and have a sleep

But I like to look out of the window too

[LadyL2013]

Fair point, but they can both be acheived with the blind up.

If another pax asks me to close the blind, I close it enough to remove glare but enough for me to see out.

[ExXB]

What I hate, is when I don't get a window and the lady that's sitting there has got her head in the way so I can't see out.

Followed by questions like, which airline is that? What airplane is that? Oh, can you see that? Aaarrrggghhh! Move your bleeding head, dear.

[occasional]

Given the modern prevalence of paying for seat reservation, is it seriously being suggested that I could pay to reserve a window seat and then be told to close the blind ?