Window Shade Etiquette
N4790P
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Window Shade Etiquette
Is there such a thing?
Flew back from LHR overnight with a lunchtime departure. I was seated by a window. 2 hours after takeoff the pax in the opposite aisle (via the cc) demanded I close the window blind as it was keeping him awake. I was reading so I declined his request. I didn‘t feel it unreasonable at 3 pm to want natural light. His reaction was ‘interesting’.
We were in a premier cabin and the amenity kits contain eye shades which I reminded him of but apparently he didn’t like to wear them over his sensitive skin.
2 hours later of course it was naturally dark anyway.
Is there any such thing as Window Shade etiquette or is the pax by the blind in control?
My own view is that if you want daylight or just want to enjoy the view then it really is your choice.
Flew back from LHR overnight with a lunchtime departure. I was seated by a window. 2 hours after takeoff the pax in the opposite aisle (via the cc) demanded I close the window blind as it was keeping him awake. I was reading so I declined his request. I didn‘t feel it unreasonable at 3 pm to want natural light. His reaction was ‘interesting’.
We were in a premier cabin and the amenity kits contain eye shades which I reminded him of but apparently he didn’t like to wear them over his sensitive skin.
2 hours later of course it was naturally dark anyway.
Is there any such thing as Window Shade etiquette or is the pax by the blind in control?
My own view is that if you want daylight or just want to enjoy the view then it really is your choice.
Last edited by ZFT; 3rd Aug 2013 at 11:26. Reason: spelling
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I've been in this situation when a fellow pax, sitting next to me, asked if would pull the blind down. I pulled it down to within a couple of inches from the bottom. This reduced any glare but gave enough light for me to read.
Ask politely get a polite response, demand then get appropriate response.
Given Pax had means of blocking out light then clearly there appears to be a belief that sitting in a premier cabin gave more priveleges that existed.
Given Pax had means of blocking out light then clearly there appears to be a belief that sitting in a premier cabin gave more priveleges that existed.
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Window Shade Etiquette
I book and pay for a window seat so I can look out of the window... Even on night flights I don't sleep.
If the other passenger wants the window shade down then they should have booked a window seat...
If there is lots of glare, I'll pull it down a bit, but other that, the shade stays up!
If the other passenger wants the window shade down then they should have booked a window seat...
If there is lots of glare, I'll pull it down a bit, but other that, the shade stays up!
Last edited by Scott C; 3rd Aug 2013 at 12:12.
Paxing All Over The World
I always specify a window - for flight of ANY duration. I do lower a bit but never close unless I am goign to sleep.
If someone boards a flight knowing they want to sleep and knowing they have eye shades provided for free? Then they have the solution.
When CC ask me to lower the shade - I still leave a gap.
If someone boards a flight knowing they want to sleep and knowing they have eye shades provided for free? Then they have the solution.
When CC ask me to lower the shade - I still leave a gap.
Quite a difficult one this. When in a smaller cabin such as First with sleepers and during day light if one passenger decides to open blinds the whole cabin lights up like someone shining a spotlight in.
It can be quite embarrassing if you are the one who fancies a quick peek at the outside world!
A lot of customers book sleeper seats for that very purpose so can get quite arsey if they are disturbed. But those that want to read or look out have as many rights.
It can be quite embarrassing if you are the one who fancies a quick peek at the outside world!
A lot of customers book sleeper seats for that very purpose so can get quite arsey if they are disturbed. But those that want to read or look out have as many rights.
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Everybody has rights: That is precisely the problem!
In my experience, the problem arises when people fall asleep with the blind open on overnight sectors. If you are seated by a window and wish to look out, then that would seem to be reasonable, and eyeshades are available for others who wish to sleep. Leaving a shade blind open in an otherwise dark cabin when you yourself are not "using" it strikes me as being a trifle inconsiderate.
I would agree with racedo to the extent that this seems to be more of a problem of courtesy than anything else - it was the "demanding" that created the ill feeling, rather than the situation itself. A shared, confined space requires tolerance and courtesy from everybody for things to work, and since both qualities are in short supply these days, the problems are inevitable.
In my experience, the problem arises when people fall asleep with the blind open on overnight sectors. If you are seated by a window and wish to look out, then that would seem to be reasonable, and eyeshades are available for others who wish to sleep. Leaving a shade blind open in an otherwise dark cabin when you yourself are not "using" it strikes me as being a trifle inconsiderate.
I would agree with racedo to the extent that this seems to be more of a problem of courtesy than anything else - it was the "demanding" that created the ill feeling, rather than the situation itself. A shared, confined space requires tolerance and courtesy from everybody for things to work, and since both qualities are in short supply these days, the problems are inevitable.
It's the pax right... Unless the CC ask in order to assist pax sleeping, for instance on a westbound overnight where you are chasing daylight or a summer eastbound where darkness only occurs for a few hours.
He should have ask the cc if they had a paper bag, that would have been OK for his sensitive skin.
or
Flown on the B787 where the cc can turn them dark to stop 98% of the light getting in, but then the fires would create even more light.
or
Flown on the B787 where the cc can turn them dark to stop 98% of the light getting in, but then the fires would create even more light.
Last edited by Mr @ Spotty M; 3rd Aug 2013 at 20:50.
Paxing All Over The World
I agree TS. Sometimes, I place the blanket over my head whilst looking out of the window - like an old time photographer. It works!
Curiosuly it tends not to work the other way - if I am enjoying the daylight and others close their blinds to sleep and make the cabin dreary - I do not complain. perhaps I should?
Curiosuly it tends not to work the other way - if I am enjoying the daylight and others close their blinds to sleep and make the cabin dreary - I do not complain. perhaps I should?
I love looking out of the windows during flights & when the CC ask me to close the windows it pisses me off. As far as possible I try to keep mine open (in so far as doing so really wouldn't inconvenience everyone else or if the sunlight is seriously direct, bright & hot).
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These problems arise in all forms of public (and sometimes private) transport: you open the window on a bus, someone wants it closed; you want the window shade up on the train, someone wants it down; you want quiet so you book a seat in a quiet carriage, someone has their stereo on very loud. That's why so many people like cars and drive them alone - something the greens can't seem to understand.
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I love looking out of the windows during flights & when the CC ask me to close the windows it pisses me off.
N4790P
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spannersatcx
Maybe at night but my eyesight, especially in dim light isn't what it used to be and reading lights are not particularly bright.
Quote:
I was reading
isn't that what reading lights are for?
I was reading
isn't that what reading lights are for?
It's a compromise. If people are asleep etc I always close it but ensure I leave a least a small gap for me to peek through.
I always request a window seat, simply because I am still in awe at the wonderful sights to see outside of said window.
It never ceases to amaze me that people find no interest at all in viewing the big wide world from FL38, even for just a short time. I think the views are wonderful and never tire of it (well, perhaps only when ocean crossing!).
I always request a window seat, simply because I am still in awe at the wonderful sights to see outside of said window.
It never ceases to amaze me that people find no interest at all in viewing the big wide world from FL38, even for just a short time. I think the views are wonderful and never tire of it (well, perhaps only when ocean crossing!).
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I've seen a lot of criticism about new B787 electric blinds. Some don't like the CC being able to 'force' them to a position they don't like.
But aren't they adjustable between 0 and 99%? i.e. A window passenger could set them to 25% or so letting in enough of a view, while not having bright light entering into the cabin.
I like having my blind open during the day, but I am cognizant that me opening and closing them can disturb others. This new feature seems ideal.
But aren't they adjustable between 0 and 99%? i.e. A window passenger could set them to 25% or so letting in enough of a view, while not having bright light entering into the cabin.
I like having my blind open during the day, but I am cognizant that me opening and closing them can disturb others. This new feature seems ideal.
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.. And so it starts...
I fully appreciate the fact that cc ask pax to open window blinds for landing, for obvious reasons. Why on earth would you want to order or demand that they close them when someone may want to read using natural light or to take in the view? It's that same view that made me want to become a commercial pilot. What now? No f/d visits in flight and no window seats with a view?
Jees, I remember when flying was part of the experience of going on holiday, not a necessary evil...