Comments for Pearls of Travel Wisdom

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by LR

LR — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:55:27 +0000

I’ve been told to open the shade for takeoff/landing on at least one US carrier. If I didn’t care too much one way or the other, I’d just leave it open rather than have to remember to open it at the end of the flight.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Carl

Carl — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:34:02 +0000

During daytime flights, I prefer the window shade to be up. I like daylight, it feels good. Also the overhead lights aren’t really bright enough to read without strain

But I also think its a bit odd to request a window seat and then close the window shade for the whole flight.

By the way, some foreign airlines require that window shades be open during takeoff and landing. Interesting that the FAA doesn’t require that here.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Scottrick

Scottrick — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:21:25 +0000

I like looking out the window, and I never know what I”ll see. I’m with Jayson. It’s up unless I have a reason to put it down (I agree that trying to sleep with it up is silly). The two reasons I have for pulling it down are that I’m trying to work on my computer and there’s too much glare, or that it’s all clouds outside or the sun is setting, so it’s brighter than normal. But it seems that if you care so much about keeping the window shade down, you should pick a window seat and lower it yourself.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Toni

Toni — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:19:57 +0000

The view of nothing is awesome!

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Jayson

Jayson — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:13:05 +0000

If I’m awake (regardless of what I’m doing) the shade is up. The only time I’ll lower it, is either morning flights or prevent glare on my tablet while watching movies.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Lord Fish

Lord Fish — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:59:15 +0000

I agree this is a very uncomfortable situation particularly on international flights. I don’t want that bright light shining in my face when I am trying to sleep or even just reading a book. It causes the pupils to contract and just adds to the fatigue of a long-distance flight.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by HansGolden

HansGolden — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:57:47 +0000

One of the answers is contained in this month’s issue of the United Hemispheres magazine that I read just this morning on DEN-EWR: http://t.co/Ak4DHg0v

Excerpt: “Adding windows or simply improving artificial light in offices has been shown to increase productivity, boost morale and reduce the number of sick days, headaches and cases of eyestrain among workers.”

Plenty of sunlight is important for physical, emotional, and mental health. As an office worker, I already get too little of it. A plane ride above the clouds with loads of unadulterated sunlight is a nice opportunity. I bet people having the shades open is mostly subconscious: people just have a dislike of being stuck in a dark, gloomy tube in the air.

I slept for about four hours in the window seat (1A) ICT-DEN-EWR this morning with the shade up.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Levi Flight

Levi Flight — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:47:18 +0000

I am a big fan of the view from the window so tend to have the shade up. I do drop it down if sleeping (unless the person next to me is watching the view) and during times such as dawn when the cabin is mostly asleep and the light is intrusive. . During daylight hours though, up.

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Ari

Ari — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:46:34 +0000

I just like to enjoy the view at 34k feet…observing the vastness of “flyover” states is reassuring when I consider my life’s decisions

Comment on When You Fly, Is the Window Shade Up? by Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:19:02 +0000

I can’t stand when people put the shade down.

Do people just not sleep at night or something? I enjoy being able to look out the window … so I have been booking window seats more. Half the time, the aisle pax asks me to close the window.

This seems to happen to me on United more often than other airlines (although it’s probably just a coincidence)

But really….I don’t get why people do it.