Random question for you window seat people

[aurora]

I will admit to being slightly annoyed at window-seaters who keep the blinds closed 100% of the time, but I would never say anything. So, I guess that means I think it's their choice...or I'm too passive to speak up.

On the spectrum of airplane annoyances this is about a 5 on a 1-100 scale. Definitely lower than people drinking tomato juice.

ETA 100 is the person who destroys my laptop by throwing their drink over the back of the seat while trying to recline as fast as possible upon takeoff.

[AAM2012]

While I always hope that the person keeps it open, I'd never say anything especially if someone was sleeping.

You can't assume you'll always get the benefit of an aisle seat with the view of the window.

[aurora]

Mar 6, 2015 0:03:53 GMT -5 @foodielicious said:

Mar 5, 2015 23:47:14 GMT -5 aurora said:

On the spectrum of airplane annoyances this is about a 5 on a 1-100 scale. Definitely lower than people drinking tomato juice.

ETA 100 is the person who destroys my laptop by throwing their drink over the back of the seat while trying to recline as fast as possible upon takeoff.

LOL, ok you'd hate flying with me. I drink tomato juice sometimes when I fly...and only when I fly.  I know it's horrible for me (SAAAAAAALT!!!) but my mom used to do it, and I think as a kid I thought it was a grown up thing to do and it still takes the edge off when I'm stressed since I don't drink alcohol much and def. not when I'm flying for work - was routine to bump into clients and colleagues at connection points.  Tomato juice over those little donut ice cubes aaaaah!  LOL.

Tell me more about this drink throwing?

Lol. The scent of tomato juice makes me nauseous, but I recognize that this is my own issue and I also wouldn't say anything about it. I have yet to actually vomit so you're probably safe.

Nobody has actually thrown a drink to destroy my laptop...I was just trying to think of something 20 times worse than keeping your blind down.

[imojoebunny]

I was just thinking about this as I am needing to commit to booking airfares on a cross country flight for my little tribe members.

They have flown, my oldest has flown pretty much every year, my other kid is a PITA to travel with, so he has not flown, since he was a lap.

I will attempt to get two window seats for them, or a row with one adult and the two of them and DH and I can trade off, but if not, I hope you can accept that this is new to them, just as it once was to you. It is public transportation. Relax your personal hoola hoop.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

While I like when I can look out the window, I consider the blind to be under the control of whomever has the window seat.

I can't believe she actually woke you up to ask you that.

[Norticprincess]

I thought they were required to be up for take off and landing?

If I keep it open during a day flight varies by where the sun is in relation to the plane - if it is bright on the the side I'm on the blind is down.

Other than DH or other traveling companion I wouldn't ask anyone to open it unless we were flying near something interesting (the things that get announced by the flight crew which has only happened on a few flights. Everyone on that side of the plane is usually looking) and they were awake.

[Susie]

I generally figure it's the prerogative of the window seater except when they announce that everyone should raise/lower them, like on redeyes. Then I expect the window seater to work with the flight attendant's announcements not to fuck with the circadian rhythms of everyone remotely nearby (anymore than necessary).

[alleinesein]

Mar 6, 2015 0:54:51 GMT -5 Norticprincess said:

I thought they were required to be up for take off and landing?

If I keep it open during a day flight varies by where the sun is in relation to the plane - if it is bright on the the side I'm on the blind is down.

Other than DH or other traveling companion I wouldn't ask anyone to open it unless we were flying near something interesting (the things that get announced by the flight crew which has only happened on a few flights. Everyone on that side of the plane is usually looking) and they were awake.

Yes and no; there really isn't an FAA mandate for it.  All of the airlines that XH worked for required it for safety reasons.   Blinds up and lighting in the cabin to match the outside light makes it easier for your eyes to adjust and also allows you see what is outside should you need to evacuate quickly.  

I prefer them to be partly closed during the day and open at night.  During certain times of the year if you fly certain routes you can see the Northern Lights...its pretty cool to watch them from a plane.

[VillainV]

I usually prefer that people keep the shade down to help control the light level in the cabin. When we fly with the munchkin, he has to be in a window seat (so his car seat doesn't block anyone's access to the aisle), so we keep "his" window shade down when it's allowed, and I have requested other people close or lower theirs if the light from it hits him in the eyes (sometimes the windows don't line up exactly with the seats). I would never wake someone up to ask them to lower their shade..,, but if my baby screams because the light hits him in the eyes, then they probably aren't sleeping anyway :-)

[asoctoberfalls]

I haaaaate when people close the blinds. I get motion sickness, and focusing on something outside is the only thing that helps. I do try to get window seats, but it can be tough if you're not a frequent flier. The airlines seem to lock out "preferred" seats (window and aisle) so that the unwashed masses (me) don't have access to them.

So, if I were sitting next to you, I probably wouldn't say anything at first. But if I started getting really sick, I might.

[VillainV]

Mar 6, 2015 7:10:42 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

I haaaaate when people close the blinds. I get motion sickness, and focusing on something outside is the only thing that helps. I do try to get window seats, but it can be tough if you're not a frequent flier. The airlines seem to lock out "preferred" seats (window and aisle) so that the unwashed masses (me) don't have access to them.

So, if I were sitting next to you, I probably wouldn't say anything at first. But if I started getting really sick, I might.

We are not preferred fliers on any airline and never have trouble getting an entire row for the baby, me, and my husband (window for the baby, aisle for my 6'3" husband).

[v]

I think it is okay to ask nicely, and okay to say no nicely if you have a reason to say no.

That said, I would never ask.

[Deleted]

Window shade is in the custody of the window seater.

That said, the most appropriate approach for a non-window-seater who needs it open is to say the following AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FLIGHT: "I tried to get a window seat on this flight, since I get motion sickness and being able to look outside stops me from feeling ill. Would you mind terribly keeping the window open during takeoff and landing?"

You are within your rights to say, "No," however the waking up bullshit - just, no.

It is critical that the middle / aisle person shares that they tried to get a window & control their destiny, otherwise, just bad flying etiquette

I hate the window seat, makes me feel trapped!

[sporky]

I always get a window seat when flying and always leave the shade closed, except for when instructed otherwise by flight personnel. I would never dare ask someone to do anything with a shade if I was in a different position. You want control over the shade? Pay for a window seat.

[krystee]

I strongly prefer it to be left open. Even though I have flown a million times, I still love to see everything. But I am too claustrophobic to get a window seat, so I accept that I have no control over this. But if we are flying over cool things like mountains or coastal areas, I always think the people who keep them closed are kind of party poopers who have become immune to the simple pleasures in life!

[ddi741]

If I end up with the window seat, I always close it for take off and landing as I don't want to watch that either. I usually open it unless it's a night flight but I can't really sleep on planes.

Regarding the tomatoe juice, the smell of bananas makes me sick to my stomach. I once took a morning flight (back when breakfast was served and free), the entire flight was served bagels, cream cheese and bananas. It was awful.

[explorer2001]

Generally window shades are property of the window seat person. Likely I'm a weirdo, but I'm more likely to ask the window seat person to close the shade because the sun is shining straight in my eyes and blinding me.

[hamster]

I hate when people close the blinds, especially at take off and landing, but I'd never say anything.

[rubytue]

Mar 6, 2015 8:20:51 GMT -5 ddi741 said:

If I end up with the window seat, I always close it for take off and landing as I don't want to watch that either. I usually open it unless it's a night flight but I can't really sleep on planes.

Regarding the tomatoe juice, the smell of bananas makes me sick to my stomach. I once took a morning flight (back when breakfast was served and free), the entire flight was served bagels, cream cheese and bananas. It was awful.

Banana haters unite! Such a vile smelly fruit!

I use to like looking out. I'm over it now and prefer aisle so I can get up to pee and be less claustrophobic. But I do love looking out at takeoff and landing. I'm in awe of the engineering that makes flying work. But since I'm on an aisle, I couldn't see much out the tiny window, so I just don't care anymore.

[darkling_glory]

This is funny to me because there are legitimate reasons for wanting it open or closed.

I am a bad flyer and I'm afraid of heights. I always shut the shade as to not exacerbate my anxiety or, you know, vomit on my neighbor. I'd be beyond pissed if someone woke me up to open the blind.

[ijack]

I generally close it because I'm reading on an ipad or kindle and don't want the glare

[dr.girlfriend]

Mar 6, 2015 7:25:55 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Mar 6, 2015 7:10:42 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

I haaaaate when people close the blinds. I get motion sickness, and focusing on something outside is the only thing that helps. I do try to get window seats, but it can be tough if you're not a frequent flier. The airlines seem to lock out "preferred" seats (window and aisle) so that the unwashed masses (me) don't have access to them.

So, if I were sitting next to you, I probably wouldn't say anything at first. But if I started getting really sick, I might.

We are not preferred fliers on any airline and never have trouble getting an entire row for the baby, me, and my husband (window for the baby, aisle for my 6'3" husband).

This is the weirdest post. Lucky you?  Are you actually disputing the fact that some flights are more booked than the ones you apparently frequent?

[msmerymac]

Mar 6, 2015 10:56:39 GMT -5 ijack said:

I generally close it because I'm reading on an ipad or kindle and don't want the glare

Yeah, the ONE time anyone has ever asked me to adjust the blind when I was in a window seat was when I was on my kindle and had it 3/4 of the way shut, but the sun shining in the bottom was causing a glare from my kindle that wasn't apparent to me, but was to the person sitting on the aisle. 

I'd say I close it a lot, but normally because I take the window on red eyes. I usually open it for landing. 

[darkling_glory]

Mar 6, 2015 12:07:45 GMT -5 @forgrace said:

Mar 6, 2015 0:03:53 GMT -5 @foodielicious said:

LOL, ok you'd hate flying with me. I drink tomato juice sometimes when I fly...and only when I fly.  I know it's horrible for me (SAAAAAAALT!!!) but my mom used to do it, and I think as a kid I thought it was a grown up thing to do and it still takes the edge off when I'm stressed since I don't drink alcohol much and def. not when I'm flying for work - was routine to bump into clients and colleagues at connection points.  Tomato juice over those little donut ice cubes aaaaah!  LOL.

Tell me more about this drink throwing?

I also only drink tomato juice when flying. It's a weird superstition thing I have. I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. I didn't know I was being so annoying. Whoops. I also have the window closed most of the time.

I have a superstition too!! I only drink ginger ale on flights!

[y4m]

I'd be super pissed if someone woke me to open the shade.

I could kind of see waking someone to close it (or closing it myself over them). Sometimes while in flight you can get lined up with the sun and having a shade open puts light right in someone else's eyes--maybe not even in that row. Drives me nuts when my fellow windows aren't mindful of that.

[VillainV]

Mar 6, 2015 11:39:00 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Mar 6, 2015 7:25:55 GMT -5 VillainV said:

We are not preferred fliers on any airline and never have trouble getting an entire row for the baby, me, and my husband (window for the baby, aisle for my 6'3" husband).

This is the weirdest post. Lucky you?  Are you actually disputing the fact that some flights are more booked than the ones you apparently frequent?

What?  

You said it's tough to book anything other than a middle seat if you're not a frequent flier.  I disagreed with you, as my experience is different from yours.  Maybe we fly on different airlines?   

[Deleted]

I got stuck in the middle seat on my flight this last week--and I get sick if I can't see outside during take off. I was super polite and asked the guy in the window seat if he'd open it. He said no, rather rudely. I said "I hope you don't mind getting puked on then" and he opened it but was a complete a$$ about it. Then the dick had the nerve to get up 3 times during the 3 hour flight.

ETA-I think this is going to be like the recline vs no recline topic. Wouldn't it be great if we all had 10 feet of leg room, our own window and space for our stuff?

[cheezer]

I think I'd kill anybody who dared to wake me up on a flight.

I usually keep the shade down as I'm either sleeping or working and there's a glare on the computer. Someone once reached right across me to open the shade which was unnecessary because by then they were practically in my lap.

[y4m]

I'm like you @foodielicious - sometimes the speed at takeoff freaks me out, and I'd prefer closed (especially out of DCA, where the plane banks right after takeoff and you're looking straight down at the Pentagon out the left side). But if someone like @fox123 tells me they get motion sickness, I'll open and look away.

[Shreddingbetty]

We fly with the 3 of us and I always sit in the aisle seat becuase I have the longest legs. DD sits in the middle and DH sits in the window seat. He will oftentimes pull the shade down as well and it annoys me at times. It it is his seat and he gets to do with it what he wants.i think if someone has legit issues with motion sickness or anxiety it is reasonable to ask prior to take off to either leave it up or close it. But waking someone up? That's just plain rude!
If I traveled alone I would still pick an aisle seat so I can stretch my legs and. It have to bother anyone to go pee (although that's only an issue on overseas flights