A question about airplanes?

Question

Why is it that during take off and landing, the flight attendants always ask that you open your little window shade? But in the air its ok to close the shade. What is the purpose of having the window shade open during take off and landing?

Answer 1

I'm guessing this is on a non US based airline.  I have seen this, but only flying overseas on foreign airlines.  I've never seen this practice on US carriers.  I believe it's just so that you can see better if they need to evacuate the aircraft after landing.  I would ask the airline personnel the next time you fly.  And, this question gets asked a lot, so you could also do some research and look at the many answers given for this question.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes it sure does have something to do with the passengers. You want to be able to see out the windows so that if you see fire out one side in an emergency, you'll exit the other. And yes, US airlines too. If the flight attendants didn't mention it, they screwed up the briefing.

Answer 3

The most crucial stages of any flight are during take-off and landing.  Passengers and Crew should be aware of outside conditions during these times in the event that anything should go wrong.  I've trained with a Greek and a UK Airline now and both taught me this procedure.

Answer 4

In case of emergency, the flight attendent needs to be able to inspect any part of the external aircraft should the pilot ask them too..

fire/smoke/flames and to make sure the flaps and reversers have extended properly...

It has nothing to do with the passengers...

PS... if they don't ask, then there are already enough windows open for them to be able to see what they might be asked to see...  but for a nightime flight when a lot of window shades are down, or when critical windows are shaded by passengers, this is when they most often ask....

Ex C-130 loadmaster US AF

Answer 5

so it will be easier for passengers to look outside in case of an aborted takeoff

Answer 6

Ive never seen them ask that before. Thats weird. Maybe its for you to see the run way while taking off. Or maybe for light.

Answer 7

so that if the flight attendants or you see something wrong you can report it before its too late