What is the purpose of keeping the window shades open during take off or landing?

Question

"Ladies & Gentlemen, as we are about to land, please be reminded to keep your seatbelts fastened, tray tables stowed, your seat upright and the window shades open"

what is the purpose of each? seatbelts are obviously to prevent jerking forward, tray tables stowed to prevent hitting yourself when you jerk forward, sitting upright to prevent mild injuries with improper sitting position.... but window shades open?

just thinking out loud.

Answer 1

Its not an FAA requirement but a lot of airlines have it as their policy. Its so that in the event of an emergency evacuation the cabin crew can see the outside of the plane and asses the conditions. Like, if there is fire they can see it and tell people not to use the exits near the fire.

Answer 2

One of the reason is that people outside the aircraft can see what's happening inside the aircraft. Another reason is for passenger comfort. With the shades up, our eyes will adjust to the brightness level outside the aircraft before stepping out of it. Studies have been conducted on this to determine passengers' comfort level when experiencing sudden and gradual brightness change. Gradual changes prevents the passengers from experiencing a 'sudden flashbang' when getting off.

Answer 3

A plane that taxis with the window shades down is a possible sign of a hijacking to ground personal.

Answer 4

Some very creative answers.  The one and only is for visibility.  In the event of a crash, it allows ground rescue crews to see inside, and allows people inside better orientation.

Think about it this way.  If you were in a long tube without windows, the only way you would know what end was up was your sense of balance.  Even if you know what end is up, it may not be the safest exit from the aircraft due to fire or obstacles (water, debris, trees, etc.)  Having open shades allows passengers and crew to better plan an escape.

Answer 5

In case of certain landing they have spotters, air hottest who watch for ground traffic, from side widows, at night they keep most window shut but the spotters widows are only open and inside lights are dimmed as a rule.

Answer 6

during an emergency it allows in the unlikely chance an emergency crew can near your flaming aircraft they can see in to see who is alive to rescue

Answer 7

Tray tables and seats reclined slow the emergency evacuation.

Closed  window shades keep the passengers from deciding correctly which side of the plane to exit from.

Answer 8

I don't recall being told to close or open the window shade. My only guess is that if you are doing this, you may get your last look at life as you know it. It would be easier to escape through a busted out window with no shade down. In Viet Nam we kept the shades closed and cockpit dark departing and returning our base, we were just shy!