Why do airplanes make you raise the window shades before landing?

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Patrick

Upon landing, airlines will turn off the lighting in the cabin and ask passengers to open their windows so their eyes will have time to get acclimated to the lighting conditions outside in the event an evacuation is needed.

Imagine the scenario if an airline left the cabin lights on during landing in the evening and the power goes out. Passengers will have difficulty seeing in the dark and this will slow down the evacuation as they wouldn't be acclimated to the darkness.

To a lesser extent, the same is true for a daytime evacuation as passengers would be blinded by going outside from a dark cabin.

Eclipsepearl

I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and we were told in training to make sure the window shades were open during take-off and landing for several reasons.

First, the interior lighting should match outside as much as possible for take-off and landing, which is helped by opening the shades. We had to adjust the cabin lighting accordingly, either full-bright for a daytime landing or completely off for a night landing.

This means time isn't lost during an evacuation when people are either blinded by the outside light or need a second to adjust to the dark. It can't be matched exactly but even a slight adjustment either way can help.

Second, in a crash, the emergency lights should go on. Even if they didn't, the passengers would have any outside light to help them find an exit. It would help their orientation. In either case, having as much outside light as possible, logically, is helpful.

Lastly, after the evacuation, any rescue personel from outside can see inside the cabin more easily, to see if anyone is trapped inside.

There have been claims that it's so that the authorities can do a "body count" after a crash by looking through the windows. This is so absurd and illogical, it doesn't merit comment. This appeared in a book which was meant to be a comedy on the airline industry and now some believe it to be fact.

Another small plus, which isn't the reason for the rule, but if anyone gets airsick, it's good if they can see outside. On descent, you can get stuck in a "holding pattern", not fun for those who are prone to getting motion sickness. Seeing the ground, even if far below, helps equalize their inner-ear balance.

Please let me remind you that in an emergency evacuation, do NOT grab any of your bags. As soon as the plane comes to a complete stop, follow crew members', and only crew members', instructions. If you are supposed to get out, do so and don't take anything with you.

If there is someone else having trouble exiting their seats, evaluate the situation and only help if you can do so quickly. In most cases, it's better to take note of the location, evacuate yourself and immediately tell any rescue personel on the ground and/or crew members where the help if needed.

Hopefully that's information you never need to use! Just a small public service message...that could save your life!

It's nice to have the window shades down during the flight but for take-off and landing, the most dangerous portions of the flight, it's more practical to have them up. Everyone really should be awake at those times anyway so even if the sun is in their eyes, they'll be on the ground shortly anyway.

Don't be afraid to ask the crew any emergency questions next time you fly!

keagkid101

That is because if there is an emergency, they want you to see the landing circumstances (i.e: in water) and that you are prepared.

Neil

This gets asked every week or two. I suggest you look at previous answers. Some of them are correct, and others are amusing. (Hint: the reason is safety-related.)

aflumpire

So if the aircraft was to crash, or be in some type of emergency' rescuers could then see into the aircraft.

Think about it; you are a rescuer and you want to save as many people as possible. You can see people that are dead, and others that are alive, but you also see closed window shades. You think that the people behind the shades are alive, but you are not entirely sure.

So who's life would you save first? The person that you know that is alive because you can see them, or try to save someone where you dont know if they are dead or alive because their window shade is closed??

Fly in the highest (mari)

because if an accident happens ..you can see what's going on and

than can safe lives

Hmmmm

maybe i haven't flown enough but i have never heard any such order.

Livin' Life

For communication purposes with the tower. If they are down it can obstruct communication.

casaouia

Because the attendants are too lazy to open them after you land ;)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090222105151AA6WxOq&r=w

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