Airplane window shutters?
Why is it on airplanes when you land that you need to open the shutters on the windows when landing/taking off? i can understand turning off electronic equipment etc, but whats the reason for the shutters?
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 personnel 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 personnel 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!
It is in case of emergency.
- The power may fail and outside light could help you see if the shutters are open.
- You can see out, and therefore could see hazards such as fire.
- Rescuers could see in.
References :
If the landing fails and the plane ditches – e.g landing gear failure – the rescue services can see into the plane
References :
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 personnel 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 personnel 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!
References :
Former Flight Attendant, 13 years, 2 companies
The shutters need to be open so that the passengers and crew can see the situation outside the airplane in the event of an emergency. This allows them to see if an exit is blocked, etc., for purposes of evacuation.
Contrary to what some crewmembers have apparently been led to believe, the shutters don’t have to be open for rescuers. Rescuers don’t simply glance through the windows to see if there is anyone to save, they enter and inspect the entire airplane. There’s no guarantee that every survivor will be sitting with his face in the window, even if the shutters are open, so whether they are open or not, the rescuers go in.
References :