Many people whoregularly travel by airplanemay have been relaxing comfortably when suddenly flight attendants ask for cooperation to “ open the airplane window shades ” before the plane takes off or during its descent for landing.
Why do flight attendants insist on opening airplane window shades during takeoff and landing? Though it seems like a small step, it is important for safety. Captain Rock Saddy of Cirrus Aviation Services and Captain Adam Cohen of SkyWest Airlines have revealed the real reasons behind this, which Thairath Online summarizes for you.
In case of an emergency requiring passenger evacuation, passengers’ eyes already adjusted to outside light—whether bright daylight or nighttime darkness—can immediately see escape routes without needing time to refocus. This reduces the risk of tripping or crowding during chaotic evacuation.
Passengers seated by windows serve like excellent surveillance cameras. There have been real incidents where passengers noticed abnormalities such as smoke coming from an engine and promptly alerted flight attendants, allowing the captain to respond quickly and save everyone on board.
On night flights, cabin lights are often dimmed. Leaving window shades open lets moonlight, starlight, or city lights enter the cabin. If electrical systems fail and cabin lights go out completely, outside light helps reduce panic and enables passengers to see evacuation directions.
If an accident occurs on the ground, external rescue teams need to look through windows to assess internal conditions, such as fire or smoke locations. Simultaneously, crew inside must look outside to determine which side is safest for evacuation before deploying emergency slides.
If the plane must make an emergency water landing, opening window shades helps passengers see the horizon and land. This awareness improves their orientation and composure to decide which way to swim or evacuate to reach safety.
Opening window shades during takeoff and landing is not just a procedural hassle but a calculated safety measure. So on your next flight, if you hear crew announcements, please cooperate with understanding. The small actions we take could be key to saving our own lives and those of fellow travelers in emergencies.
Source:travelandleisure