Why do the Airlines have a policy that All window blinds are to be opened at takeoff and landing?
Who says that there IS such a policy? If the sun is in my eyes during takeoff and landing, I will close the blind, and nobody has ever said anything to me. I always hear announcements to put my tray table up and put my seat back up to normal, but nobody ever says anything about the windowshades.
This was discussed a bit 2 months ago.
The most relevant information can be found here http://www.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/far-91.txt in sections 91.103, 91.105, 91.107, 91.515 and 91.517. There is nothing about blinds needing to be open. Next time you are “ordered” to open the blinds, ask what section of FAA regulations require it.
I think it’s the section that says “Thou shalt do what the captain says”.
Well, now that I am armed with the FAA regulations, that’s what it’s going to take to get me to open the blinds. And I assure you that the captain is going to have some sharp words with the Flight Attendant about bothering him with such stupid things.
We posed the same question to our flight attendant while flying home from Hawaii. He said it was so if there were a problem outside (engine smoking, on fire, fallen off, etc.), they would be able to see it and alert the cockpit. ie:
Flight Attendant comes running into the cockpit. “Engine number one caught fire and fell off!!!”
Pilot: “So is that what that blinking light was about!? Good to know. Thanks.”
Regards.
If keeping the blinds up is that important a function, than why is it not a FAA regulation? I would wonder about an airline that was worried about engine fires at take off. Perhaps their maintenance is not great. Perhaps their planes are too old.
::scratching TWA off my approved airlines list::