Why is it when during Airtravel, must you have your window shutter open for take-off & landing?

Question

"Please have your tray table up..Seat in the upright position & your shutter open.."(How on earth does it being open or shut affect Aircraft safety!??)

This was during domestic flights in Australia (Virgin & Jetstar)on Sunday

Answer 1

It is for staff and passengers to see if there is anything wrong with the aircraft (such as smoke coming out of the engine) during take-off and landing since pilots are located in the front of the plane and cannot see what is happening to the rest of the body. They can notify the pilots immediately if they spot anything unusual happens.

It applies to any airlines. If you haven't been told by the staff, you might have your shutter opened already or the staff just missed you.

It's just like any other safety measures - cannot leave seats, wear seatbelts, tray table up and seat in upright position during critical moment in take-off and landing.

Answer 2

There is no FAA regulation that stipulates passengers must open the window shades for take off or landing.

However, some flight attendants do include this into their safety repertoire. The mindset behind it is, in the event of an emergency, it would make it that much easier to assess conditions outside of an aircraft if an evacuation was warranted.

As for the seats and tray tables, there are many good reasons for this. The seats are not locked until they are in the upright position. So, if there is, say, a hydraulic failure on landing, and you are snoozing in your reclined seat. If your seat isn't locked, you are going to be in bad shape on impact. They will be picking pieces of your head out of your fanny for months.

The tray table issue: Imagine yourself flying down the runway at about 180 to 200 miles an hour. At the last split second, the pilot has to abort takeoff, which means he SLAMS ON THE BRAKES!! If your seat belt was even a wee bit loose, that tray table could just about slice you in two.

There really are reasons for all the things you think are ridiculous. But hey, it's for your own safety. I'm double buckled in my jumpseat, I'll be fine in an emergency. If you don't want to comply, don't. But really, think of how ridiculous that is? You aren't hurting me when you decide not to ensure your own safety.

Answer 3

First, FAA emergency evacuation regulations require that an airliner be able to empty out completely, using all available exits, in 90-120 seconds, depending on the size.

Second, 80% of all aircraft accidents and incidents happen during takeoff and landing. It's a statistical fact (www.ntsb.gov) that made the FAA re-examine the rules about takeoffs and landings.

With those two things in mind, realize that in order for everyone to get out of their seats, into the aisle, and to the nearest exit, all things must be out of the way. That is why not only do the seatbacks nad tray tables need to be up, but all the luggage needs to be stowed either overhead, or below the next seat.

Also, you may be wondering why it is now mandatory to have the window shades open during those same phases of flight. This is to help orient people to which way is up in the event of a crash.

All of these rules are designed to get you out of an aircraft as fast as possible, to save your life, in a non-fatal crash.

Remember, many people who die in plane crashes don't die because they hit the ground. They die because they could not get out of the aircraft fast enough, and either suffocate, or burn to death. When the flight attendant tells you to locate your nearest exit, make sure you take the time to do it, it may save your life someday.

For all of you that have never heard of this before, perhaps you should stop fiddling with your ipods and listen more closely to the safety announcements.

Answer 4

I've never had to do this before, maybe it is just during certain times of the day when they take off or land.
To the poster below...I always listen to the announcements as I rarely fly I like to be told of any new safety things that may come up...I have never heard of the shutter open rule on any of my flights. Even on my international flight last year to Europe.

Answer 5

To provide sufficient mild (throughout daylight hours, that is) in case of a blackout. Maximum vigor is used in the course of take off , and vigor is saved too when landing by turning the cabin lights off. At night time, well, more commonly is the identical rationale and also psychological since those moments can also be essentially the most stressful for the passengers and watching via the windows is less claustrophobic.

Answer 6

well this actually by the fedreal aviation rule made world over by IATA(International Air Travel Association) and such thing is required because while taking off they wont bother u for window tilt or open....the only time its required open is during landing its because Ait traffic requires such things...and its also for cabin crew to make sure and let the pilot know if they see anything suspicious or really close during landing

Answer 7

Hmm.. I've been on a log of flights and I've never had to have my shutter open durin takeoff or landing. That's kinda odd... Hmmm.. Maybe it's an airline thing. I've never been on that airline before.

Answer 8

to grant adequate mild (for the time of daylight hours, it is) in case of a blackout. maximum capability is used for the time of take off , and capability is saved too whilst landing by ability of turning the cabin lights off. At nighttime, properly, probably is a similar reason and additionally psychological when you consider that those moments may be the main stressful for the passengers and searching in the path of the homestead windows is way less claustrophobic.

Answer 9

What- In case you need to jump out the window? That's redonkulous. Do they want you to keep them open to see what you are going to crash into?
There is no reason, just like the cell phones off during flight.

Answer 10

I would imagine you would fall out if the window was left open during these times. Its a safety precaution but it assumes people are really stupid and may try to open a window.