window blinds shut in aeroplanes. why?

[evedawn]

we've just done another long distance flight and yet again the stewards come round just before landing and takeoff and close every blind. we've been on other trips where the open every blind instead. wondering why really?

[gadgetgeek]

So you cannot see the state of the country you are returning too!!!! The reasons why crew may close the blind is to prevent bright sunlight enter the cabin and therefor let pax sleep longer. The blinds should be up for take off and landing to help in case of emergency.....you can see out and get your bearing to help evacuate plus rescue crews can see in for casualties and fire.

[coccinelle]

Which airline were you with? In Europe I've noticed they open them before take off and landing as gadget says it's for security. However, in Fidji they were closed and it was nightime!

[evedawn]

we did wonder if it was for security. like both of you have said. thankks

[sitges]

I have experience that several times and if I remember correctly it have to do with the sun at a very low angle in the sky. It has something to do with the reflection and people looking into the rising or setting sun . Don't really know why by that was what we were told at the time.

[kira000]

They are required to change the blinds open and closed depending on whether it is light or dark outside when you land, incase there is an emergency landing, so your eyes are adjusted to the level of light. i.e if you had to rush out of the plane in an emergency and down the slide, and it was dark in the cabin, you would struggle coming out into bright sunlight, and vice versa.

So, i would hope they closed them as it was fairly dark outside. If they closed them and it was daytime, i'll be a bit concerned.

Not unusual in hot places for them to close the blinds AFTER landing, to stop the sun heating the plane up too much.

Hope that helps.