DEAR MISS MANNERS: Who is the boss of the airplane window?
I happen to enjoy sitting next to the window so I can look out at the scenery below and because looking out helps me feel less claustrophobic. However, many people prefer the cabin nice and dark so they can look at their various devices.
At 8 a.m. on a long flight, a woman asked me to shut my window. I explained that I liked it at least halfway up as it helped me feel less claustrophobic. She summoned the flight attendant and got that woman to insist that I shut my window completely. Not wishing to cause trouble at 10,000 feet, I complied, becoming bored and anxious.
Conversely, when I am in an aisle seat, is it rude to ask the stranger next to me to raise the shade, especially when landing?
So who is in charge? The person sitting right by the window, or everyone else on a plane?
GENTLE READER: The person seated by the window -- with limitations, of course. After all, the person on the aisle is in charge of access to the bathroom, but would be wrong to deny you yours. Compromises must be made.
In order to fend off future scuffles, Miss Manners suggests that you politely inform your travel companions of your window preferences as soon as you are seated. But if their preferences are more pressing than yours, then you should oblige.
I agree LL. If I have the window seat, then that is my choice. And, if the attendant made me close it, i would certainly write a letter to the airline. However, nowadays you really can't disagree with the flight attendant if they tell you do something.
There are certain times when the shades have to be shut. Not sure of the reason but I have heard announcements made about this on board. Also, if the sun is shining in the heat makes it uncomfortable for others. But I still think the window shade position is up to the person who is sitting there, especially now that the airlines consider those premium seats and charge more.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
They charge more for a window seat, now? THAT would be my response - "I paid more to sit here so that I can look out the window - you going to refund my extra fee?"
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
They charge more for a window seat, now? THAT would be my response - "I paid more to sit here so that I can look out the window - you going to refund my extra fee?"
Window and aisle seats are premium seats, the exit row, and seats forward of the wings I believe.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Wow. I didn't know they now charge more for those seats. More ways to nickle and dime us.
I'll be flying in October to California. Tickets are already paid for. I don't think I paid more. My son will get the window seat, and I'll take the middle. Likewise for my DH and my other son.
Wow. I didn't know they now charge more for those seats. More ways to nickle and dime us.
I'll be flying in October to California. Tickets are already paid for. I don't think I paid more. My son will get the window seat, and I'll take the middle. Likewise for my DH and my other son.
It depends on how full the flight is when you book. But yeah can't select just any seat. You will notice when selecting seats many are grayed out so you can't select them.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Yep. "Premium" seats are now just an isle or a window. They dont guarantee which one, but the do guarantee that you do not get a middle seat. Its a couple hundred dollars. Really...
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
I think it's more of a situation in which you need to compromise.
Be reasonable and remember you are sharing a small space for a limited time.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Window woman should have started talking complaining woman's head off.
Just non stop yammering.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I've always had pleasant air companions when traveling alone. If I don't sit with family members, they're usually laughing at me, making friends, drinking, etc. If I'm not getting to know my neighbor, I'm sleeping. Either way, I enjoy it.
The flights I've been on always announced window shades open during landing and takeoff and closed when going across the ocean.
That's it! The ocean factor.
Why?
Explain this to the non flyer.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
The flights I've been on always announced window shades open during landing and takeoff and closed when going across the ocean.
That's it! The ocean factor.
Why?
Explain this to the non flyer.
I don't know, I just do what I'm told. I do know on international flights because of the time changes it is so the passengers can sleep. Example coming home from Asia since we were losing 23 hrs we will be up for at least 24 hrs.
The flights I've been on always announced window shades open during landing and takeoff and closed when going across the ocean.
That's it! The ocean factor.
Why?
Explain this to the non flyer.
I don't know, I just do what I'm told. I do know on international flights because of the time changes it is so the passengers can sleep. Example coming home from Asia since we were losing 23 hrs we will be up for at least 24 hrs.
Yes, that's a factor. Also, is the plane flying east or west?
I prefer the aisle seat because I get motion sickness and have been known to puke, also I have a small bladder.
I do think the person at the window has the ultimate say. If, for example, the other lady was bothered by the light and trying to sleep she could have just draped something over her eyes
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Was it a bad day?
Or was it a bad five minutes that you milked all day?
