"Safety First" as we all know is the mantra for airlines and airliners. The very existence of commercial aviation exists because of people trust in its operational safety. In an industry where rules are written in blood; nothing is left to chance or risks.
When you take overall flight into consideration, the probability of mishaps are at the time of take-off and landing. Having said that, it is important for airliners to take precaution in all phases of flight.
Since aircraft is prone to danger while in ground, in the worst case, passengers are to be informed as quickly as possible. What better way to inform them than perceiving it from their own eyes.
Imagine this scenario, a passenger A in front window seat has his window shades closed while passenger B in back window seat has his window shades open. If a fire breaks out in the engine, passenger B is already aware of the situation and has begun to call for help. But passenger A has no idea what is going on. This lack of information and arising confusion will fill him up with fear causing him to make poor decisions.
There are plenty of cases where aircraft was saved because passengers identifying some kind of abnormality while the aircraft was taxiing. (Check this out: http://gizmodo.com/passenger-snaps-photo-of-fuel-pouring-out-of-a-dreamlin-1506027806 )
If the window shades are open, passengers really know what is happening and with that clarity of things they can make better decisions.
It will also help their orientations. Also, at a time of evacuation, rescue personnel can check for any trapped passengers.
It's better to be in light side than dark. May the force be with you.
Until Next time.
CK
That was a nice post. I was wondering what window shutters have to do with safety !
ReplyDeleteHaha. Thanks Man.
DeleteActually i think it's more for the comfort of the passengers.
ReplyDeleteLet's say everybody closes their windows at take off. The plane banks left considerably 1 minute after take-off and goes through some turbulence (both of these happen all the time). Inside, many people would be claustrophobic and would have motion sickness, because they would feel like in a closed box that someone shakes.
Just like using your phone in the car while it passes through lots of curves. You'll get nauseous quickly because you don't look outside.