vagabond

View from 35,000 feet: Why we love window seats - Overhead Bin

I used to love the window seat, but these days, I need to be able to get to the lav quickly and getting past Tons of Fun in the middle seat is a hurdle I can no longer win.

Speaking of seeing things from 35,000 feet, I miss the old days when the captain himself would announce when such and such can be seen out the right side windows. Do you guys still do that? If not, why not?

etflies

I always prefer the window if I can get it. One thing I don't understand is people who take the window seats and the first thing they do is slam the shade down and leave it there for the flight.


If I'm commuting, however, I'm just happy to have any seat.

chrisreedrules

screw the window seat... been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. I just want to get where I have to go, I don't care where I sit.

Rebuilt

I am still a big tourist when flying. The sights out the window still hold fascination for me.

It is a shame that many passengers slam down the window shade as soon as they get in the seat. I have suggested to some that there are great views out the window, yet the shade remains closed or they will briefly raise the shade, look out, then close it again. I don't get it.

FlightGear

lol, yeah.. agreed. I once was in my third favourite seat, the escape hatch seat over the wing, window seat and was asked to shut the window by another passanger. When I refused he called the attendant.

My second fav seat is just behind the wing the so I can perv on the control surfaces.. I know, right, uber nerdy.

My fav seat is unfortunately a hypothetical, the flight deck windows observed from the jump seat.. Hey I can dream.

Timbo

For me it depends on the time of day and how long the flight is. Less than 3 hours, I want the window, so I can lean up against the wall and try to get some sleep....with the SHADE DOWN, if the sun is blasting in. This would be on the right side of the airplane giong north on a morning flight, or late afternoon, southbound.

Longer than 3 hours I know I'm going to want to get up to pee at some point, so I want the aisle seat, unless the flight is light enough that I may have an empty middle seat next to me if I get the window (rare, I know) and I'll only have to jump over one aisle blocker.

As long as the sun is not blasting in, I keep the shade open, as I like to sight see as well, but if the sun is coming straight in, hot and blinding, I'll close it until the angle has changed. I really prefer flying at night, as the sun is down and the lights of the cities are nice to see.

When traveling in uniform I seem to draw the tools sitting next to me, who have to make a comment like, "Can you fly it from back here now??"

Then I'll tell them I'm afraid of heights, close the shade (or two if I can reach them) put on my headphones and open a book.

Timbo

From above: "Speaking of seeing things from 35,000 feet, I miss the old days when the captain himself would announce when such and such can be seen out the right side windows. Do you guys still do that? If not, why not?[/QUOTE] "



Most of our trans-con airplanes have the new entertainment systems in them, which have both TV and movies at every seat. When we make a PA, it stops the movies and the TV. Then the flight attendants call us and yell at us to...

"Stop TALKING!! The Passengers are getting Pizzed!"

Back in the days of the 727, without movies, we would point out stuff all the time and the pax loved it. I flew with one Capt. who would always hand fly from Boston to Portland, Maine, at 3000', yoke in left hand, PA in his right, talking a non-stop stream, pointing out every little town in between. The Pax LOVED it!

More than once I heard, "That was Great! I could see my HOUSE!"

But now, with all the cellphone cameras that record every thing we do and say, instantly emailed to CNN, we don't want to have too much 'fun'. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law"

It could get you in hot water when the company sees it on CNN, usually before you've even gotten to the layover hotel!

Just ask that Jet Blue Capt...

Rebuilt

I hear folks talking all the time about how they love airline "ABC" because they have television on board. Even more disturbing is when I find out their flight was less than 2.5 hours long.

Really? You can't be disconnected from the television for a short flight like that? That is how you determine the quality of an airline?

Open the shade, enjoy the sometimes spectacular scenery, and maybe even read a book.

alarkyokie

Except in this case...
Flier Forced to Sit Next to Corpse for 10 Hours - Kenya Airways reimburses half her ticket cost

LNL76

The window seat lost its appeal to me when I started taking commercial flights to position. I don't mind one for a short flight, but HATE it on anything over 3 hours. I do miss the spectacular views sometimes, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for my comfort. IF I do get stuck with a window seat, the shade is ALWAYS open for take-off and landings.