Why are window shutters open when taking-of and landing?
By mivvvy
@mivvvy (174)
Netherlands
October 9, 2011 5:58am CST
Airlines require passengers to open window shutters while landing and taking off. I am sure that this is a safety measure but why? I am sure the pilot can see the wings the tail etc. After all (s)he is the one who has to take action in case of an emergency.
Many years ago, in the days some planes still had propellers, One of them stopped turning. I could see it clearly as I sat next to the wing. I had to open my window shutter and could help looking at the propeller to see if it was working again. I was quite scared.
If I had not seen this, the flight back to our port of origin would have been less scary.
3 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
9 Oct 11
The safety measure is that in the event of a crash,Passengers can see outside to orient themselves and aid their escape,and also so that rescue workers arriving on the scene can see inside to where people might be trapped or injured...
@mivvvy (174)
• Netherlands
9 Oct 11
That makes sense, especially the fact that rescue workers can see who is inside. I remember an aircrash many years ago at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands. All members of a brass band were killed because they were transported in a cargo plane (don't know why), and the rescuers did not know there were ant people on board. cargo planes have no windows.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
9 Oct 11
Maybe they didn't want to be parted from their instruments,but You'd think most airlines would have space in the hold for most brass instruments..It seems unlikely that they were a band of Tuba Players.. I didn't know there were many cargo aircraft that would take passengers..
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
9 Oct 11
It is good to know someone thought of this and glad to know why we are doing things if it is for safety. I always try to help if it is for safety or security.
Yes that makes sense but I suppose it would not be very good to announce "in the event of a crash please open the..." It is funny I've never been afraid flying but have been in wonderment at all the things that make it go, so when looking over the wing once, I made the comment, "oh look one of the flappy things fell down" meaning that the flap as I learned to call it, moved down to a different place on the wing which is very normal and part of how the planes functions. A few people got very concerned when I said this wanting to know what part fell off the plane!!
@anklesmash (1412)
•
9 Oct 11
I had always wondered but i suppose it makes sense if you think about it..It must be a lot easier for emergency services to be able to see intointo the plane,i think when planes are hijacked on the ground the terorists close the shutters to make it harder for the special forces to monitor them and plan an attack.Another plane thing i heard is that they get you to adopt the brace position during a crash to protect your teeth so it is easier to identify your body from your dental records but that may only be a rumour.
@mivvvy (174)
• Netherlands
10 Oct 11
That is a macabre detail: brace position simply to protect your teeth for dental records. I read / heard (can't remember) another rumour. Brace position was invented by the airline industry because it kills people. This saves airlines from paying out injury compensation. I can hardly believe that this is true, but then you never know. People will do anything to save money.
@Novelangel (394)
• United States
10 Oct 11
Yeah, the brace position always looks to me like it would be the fastest way to die...head down between the knees, right where the seat in front of you can jam you in the head and break your neck. Yeah, that would probably do it.
@Novelangel (394)
• United States
9 Oct 11
I've often wondered about this too. I have yet to figure it out, although I DO know why they make us close the shutters in the first place...which is also annoying if you are trying to take pictures from the window. People are watching in-flight movies and supposedly the light from your window annoys them. lol.
@Novelangel (394)
• United States
10 Oct 11
Yep. Me too. I like to focus my camera out the window. Got some excellent shots of snow capped mountains during my last extended flight. (Detroit to Japan...12 hours...whew.)
