dumb airplane question

[The Ocho]

During the pre-takeoff speech on all 4 flights I took this past week, the stewardess instructed passengers to put up their window shades. Why would the windows need to be "open" during takeoff?

(fwiw- during landing, no window shade instructions were given)

[Shajen]

so you can see the ground rushing up to meet you as you crash.

I honestly have no idea.

[MrTrik]

I've never experienced this. Was the plane on a flat escalator sort of device?

[MrTrik]

[ QUOTE ]
so you can see the ground rushing up to meet you as you crash.

I honestly have no idea.

[/ QUOTE ]

He said takeoff not landing.

[Shajen]

ever see a plane take off then crash shortly after? That's what I meant.

[BeerMoney]

I think if you can see the horizon, you are less likely to get motion sickness.

[MrTrik]

[ QUOTE ]
ever see a plane take off then crash shortly after? That's what I meant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah. Gotcha. Whooosh ... went right over my head.

[MelchyBeau]

I have never heard of this before either. Though I rarely pay attention to what they are saying.

however google is your friend in this. Section G

It seems to deal with the possible need for an emergency evacuation of the airplane. more windows open will mean easier to see where you are going.

Melch

[jba]

if the windows are open the passengers will not be blinded when the fuselage rips open and you have to get out

also, when the plan inevitably crashes and bursts into flames, the ground crew is better able to look into the plane to figure out who needs some saving.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

Aerodynamics... and structural stability... plus a little bit of weight distribution. There's a couple fluxes involved - it's complicated.