A former airline pilot has revealed the chilling reason why aircraft window blinds must be raised during take-off and landing. In an exclusive chat, Daniel Bubb, a Professor in Residence in the Honours College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a former airline pilot for Air Vegas Airlines, offered insights into his career as a commercial pilot.
Professor Bubb served as a First-Officer who predominantly flew Beech 99s from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, as well as flying from Ontario Airport to other cities in Southern California.
The 51-year-old, who now lives in Henderson, Nevada, also served as a ground school instructor for Air Vegas Airlines. So, with this extensive experience, it's reasonable to say that he understands aviation safety.
When questioned about crucial safety advice that passengers might not know, Professor Bubb highlighted one common aspect of air travel that may puzzle travellers.
He explained: "One safety tip I highly recommend is putting the window shade up during take off and landing. This is something I see very frequently that is concerning.
"The reason why the window shades should be up during take off and landing is, if there is an emergency, the flight attendants need to be able to see which side of the aircraft has the emergency.
"Also, if passengers are flying at night, their eyes take time to adjust. If the window shade is up, their eyes already are adjusting, which will save time when they have to evacuate the plane."
Professor Bubb also revealed some guidance to help travellersenjoy a more pleasant journeywhen they take flight. According to the expert, it all boils down to remaining "patient and positive".
He pointed out that, with packed terminals, travelling can sometimes be "frustrating and exhausting", but also offered a series of tips to help people get the most out of the airport experience and, of course, ensure they're comfortable.
Professor Bubb advised: "Before they get on the plane, I would recommend passengers walk around the terminal to get some exercise, especially if they are going to be sitting in a plane for several hours.
"Also, some airports have interesting amenities such as museums, local artwork, gift stores, and fitness gyms. Additionally, to make their trip more enjoyable, I highly recommend passengers be nice to flight attendants and each other."
Acknowledging that air travelcan prove "stressful", he proposed that making flights "more enjoyable" could be accomplished through small gestures, such as showing courtesy, maintaining low volume on your devices, and assisting fellow passengers.
He emphasised that cabin crew are there for passenger safety, and a "little kindness can go a long way". He also revealed his own habit of buying Starbucks gift cards for them, saying it can "brighten" up their day.
