Random Security Measures

[€uroMeinke]

Recently, when I flew out to San Antonio, I heard a new safety/security measure. While preparing for take off, the usual spiel of seat up right, tray tables in the upright locked position, came this additional instruction: "All window blinds up?" That was odd, I thought - How could that be relavent? But as I landed in Phoenix, the same instructions were repeated for landing, and again for take-off on my second leg, and once again for that landing. Ok, I thought, there's a new safety instruction.

Flying back though, again two flights - nada. No reference to shades being up. So now I wonder, was something up on Saturday requiring this new unusual measure (thoughts of spy cams scanning the faces of passengers as they take off and land)? Or was this a bogus measure meant to play a joke on the passengers that day?

Will I get in trouble with the TSA for posting this?

[Moonliner]

I'm afraid you have been a victim of an on going policy aptly titled security theater (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_theater). Which is defined as: " security countermeasures that provide the feeling of security while doing little or nothing actually to improve security"

In a system based on creating the illusion of security the "terrorists" become anyone that would speak the truth (http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/27/2124231&tid=172).

[Stan4dSteph]

I've been asked to raise my shades for takeoff and landing as well. I'm not really clear on the reason, and it's not consistently enforced if there is a valid reason.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

If I were you, I'd email the airline and ask them why...when their only answer is "because it makes you safer" you can add your experience to the Wikipedia entry that Moonie linked to.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I think this may be more of a safety measure, than a security measure. Taken from here: (http://www.tripso.com/archives/2006/09/peeves.html)


Shades up on takeoff and landing. “Why?” a reader asked. “Sometimes I think the flight attendants are just on a power trip. Here I am, pupils scorched by the sunlight, desperate to get some shut-eye, and I have a flight attendant yelling at me to put the shade up.” Answer: In an emergency you will need to have the shades up so you can see what is happening outside the aircraft.

If something bad is going to happen on an airplane, it's probably going to happen on takeoff or landing, so it makes sense to be aware of the environment outside.

[katiesue]

I've had the shades up spiel a few times as well. And I couldn't figure out why either, it's not like the pilot needs to have a clear view through them.

[NirvanaMan]

Actually they have been doing it for many years. Before 9/11 even. It's unpleasant and occasionally not enforced, but I would say I see them do it on 80% of my flights...even when in first class. Some nerve!

:)

[Stan4dSteph]

Perhaps it's so you can alert the pilot to the gremlin on the wing.

[eighteenth street]

I've never experienced that personally but it doesn't sound too sinister. I agree that it's probably just so the passengers can see out of the plane if anything happens on takeoff or landing.

[€uroMeinke]

I'm sure I'll be plenty comforted to watch myself spiral into the ground