A former airline pilot has shared the chilling reason why the window shades on planes must be lifted up upon 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, shared insights into his time 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 currently resides in Henderson, Nevada, also worked as a ground school instructor for Air Vegas Airlines. So, with this wealth of knowledge, it’s safe to assume that he knows a thing or two about air safety. 

Indeed, when asked if there are any essential safety tips that we might not be aware of, Professor Bubb shed light on one common feature of air travel that may puzzle passengers. 

He said: “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 shared some advice to help people have a more comfortable trip when they take to the skies. According to him, it all comes down to being “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 explained: “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.”

Noting that flying can indeed be “stressful”, he suggested that making flying “more enjoyable” can be achieved through small gestures, such as being courteous, keeping the volume low on your devices, and helping others. 

He also stressed that flight attendants are there for the safety of passengers, and a “little kindness can go a long way”, adding that he personally likes to buy Starbucks gift cards for them, saying it can “brighten” up their day.