United Airlines is making two small but notable changes to its in-flight procedures, tightening one requirement while loosening another.
Effective February 01, 2020:
- Personal electronic devices may remain plugged in for taxi, take-off and landing
- devices must still be unplugged in the exit rows
- Passengers will be instructed to keep window shades open during taxi, take-off and landing
Leave Your Electronic Devices Plugged In On United
The instruction to unplug your electronic device(s) prior to pushback and again before landing will no longer be made. Instead, only exit row passengers will be asked to continue to do this.
United now has onboard power plugs installed throughout its mainline fleet and in my experience, flight attendants carefully police the aisles prior to departure to ensure devices are unplugged (unlike airplane mode, where no one seems to care).
While not apparent why United made this change, United clearly doesn’t think leaving cords plugged in will present a safety hazard in non-exit rows in case of an unexpected emergency that requires evacuation.
I’d still be cautious, however, about leaving your devices plugged in. I’ve witnessed “surges” from time to time that don’t have any safety impact on the aircraft, but can render the whole row of plugs inoperable for your flight (or at least require a reset). In worst case scenarios, that could damage your electronic device. However, I don’t see any risk in leaving your USB cable plugged into your monitor like the picture above.
Keep Your Window Shades Open For Taxi, Takeoff, And Landing
Adapting what most non-US airlines around the world already require, United will ask passengers to open and keep open window shades for taxi, takeoff, and landing.
But this will not be required. While customers will be strongly encouraged to keep the window shades open, it is not actually required by law or by United and will ultimately remain optional.
Already I’ve heard reports of flights attendants forcing people to open window shades, much like we already see on European and Asian airlines. Just note that the actual directive makes clear that this is a request, not requirement, though the new announcement will sound like a requirement.
CONCLUSION
Although the changes go into effect officially on February 01, you’ll likely hear the new announcements before then (if not already). The new directive was transmitted via internal memo on January 16th and many flight attendants have already adapted the new pre-boarding and pre-arrival language.
I’m rather agnostic toward these changes, since I always keep my window open for takeoff and landing and don’t plan to leave my devices plugged in. But let there be light…and power.
How do you feel about these two changes?
I have always felt that window shades should be open during taxi, take-off and landing in order to maximize situational awareness in case there is an incident. Bravo to United for taking this step.
I thought that was the law already
Another safety-related difference I encountered on a European airline (maybe Air Malta, I’m not sure) was the pre-flight questioning of exit-row occupants.
Instead of the standard US-standard question, the FA asked told us that we were obligated to get everyone in our area off the plane safely, then asked us individually if we would “accept that obligation.”
Everyone said yes, but it really did hit home the importance of our knowing what to do in case of an emergency. I appreciated it.
Already had a flight this week where I fell asleep prior to landing and the FA did not wake me up to tell me to unplug my device. Nice minor change to be sure.
All exit row passengers and flight attendants should have to do 10 push ups in front of the entire cabin.
We need to feel confident in them.
Good one debit! 😉
We do, every year — do you?
You keep your window open? I doubt that. Lol.
Means nothing. I refuse to fly UA on the 787s as they force windows to be locked and ignore pleas to open them. The heck with that.
Pa100: Nobody wants a dark airplane to be lit up by one imbicile that hasn’t embraced electric light yet.
I mean would it really kill anyone to leave the window shades up for taxi, takeoff and landings? It’s a safety and security thing. If the taxi lineup is long, one can keep the shade partially down, and open it fully when the plane gets to the run-up pad awaiting take off clearance.
silly petitfoggery. Just run the airline well and take care of the passenger equal or better than the competition. All the petitfoggery means and does nothing for safety, punctuality, or Grade A service. Must be the work of some silly committee.