On 2014-09-27, 4:57, Brad Rogers wrote:
> On Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:11:20 -0400
> Fred Kiesche <godelescherbach@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hello Fred,
>
>> They've done it on every commercial flight I've been on. Maybe it's just
>> trrrraaaadiition?
> Along with ensuring the window shutters are all in the open position.
> Like you, it's happened on every commercial flight I've undertaken.  You
> only really notice it though when taking off in the dark.
>

It's part of the emergency procedures.  In a situation where they have
to evacuate the plane, there's a good chance power to the lights have
been lost, so it's better to have everybody's eyes adjusted to that
light level ahead of time.  The shades are open so people have some
awareness of what's happening outside.

--
Edward Swatschek - edjs@bitslayer.net