Ugh!!! I hate the “pull the shades down” routine on long haul or trans continental day flights. I understand it… it is all about the subdued, docile passenger of course. If you make it dark, they will watch silently and probably dose off. I know I do.

But let’s face it, from a technical POV it really is not necessary anymore. In the new Delta config, the screen quality is now so good that, unless the sun is directly glaring onto the screen, you can see the picture regardless.

And from a combatting jet lag POV it really goes directly against what every book and website says. Jet lag is best tackled with lots of day light, with changing to the new time zone the minute you step on the plane, and… most importantly, going to sleep when it is bed time AT YOUR DESTINATION! Not on the plane…

So, I hate the “pull your shades down” routine. And I also do not appreciate the dirty looks from other passengers when I am not playing along. I am doing it in your best interest