in an emergency evacuation I’d rather have people’s eyes adjusted to standard lighting of both outdoors and indoor lighting so in the case of needing to evacuate they won’t be blinded upon leaving the aircraft

Edit: I’m reviewing the FARs and policy for this right now in fact, the only orders that can be used in the US is the raise your window shade for takeoff and landing not closed. It’s actually not recommended to keep the blinds closed for eye adjustments.

Edit 2: let me rephrase I’m well aware that commands given by the crew are legal orders, I’m well aware that at the gate crews will request to keep the blinds closed. But closing blinds for takeoff is incredibly uncommon, and in fact not recommended by the FAA, keeping your shade closed during taxi for heat is understandable during takeoff I’ll go as far as to say this action was dangerous on her part

And I’ll link United’s FA policy for this: https://unitedafa.org/news/2022/3/8/when-seconds-count-a-clear-view-matters-for-safety#:~:text=While FAA regulations do not,cabin safety industry best practice.

Final edit: for everyone down voting I’m willing to bet this FA is probably a bit junior, mis understood the captains briefing or the policy, asking to close shades on the ground/ during taxi is one thing. REQURING IT, is dangerous, even more so during takeoff, you’ll end up blinding the passengers in an emergency evacuation when going from dark to bright like that. If I could link the policy here I would. I’m also saying this as flight deck crew member btw not just some schizo on the internet