The real reason flight attendants ask you to open the window blind before landing

Have you ever wondered why you, when enjoying a nice mid-flight nap, are asked to open the window to unleash the glare of a billion suns onto your retina before landing?

There is a reason, surely, for this abhorrence?

Tech Insider suspected as much and asked a flight attendant to explain why - obviously, it's for your own safety:

If there's an emergency, we have to be able to look out the window to assess outside conditions. If there is debris, fire, or water blocking the window, we won't use that exit and will direct people elsewhere.

It may seem like a small thing, but in an emergency, every second counts. You don't want to have to fiddle with a window shade when you're trying to safely evacuate a plane in 90 seconds.

Emergencies such as the obvious:

So now you know, and you better obey. Otherwise sharks.