United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - CO Policy? F-Class Must Be Seated When Pilot Uses Restroom

I was on the IAD-HNL flight last week and was surprised when the cabin staff directed that all F-Class passengers remain seated when the Pilot was out of the cockpit to use the restroom. For me, the timing was quite bad as my son chose that time to spill his drink on my lap. As a long time UAL flyer (Global Services), I made an issue with the cabin staff that I never heard of this policy. It then became clear that it was a Continental Policy and this crew made it clear during the announcements at the start of the flight that they were a CO legacy crew. Unexpectedly, a UAL representative met me upon arrival to discuss my concern and advised that at present the policy differences between CO and UAL will take some time to work out so for now it depends on the crew you get. It's always annoyed me that the forward lavatories get blocked on an extended basis for pilots use but the idea that all passengers have to remain seated seems really excessive.

Post 9-11, on every US airline, when a pilot comes out of the cockpit, the forward area is blocked off or all passengers are prohibited from approaching.

While this may seem excessive to some, it is a common sense security measure, so whether you are GS or 1K, it applies to everyone.

Post 9-11, on every US airline, when a pilot comes out of the cockpit, the forward area is blocked off or all passengers are prohibited from approaching.

While this may seem excessive to some, it is a common sense security measure, so whether you are GS or 1K, it applies to everyone.

I think the OP's issue was being forced to sit in his or her seat, not whether he or she could "approach" the cockpit.

Post 9-11, on every US airline, when a pilot comes out of the cockpit, the forward area is blocked off or all passengers are prohibited from approaching.

While this may seem excessive to some, it is a common sense security measure, so whether you are GS or 1K, it applies to everyone.

excess reference was to remaining seated, not blocking forward area

I could understand it if they didnt block the aisle with a cart or the fencing some planes has. But as long as they have that and are manning it as well, just another DUMB CO policy

I could understand it if they didnt block the aisle with a cart or the fencing some planes has. But as long as they have that and are manning it as well, just another DUMB CO policy

I got in a heated debate with the purser about this while sitting in Business IAH-SJC (Paid) in Feb. I was told it was going to be 5 minutes. After 15 minutes, with no movement in the cockpit door, I stood up to use the lavatories in the rear of the plane, and got yelled at for standing up. Ignored it and navigated the line and the service cart to actually use the restroom.

It's a [ridiculous] policy and isn't announced nor stated ahead of time.

I got in a heated debate with the purser about this while sitting in Business IAH-SJC (Paid) in Feb. I was told it was going to be 5 minutes. After 15 minutes, with no movement in the cockpit door, I stood up to use the lavatories in the rear of the plane, and got yelled at for standing up. Ignored it and navigated the line and the service cart to actually use the restroom.

It's a [ridiculous] policy and isn't announced nor stated ahead of time.

Even if it is announced its still [ridiculous]!! as long as Im not trying to get passed the cart or fencing everyone should be able to stand and dance if thats what they want to

why cant I stand up and walk back to coach to use those lavs???

Hey -- in Texas, when something seems as though it will be beneficial to 'Merica's security, it will be done, and you will gladly sit down and take it.

For sure not on UA legacy flights. Just recently got up on the upper deck 747 and walked downstairs to the rest rooms. A really stupid policy also seeing how long they sometimes block the forward area.

Hey -- in Texas, when something seems as though it will be beneficial to 'Merica's security, it will be done, and you will gladly sit down and take it.

I thought them Texan's were an independent folk who could stand up for themselves, not some cry-babies who need to be coddled into feelin' safe at every turn.

It's a shame the airlines continues to live by fear with policies such as this.

CO Policy? F-Class Must Be Seated When Pilot Uses Restroom

NONSENSE! :mad:

Correct that one cannot approach the f/c head if the one of the pilots is using it but wrong that the entire f/c cabin must remain seated. If I need to use the head, I'm gonna go the the business class one (if applicable) or trod down to the village and use the one there-plane and simple.

Sounds like crew training issue. I was on 4 back-to-back sCO flights last week. On all of them, when a cockpit crew member was out of the cockpit, F pax were simply directed to the Y lavs (2 of them 757's, so not even a real detour).

I hesitate to call things "policies" because a crew member says something. That said, it's worth sending in a note to UA. You will get back gibberish as a response, but they do appear to tally complaints and take broader action when there are lots of them.

I got in a heated debate with the purser about this while sitting in Business IAH-SJC (Paid) in Feb. I was told it was going to be 5 minutes. After 15 minutes, with no movement in the cockpit door, I stood up to use the lavatories in the rear of the plane, and got yelled at for standing up. Ignored it and navigated the line and the service cart to actually use the restroom.

It's a [ridiculous] policy and isn't announced nor stated ahead of time.

15min? :mad:

Just like pilots, passengers need to tinkle!

I also ignore the fasten seat belts signs and use the bathrooms during flight. Anyone who has flown long haul on a European or Asian carrier, will realize that UA turns on the seat belts signs at the slightest bump and keeps them on for 30min at least! :(

I also ignore the fasten seat belts signs and use the bathrooms during flight. Anyone who has flown long haul on a European or Asian carrier, will realize that UA turns on the seat belts signs at the slightest bump and keeps them on for 30min at least! :(

You may have flown with the same pilot ! Not all UA pilots (especially PMUA ones) will turn on the sign with the slightest turblence.

On the other hand, I have flown on SQ, even with moderate turblence, was difficult to walk in the aisle, had to hold on to each seat while walking, still didn't turn on the sign !

15min? :mad:

Just like pilots, passengers need to tinkle!

I also ignore the fasten seat belts signs and use the bathrooms during flight. Anyone who has flown long haul on a European or Asian carrier, will realize that UA turns on the seat belts signs at the slightest bump and keeps them on for 30min at least! :(

Air Canada seems very relaxed with the seat belt sign. I feel like at 20K feet they are off.

I was on the IAD-HNL flight last week and was surprised when the cabin staff directed that all F-Class passengers remain seated when the Pilot was out of the cockpit to use the restroom. For me, the timing was quite bad as my son chose that time to spill his drink on my lap. As a long time UAL flyer (Global Services), I made an issue with the cabin staff that I never heard of this policy. It then became clear that it was a Continental Policy and this crew made it clear during the announcements at the start of the flight that they were a CO legacy crew. Unexpectedly, a UAL representative met me upon arrival to discuss my concern and advised that at present the policy differences between CO and UAL will take some time to work out so for now it depends on the crew you get. It's always annoyed me that the forward lavatories get blocked on an extended basis for pilots use but the idea that all passengers have to remain seated seems really excessive.

I think the REAL issue is this whole "operated by your CO crew" nonsense -- it still persists.

Regardless of the policy, the service/delivery sounds typical for a bunch of ex-COns.

15min? :mad:

Just like pilots, passengers need to tinkle!

I also ignore the fasten seat belts signs and use the bathrooms during flight. Anyone who has flown long haul on a European or Asian carrier, will realize that UA turns on the seat belts signs at the slightest bump and keeps them on for 30min at least! :(

I a 6'11" and when I need to go I got to go. Sign or not. If the fence is out or the cart is blacking the way up front I will go to the back.

I expect the marshall is looking at me to make sure I don't do anything crazy, but when I got to go I got to go!

I think the REAL issue is this whole "operated by your CO crew" nonsense -- it still persists.

I wish they would stop announcing it to because it sounds like we are better then others and my experience is their whole delivery model for customer service is really lacking compared to PMUA. I guess if you are sub-par it is OK to call attention to yourself in the COdbaUA universe.

As a PmCO flyer, I've never seen or heard of this. I've used the bathroom in the back plenty of times while the FAs barricade the front.

A few "wet" FC seats would likely lead to a rapid change of policy. :o

A few "wet" FC seats would likely lead to a rapid change of policy. :o

But you might have to sit in that seat for the rest of the flight to make your point!

As a PmCO flyer, I've never seen or heard of this. I've used the bathroom in the back plenty of times while the FAs barricade the front.

Ditto.

As a PmCO flyer, I've never seen or heard of this. I've used the bathroom in the back plenty of times while the FAs barricade the front.

Agreed...this is not a policy on PMUA or PMCO.

But with everything on FT, one experience makes it policy ;)

I was on a recent AS flight in F. The pilot was just about to come out of the cockpit and FAs were starting to block off the area. I did not even look to the front and started to get up and make my way to the bathroom.

I was yelled back by 2 FAs and was shell shocked in my seat - for a moment I thought we were making preparations for ditching in the Pacific...

Did not feel nice but they also did not want to take any chances...

15min? :mad:

Just like pilots, passengers need to tinkle!

I also ignore the fasten seat belts signs and use the bathrooms during flight. Anyone who has flown long haul on a European or Asian carrier, will realize that UA turns on the seat belts signs at the slightest bump and keeps them on for 30min at least! :(

I have more respect for the flight crew and the rules. I never violate posted instructions. But I do read on occasion in Avherald some of the injuries which happen when people are not strapped to their seat.

I have more respect for the flight crew and the rules. I never violate posted instructions. But I do read on occasion in Avherald some of the injuries which happen when people are not strapped to their seat.

But as long as your not hurt, it does not concern you. Most long time, TATL, TPAC passengers get to know when it's ok to take your seat belt off. Could we make a mistake & take it off at the wrong time? Sure but that's our problem. If crews stop using the seat belt sign as a form of "crowd control" and only put it in when necessary, I for one would always leave it on when the sign is lit. But until that time, I use my judgement

Air Canada seems very relaxed with the seat belt sign. I feel like at 20K feet they are off.

Agreed! Flew them last week and had to claw my way to lav as the sign was off while we were still on the climb! ^

If crews stop using the seat belt sign as a form of "crowd control" and only put it in when necessary, I for one would always leave it on when the sign is lit. But until that time, I use my judgement

^^

After a few segments on foreign carriers, the US carrier use of the seat belt signs is annoying....

^^

After a few segments on foreign carriers, the US carrier use of the seat belt signs is annoying....

After many times being invited into the cockpit for take off / landings (mostly before 9/11) on BA, EK, MH, CX - I noticed on the 777 & 744 they don't even manually turn the seat belt sign on/off (except during turbulence). They leave it on "AUTO" so it goes off above 10,000 feet and back on below 10,000 feet. They don't even need to touch it.

^^

After a few segments on foreign carriers, the US carrier use of the seat belt signs is annoying....

It can be more than annoying, it's more like crowd control.

This has happened on DL flights. The FA will move the carts to block the bathroom area while the pilots are out of the cockpit. You are not allowed to stand in line to go to the bathroom. I understand why this is a rule,with the pilot is out of the cockpit, someone could rush the cockpit (not that a cart would stop someone I suppose) but by everyone remaining In their seats less likely to happen, they do not announce it because if there really was someone on the plane wanting to cause trouble, why let them know when the pilot is out?