Originally Posted by
sluggoaafa
If and when a pilot does say drinks in coach are free (which has happened many times) then there is no question from the company on why the pilot allowed it. So yes, the Pilot is ultimately in charge of that aircraft, and can change the rules onboard his/her plane.
It's company policy to get you from A to B, but if they have to land at C for emergencies or refuel, they can make the rule change because it is needed...ever hear the term...Pilot In Command?
Besides, the lav policy is stated in the back of the American Way magazine.
The examples you cite are what I was referring to with my statement "If it happened rarely, I would think that there were circumstances that justified it on that particular flight, but it happens constantly." When the pilot says drinks in coach are free, it is unusual and the pilot has a reason for making the exception. The same for a diversion. The reasons are normally either obvious or explained to the passengers. Countermanding the company policy on lav use is not unusual, it is the rule rather than the exception. There is never an explanation of the reason for not following policy, and it is not readily obvious to the passengers.
Perhaps I should have said "If a pilot says that drinks are free on every single flight he flies, I suspect that AA would have a discussion about violating company policy with him." Better now?