Originally Posted by
dalittle
Over the past several months on international flights, the pilots have begun to lock one restroom in the Business cabin for their use. I have seen this become a standard practice. Whilst we are in a long line waiting for the (now only one operating restroom) on the 767-400 aircraft, a pilot comes through, unlocks the restroom, uses it, then comes out and re-locks the restroom so it is inoperable for all of us.
This is a new thing they are doing (and only on Delta I might add) that really p*isses people off. I cannot recall ever standing in the Loo Line while observing this without passengers becoming surprised to see that, then getting royally angry about it. There are 40 passengers in Business on the 764 and now ONE restroom. How about that!!
What’s up with that?? Who else has observed this new practice?
I-happen to come across this post\forum inadvertently while searching for something else but as a Delta Pilot flying this aircraft I hope I can clear up your misunderstanding.
On the LHR to MIA flight for example, the flight time averages 10 hours this time of year. Using that time, the pilots (3 required) will get an average 3 hour break each. Two pilots are required to be on the flight deck at all times except for a restroom break etc. When one pilot is coming off his or her break, he or she will usually use the restroom to take care of the physiological needs, brush their teeth or whatever. When exiting the bathroom, that pilot will typically lock the restroom for the next two pilots to come out of the cockpit (been in there for 3 hours)and use the bathroom. Now one of the two pilots still in the cockpit, the one not going on break will use the restroom, lock it when finished and head back to work. And finally the next pilot going on break comes out of the cockpit uses the lav, and then UNLOCKS it for the pax use again. This drill takes place 3 times during the flight with each occurrence only lasting a total of no more than 10 to 15 minutes MAX of the lav being locked. This is done to expedite our return to the cockpit so the flight is operated as safely as posssible and in accordance with the regulations. In summation, the lav SHOULD only be unuseable for pax in this 10 hr flight example for a total of approx. 30 minutes.(10 minutes every 3 hours) I realize on occassion this may be inconvenient and there have been a few times when someone INADVERTENTLY forgot to unlock the restroom resulting in it being locked for long periods, but it is imperative the pilots are in the cockpit doing our jobs as much as possible with only very brief periods of interruption. We dont have the luxury of waiting 15-30 minutes to use the lav , which after 20+ years in this business is not uncommon. Hope that helps!