The beverage service has no bearing on whether the sign is on or off. The Pilots don't even know what's going on in the back 9 times out of 10. They work the front and we work the back. They turn the sign on when they want to. As for whether you want to call it a forward lav or a First Class lav, I think that Elton might be the best one to address that.
As for the sign, I don't know what the company policy is for the Pilots regarding when they should turn it on or off. I agree that the Pilots are a little slow in turning it off compared to other carriers, and they are a little quick to turn it on compared to other carriers. What I don't get is why anyone cares - nobody every pays any attention to it anyway. In fact, it seems like people wait until it's switched on before they realize they have to use the facilities. As a F/A, all I can do is let you know that the sign is on, what you choose to do after that is just that, what YOU choose to do. The FAA only requires that we advise you that the sign is on. On the ground, before we reach the gate, unless we are on a non-active taxiway and the Captain has advised that it's okay, the choice is no longer yours to make. The FAA REQUIRES that everyone remain seated and the lavs are to be locked until we reach the gate. The lavs are locked so that the doors don't swing open in an evacuation and block access to the exits for the Pilots or the passengers. They are not to be unlocked until we arrive at the gate.
It never ceases to amaze me when we are bouncing around in some nasty weather, all the F/A's are seated, and someone comes to the back to use the bathroom. I've seen a co-worker shatter their leg in turbulence that slammed them into the ceiling, back down to the ground and then back into the ceiling again. Turbulence can be dangerous. F/A's are injured all the time, as well as unbuckled passengers, in nasty turbulence. I know that I care more for my safety then to bob and weave down the aisle just so I can go to the bathroom. I can generally hold it for a few minutes.
[This message has been edited by AS Flyer (edited 09-22-2003).]