Originally Posted by Classzed
Some of you might be a bit more understanding of a "rush trip" to the lav if you suffered from a condition called overactive bladder.
I once flew with my mother (who suffers with this condition -- is even on medication for it) when we were delayed at the gate for over 30 minutes and then were in a long line-up for take-off. By the time we finally got in the air and leveled off, she almost didn't make it to the washroom. She was nearly in tears from the pain that she had to endure.
Not all situations are what they might appear so, next time you see someone rushing to the lav, please have a little compassion and think about what THAT person might be going through.
I sympathize with your mother's problem. That must be a very tough thing to have to endure. Maybe the FA could make an exception for a passenger with a similar problem during a particularly long delay.
The problem is when the plane is moving, and FAA regs. It's unlikely, but what if she fell and injured herself during a point when the aircraft was accelerating or braking. She could probably sue the airline for damages, even though she was wrong. Hopefully she would not be up during the actual take off and landing.
But, if you are 12th in line to take off and need to go in an emergency, I don't see why the FA couldn't make an exception. But, consider this as well---some pax might decide that if she can do it, so can I. And if the FAA ended up fining an FA and pilot for trying to be Good Samaritans, that just does not seem fair. So it is really a catch 22 situation.
I would advise someone in this situation (and I'm no doctor, so take it for what it is worth), to avoid liquids as much as possible before and during the flight, and to force yourself to go when possible (just before boarding, and in the air just before the seat belt sign comes on for the descent). I'd also say let the FA know about it.