JDiver

The Dallas ABC affiliate is WFAA - if it was on WFAA, they have not posted the video clip or information on their web site.

bbkenney

The report is accurate. I was on 888 from SNA to DFW on Sunday and they announced it.

I actually thought the traditional way was better. If you assume F is full of YUP; EXP and a few PLT it seems to me that we/they have earned what passes for a luxury on domestic FC. It wasn't strictly enforced which seemed to work out fine most of the time.

I, too, do not think this is terribly newsworthy one way or the other.

AAFA

First: I'm surprised it reached the media so quickly when AA has just made the decision and hasn't informed all of the crewmembers yet. I heard about it from a friend who just attended a meeting at headquarters.

Second: Security is so fun to say and we won't stop using it regardless of silly rule changes.

The TSA directive was always for international flights. AA just made it all flights for consistency. All the people on the plane may have access to the forward lav on a one class MAN flight but they all can't stand up there and wait for it at the same time. The whole idea about not using the front because of security was so that people can't congregate and block everyone's (crewmembers and passengers) visual access to the cockpit door. Now I don't know about you, but as a passenger I don't want everyone on the plane hanging out right outside the cockpit door. Call me paranoid.

The rule about not crossing cabins will remain in effect on international flights.

FAs and pilots are kind of confused why it was only an international rule in the first place considering that the flights that were used by the terrorists were all domestic flights. Then again it is the TSA we're talking about where few things make sense.

Personally, I don't care for the change, especially on widebody flights.

I can understand allowing people to use the forward lav on a narrowbody flight if the person is handicapped, if the cart is in the aisle, if the line is very long, and if one of the lavs is broken. I see absolutely no need to disturb the atmosphere of the first class or business class cabin if you are on a widebody with multiple coach lavs. No need whatsoever. What would be the point of using your miles or paying more if everyone on the plane is going to tromp through your cabin and disturb you?

What I think will happen is AA will reevaluate when all of their First and Business class passengers start to complain. It should be especially fun when the celebs are riding up front and the coach fans come waltzing up to stare at them or just to all around annoy them.

Just remember, though, that the rule might actually not take effect on all domestic flights. It will depend if your captain decides that he/she doesn't care for it. I think this may actually happen more often than not. If that is the case than you can't do it. The captain has the final word when the door is shut. AA and the pilot's union will probably duke this one out and I can almost guarantee you AA will back down.

We'll see.

roadtripman

I fully support this, for handicapped or disabled only. Right now, the laws are terrible for those people. I often travel with my 86 year old grandmother in tow, who is not exactly agile. Yet, the FA's force her to walk to the back of the plane to use the toilet (a very long, strenous, and potentially dangerous walk when turbulence occurs). These rules must be relaxed to accomodate those in need (but should remain in place for those non-disabled folk who are just too lazy to walk to the back).

Nick90274

I completely agree with you. Particularly for coach passengers towards the front of the MD-80 because it's quite a walk to the rear lavs. But, yea I'd definitely say only for flights w/o a front coach lav.

dayone

Like maybe 70 feet?

roadtripman

I think 70 feet is about right, for an M-80. It's still a tight squeeze through the aisle, though, which makes it seem longer than it is.

skylady

In the past, we have always been told that exceptions are allowed. It is very difficult to ascertain who does or does not have a health issue allowing them to utilize the f/c lav. I am thrilled that I will now be able to dispose of my honorary medical degree.

ZakkW

I also thought the rule was a crazy rule, but then I learned why it was originally enacted. Evidently, a bunch of "persons of interest" did a "trial run" where they monopolized a bathroom to make an exchange of something. They also congregated in aisles discussing "something".

I remember reading an article about it six months ago from a journalist who was on the flight. He/she seemed very freaked out, as were the other passengers on the plane. They all though it was a trial run for a hijacking. To the best of my recollection, everyone involved in the trial run was taken into custody but nothing was found. Other flyers are also believed to be on flights involving trial runs.

The article suggested that the rule was enacted to help prevent further such behavior, as airlines couldn't discriminate against which passengers it was going to prevent from using a certain bathroom in another cabin (especially one close to the cockpit).

Zakk

PresRDC

What a silly change. Why make the point of announcing it? Why not jsut be silent on the lav issue altogether on domestic flights.

Why would AA do something to devalue the F cabin -- especially something that brings with it no cost savings.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

vasantn

Agree 100%.

Japhydog

^

oldpenny16

Now it's on the front page of our local newspaper.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/16799722.htm

Seems to be true.

vasantn

First, they went overboard with the lav announcements and relating them to security. Now they've gone overboard the other way.

The F aisles are going to be clogged with Y pax lining up. Fun, fun, fun.

plasticman

Man, all I can say is that it must be a really slow news day in Dallas