Crew-only lav?
Apr 8, 2018, 11:47 pm
#1
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Crew-only lav?
I recently flew PVG-DFW on a 789, had a seat in Business in clear view of the forward lav next to the cockpit. For the entire 12-hour flight, it seemed like the lav was occupied. But in reality I think the crew locked it from the outside so they have exclusive use of it. This is what I observed:
Am I crazy or does this behavior sound fishy?
- Lav was locked from the outside most of the time
- Crew would unlock the lav whenever they needed to use it, then lock it back up afterwards
- It definitely wasn't broken, and no announcement was made about it
- The few times I actually used it when it was unlocked, the crew promptly locked it back up after I left. In one case, the crew member knocked on the door when I was going about my business!
- It didnt seem like crew were turning away pax who when to use the lav when it was unlocked
- No pilots were on break or otherwise hovering around the area
Am I crazy or does this behavior sound fishy?
Apr 9, 2018, 12:14 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Houston , TX
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I recently flew PVG-DFW on a 789, had a seat in Business in clear view of the forward lav next to the cockpit. For the entire 12-hour flight, it seemed like the lav was occupied. But in reality I think the crew locked it from the outside so they have exclusive use of it. This is what I observed:
Am I crazy or does this behavior sound fishy?
- Lav was locked from the outside most of the time
- Crew would unlock the lav whenever they needed to use it, then lock it back up afterwards
- It definitely wasn't broken, and no announcement was made about it
- The few times I actually used it when it was unlocked, the crew promptly locked it back up after I left. In one case, the crew member knocked on the door when I was going about my business!
- It didnt seem like crew were turning away pax who when to use the lav when it was unlocked
- No pilots were on break or otherwise hovering around the area
Am I crazy or does this behavior sound fishy?
Last edited by D3Kingg; Apr 9, 2018 at 12:19 am Reason: elaborate
Apr 9, 2018, 5:40 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Posts: 57
I saw this same behavior on a DFW-ICN flight in September. The front lav was locked almost always. I thought it odd. The common threads appear to be DFW, the 789, and north Pacific crossings. (I haven't noticed this behavior on LAX-SYD or LAX-AKL.)
Apr 9, 2018, 6:35 am
#4
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Maybe they were trying to prevent passengers from the main cabin from sneaking up front. Main cabin passengers constantly move forward into business class inflight attempting to take unoccupied seats or use the lavatories on China flights. I think this is a cultural difference. I have seen flight attendants open tray tables on open seats in business class as a deterrent. If that makes sense...............
Apr 9, 2018, 7:02 am
#5
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Apr 9, 2018, 8:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
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I have seen this occasionally for years. Some international FA crews (with I assume the permission or direction from the captain) lock a bathroom for personal crew use. Yes, they shouldn't do that but its not really a big deal. I've seen things so much worse.
Apr 9, 2018, 8:54 am
#7
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It was also indicated here
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28862394-post4.html
Apr 9, 2018, 1:12 pm
#9
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This happened on my DFW-NRT flight earlier this year.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:26 pm
#10
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I wonder if that was the intent on a flight from SYD-LAX last year -- the smaller F lav had its light set to on, which of course triggers the occupied sign as well. The FA laughed when I mentioned it -- claiming she never knew the two were connected. Certainly no admission of "guilt" (or intent) -- and otherwise fantastic service. (Fun fact, of the 8 in F, I think there was only one other "revenue" (SWU) F passenger, we both received first choice of everything before the remainder of the cabin).
Apr 9, 2018, 6:19 pm
#11
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That seems to be opposite of what I read in American Way before. I know I read something regarding this was only prohibited on international flights to the US
It was also indicated here
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28862394-post4.html
It was also indicated here
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28862394-post4.html
Apr 9, 2018, 7:45 pm
#12
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Since I am usually sitting near the front of economy, I rarely used the aft lavs. Have you been refused access to the forward lavs while in economy on a domestic flight nor ex-US international flight?
Apr 9, 2018, 10:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
My guess is that they were reserving it for crew use.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.
Apr 10, 2018, 12:08 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
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My guess is that they were reserving it for crew use.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.
True. Starting a fire would mean a crew member taking their eyes off the cell phone, standing up, and doing something.
Apr 10, 2018, 7:12 am
#15
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My guess is that they were reserving it for crew use.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.
But I do recall reading here once that if the lav smoke detector is not working, the lav can be used by crew, but not passengers. Logic being that the crew can be trusted to not start a fire, but the passengers can't be.