Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

“We will lock you in the bathroom during turbulence”

“We will lock you in the bathroom during turbulence”

Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:01 am
  #16  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Originally Posted by Shadowfactor
The way I've been explained it by several flight attendants is that they can't tell you not to go to the bathroom, only suggest that the seatbelt sign is on.

Sounds like they are forbidden from giving you a direct order thus you aren't violating any laws by going to the bathroom.
This is just my understanding and it may be incorrect.
That's basically what they told me on CX too. "We can't tell you it's ok, only suggest that you stay seated"
VegasGambler is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:39 am
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 137
But is it against the LAW?
CappuccinoAddict and seigex like this.
blueflyer3 is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:43 am
  #18  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
It's against the law under most circumstances for anyone to lock another person in a small room and not let them out.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:49 am
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,266
Never seen a lock on a lav door that only locks from the outside. The times they have locked it, all they do is lift the cover and slide the same lock that you use from the inside. So, nothing to stop you from coming out if they did.
nancypants likes this.
bchandler02 is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:52 am
  #20  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
Originally Posted by bchandler02
Never seen a lock on a lav door that only locks from the outside. The times they have locked it, all they do is lift the cover and slide the same lock that you use from the inside. So, nothing to stop you from coming out if they did.
How many passengers know that and how many of those would think of doing it if they're panicking because they're locked in a lavatory?
IndyHoosier likes this.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 9:46 am
  #21  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,190
Hmm, never knew that it would be best just to stay in the lav (seated) if necessary for landing.
I've had some "close calls" upon approach, but I think I've always made it out in time.
ijgordon is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 9:55 am
  #22  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
How many passengers know that and how many of those would think of doing it if they're panicking because they're locked in a lavatory?
Wouldn't most passengers have the door locked anyway?

The FA is probably just trying to be funny. Of course they are not going to lock you in the bathroom, even if they could.
nancypants and seigex like this.
VegasGambler is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 9:56 am
  #23  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,927
Originally Posted by bchandler02
Never seen a lock on a lav door that only locks from the outside. The times they have locked it, all they do is lift the cover and slide the same lock that you use from the inside. So, nothing to stop you from coming out if they did.
Op's lav door was blocked by the FA's seat if she didn't get up and move. It's a figurative "lock" because it's blocked. Not that they would use the door lock.
nancypants likes this.
TravelLawyer is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:27 am
  #24  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,153
Ugh, I'm getting secondhand anxiety just reading this. I can imagine in a few areas where this could go completely wrong and become needlessly escalated:

a) A deaf passenger goes in, gets blocked in. S/he cannot communicate or hear. Panic ensues, the passenger tries to break out. Police is called upon arrival.
b) A claustrophobic passenger gets blocked in. Panic gets to a point where s/he passes out.
c) A blind passenger gets blocked in, thinks s/he opened the wrong door, gets confused and flails around.

In no way is this right, at all.
MSPeconomist likes this.
MrAndy1369 is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:39 am
  #25  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,967
When the FA locks them out for takeoff and landing, they’re using the same slide lock you can open from the inside. There just manipulating it from the outside. You just had a crackpot spinning yarns, if this were an Envoy flight, I would have asked if her name is Carmen.
bchandler02 and nancypants like this.
DataPlumber is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:47 am
  #26  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
Originally Posted by Speedbird48
That FA sounds like a sad, sad, miserable excuse of a human being. If I was in that situation there would have been a lot of things I would want to say to her, but wouldn't.
Or she was kidding. A female FA recently threatened me with a spanking (I don't remember what for, but I told her that I deserved it).
catcher1 is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:53 am
  #27  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,757
Originally Posted by catcher1
Or she was kidding. A female FA recently threatened me with a spanking (I don't remember what for, but I told her that I deserved it).
If a male FA did that to a female passenger he would be hauled off to police and charged with sexual something. It would be all over the news.

enviroian is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 11:30 am
  #28  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 30,956
"Thanls for letting me know" and move on

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
How many passengers know that and how many of those would think of doing it if they're panicking because they're locked in a lavatory?
I would think almost any passenger would know that to get out of the lavatory that they had locked that they need to unlock the same lock, in the opposite direction. At least I would hope so.
chrisny2, bobert24 and nancypants like this.
CPRich is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 12:16 pm
  #29  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Originally Posted by DataPlumber
When the FA locks them out for takeoff and landing, they’re using the same slide lock you can open from the inside. There just manipulating it from the outside. You just had a crackpot spinning yarns, if this were an Envoy flight, I would have asked if her name is Carmen.
Sounds like your have a story about "Carmen" lol.
HofstraJet likes this.
AAdamE is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2019, 2:21 pm
  #30  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Originally Posted by Shadowfactor
The way I've been explained it by several flight attendants is that they can't tell you not to go to the bathroom, only suggest that the seatbelt sign is on.

Sounds like they are forbidden from giving you a direct order thus you aren't violating any laws by going to the bathroom.
This is just my understanding and it may be incorrect.
I was told is it is a liability to the airline if they tell you it is OK to leave your seat when the seatbelt light is on. So, don't ask permission if you need to go.
mvoight is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.