"Lavatories cannot be used below 16k feet on this plane"???
 

Currently on AA1311 and tried to use the lav after boarding (no restroom near gate) and was told by an FA, "the lavatories on this plane don't work under 16k feet, you can't use it, there should have been an announcement at the gate." There was no announcement and I've been on plenty of 737-800s before that haven't had this restriction. Is this crew just petty and full of BS?

I don't fly American a whole lot, but have each of the past few weeks due to work trips to DFW, CLT and MIA, but I'll keep connecting through ATL or ORD and stick with DL/UA if this is SOP.

Quite possibly they aren't BSing you. There are a few threads around here about it. Not exactly sure for 738's but it may be similar.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delt...-000-feet.html

I just can't believe that. We're now in a tarmac delay due to weather (thunderstorms in MIA have caused the ramp to close), after which point the pilot has said catering still needs to service the plane before we can depart. Airlines are required to provide working lavatories during tarmac delays, I find it hard to believe the FAA would certify a plane that is physically incapable of providing a working lavatory on the ground.

Why assume that the crew is giving you BS? Why assume it is SOP? When the most logical explanation is a mechanical fault with the particular aircraft?

I've been on flights where the lavs were inop on the ground and below a certain altitude because the system used to flush is based on pressure, which doesn't work on the ground, and the vacuum system normally used on the ground was broken.

He has the lavs physically locked. Now, I could easily pop the plate and unlock them, but not worth the fight. Though I would love to be deplaned right now, at least there are restrooms in the terminal.

I have seen these stories on FT and they are all strange to me. I have flown just as many aircraft types/carriers as the rest of you and not once have I ever seen this happen IRL. There are "always" people using the lav before door close on most aircraft. This just doesn't make sense to me. Even the Mad Dog can "flush" on the ground..

If the FA had explained that on the initial request my response would have been different. Instead, he simply said that the lavs couldn't be used on the ground as if that was normal and expected, hence my inquiring if it's SOP at AA. They have finally allowed people to deplane to use the restrooms.

NIce scientific answer. So why does the passenger care about what goes on below deck. Can't they still take a whizz in the commode anyway?

because if that answer is correct, it won't flush on the ground

Then why wasn't the OP told the lav is INOP below 16K feet because of a MX issue, not that you cannot use the lav on this aircraft below 16k feet because that is how it was built? That makes a world of difference. Was this announced thru the PA system for the kettles in back who tried to use the lav as well and did they experience the same response? This whole thing sounds like a MX issue that was not told to passengers.

It's up to the CA to explain maintenance issues

OP was told that the lav on this plane did not work below 16K ft. Which was a true statement.

OP choose to interpret it as this is how it was built.

It was a MX issue.

It happens. No need to make a huge deal of it, IMO.