:D

They are indeed!

Some carriers ask for those bags to be used to dispose of soiled diapers in the lavatories. So they really aren't all there just for barfing up things. :D

Yes, ~2 times in 4.6 million miles of flying....

I would think it would be safer for the passenger to stay in there than to try to return to their seat at that point. You won't go flying nearly as far if there's a sudden stop and they most likely will be seated anyway.

It's against FAA regs to not be seated and buckled in. There's no belts in the lavs, so they should have told the pilots and a go-around done if close to landing. I've had it happen on a flight. I've also had as described on a China Eastern flight. The FAs didn't care and didn't say anything. They just let it happen.

I am well aware of the FAA regs in this regard, but that doesn't really change what happens/is observed on planes -- yes, even US carriers -- from time to time.

At the last minutes of descent, an FA telling the pilots so as to prompt pilot/plane to do a last-minute go-around sounds like a more extreme -- and perhaps way more risk-inducing approach -- than doing nothing other than to make a verbal admonishment/warning directed at the passengers disregarding a seatbelt rule.

wrong forum

You must be among those who are blessed with an iron stomach and have never had a UTI. And judging from your screen name, you're a man. So, here's a handy list of reasons someone might have to use the lav as soon as they board -- none of which can be planned ahead:

* Sudden urge to urinate, including because of a UTI or enlarged prostate
* Sudden need to defecate, including diarrhea
* Vomiting caused by a tender tummy, food poisoning, pregnancy or other issues
* The onset of one's menstrual cycle
* The immediate need to empty one's ostamy bag
* The need to wash one's hands
* The need for tissues to stem a bloody nose

Add to that:
* Just got off a previous flight and had to run to make a connection, all while in need of the bathroom

This one I get.
But if you just spent an hour next to a washroom, even with a medical problem - *especially* with a medical problem - wouldn't you relieve yourself before boarding?And yes I was referring to passengers who walk on the plane, stow their bags, and head immediately to the head. Only that. 10 or 20 minutes later? How's that curious?

First stress can stress sudden urge.
Then travelling with younger kids.
Happened to me a few times. Travelling with a 5 year old son.

Was told " NO he cant use the bathroom and NO he cant "pee" in his pants either'.
Figure that one out.

Really? FA said that?
That's just lame.

Seen such things happen before.

Worse than that was the time where that kind of thing was said by the very FA who prohibited one very young kid with his dad from using the forward lav in a single-aisle flight where the back lav was blocked even as the same FA didn't prohibit a somewhat bigger kid with a mom from using the same forward lav. And it had nothing to do with pilots using the forward lav.

Seriously? You've never had diarrhea, thought your intestines were empty and then found yourself racing to the bathroom five minutes later? You've never had a UTI that leaves you with the uncontrollable urge to pee every five minutes? You've never found yourself vomiting and then realize you have to vomit again five minutes later?

If the answer to those questions is no, then consider yourself very very very very lucky. Do you really think anyone intentionally wants to find themselves rushing to the bathroom every five minutes? Bodily functions are often outside of one's own control.