xolinlevh

Flying to Atlanta this morning and noticed during the usual FA blurb they pointed out the restrooms in the rear of the cabin and "also one in the front of the aircraft" made no mention of it being for first only. Right now as I sit in 2A there are 3 coach pax hovering next to the front restroom waiting and chatting. Is this an official change or just FA not enforcing the separation of the cabins?

davetravels

I've had it both ways - - In the announcement - - NOT in the announcement. Also, enforcement is about the same - Sometimes Y pax attempting to use the F lav are asked to go to the back - Sometimes not - and Sometimes, a mixture during the same flight.

Bottom line - Is there an official policy and just lack of enforcement, or do they just not care?

cmd320

I was under the impression that federal law required passengers to use only the lavs designated for their cabin. At least that's an announcement I've heard more than once.

deltadiva

It's all about First Class Monetization. Coach passengers can now pay extra for use of First Class toilets!

xolinlevh

I was never sure if it was a strict rule. Now that it was mentioned I do think I've heard the "federal law" line about remaining in your cabin. Normally I don't care if a person comes up and uses the F lav. But the grouping I found very annoying. A couple decided they liked the view out the 1AB window and were leaning over people to look and point at stuff which I sorta found rude. I don't believe coach beverage was still going on but not positive.

davetravels

A CO FA once told me that it was against FAA regulations to go to the lav in my socks.***

***After all the horror stories I've read here, I simply don't do that any more!

richardinmotion

What about PM/DM in EC?

I_Can_Fly_US_Airways

They announce that it is, but it is NOT a federal law!

SoCal

They usually say it's for security reasons, not federal law. As noted, unevenly enforced. I would think it could vary by type of aircraft.

DaDaDan

I've been given the Federal regulation line specifically as it relates to in-bound international flights to the US. Not sure if it is still true as I haven't flown internationally in a while.

davetravels

It's EASY for a FA (or other front line employee) to blame anything and everything on "REGULATIONS"!

mbwmbw

As stated by another poster it's part of the FCM process. By allowing coach kettle to use the FC Lav it exposes them to the FC cabin with hopes that next time they will pay for it.

Often1

1. If this was an international flight, movement between cabins is prohibited by DHS, not FAA (DOT). And, that rule permits cabin crew broad discretion and that broad discretion results in the rule largely being honored in the breach, the smart thing being to consult with a crew member before invading hallowed ground.

2. On domestic flights there is no such rule. Air carriers are required to have a safety & security policy and to file that with FAA (DOT). Once filed with DOT, the failure to enforce the policy becomes a violation. It is a distinction without a meaning.

3. The stated reasons for requiring use of lavs in ticketed cabin are safety & security, not DYKWIA. I take it that the aircraft landed safely?

WWGuy

My peeve is when FC passengers use the forward coach lav on the 757 instead of the forward lav in the FC cabin.

cmd320

Ahh, that makes sense. Now that I think about it, most of the time I hear it is on a westbound TATL.