Here’s A New One “the bathrooms do not work until 16,000 feet”
Feb 14, 2018, 3:56 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2004
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They weren't B-S-ing you...differential pressure is what drives the flushing of the toilets on many airplanes. On the ground (or below 16,000 feet for the A320), you dont have enough of a differential pressure so a vacuum generator is used on the A320 to produce the required pressure differential. In this case, it sounds like the vacuum generator was inop, but once you reach 16000 feet (according to Airbus for the A320 family aircraft), the 'normal' differential pressure would be enough to enable the toilet to flush...
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
Feb 14, 2018, 4:07 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Venice, Florida
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sometimes you have to go lol...especially when they pull close to the gate and make you wait a really long time. Ive been guilty of that a few times but only when desparate!! I usually ding the flight attendant and ask though.
Last edited by nlkm9; Feb 14, 2018 at 4:08 pm Reason: left out
Feb 14, 2018, 4:29 pm
#18
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Feb 14, 2018, 4:47 pm
#20
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So I am hearing the A319/A320 lavs don’t work because of pressure but I have flown these planes countless times and always used the lav in F if needed.
In fact on all my A319/A320 flights in the past this is the only time DL has said this
In fact on all my A319/A320 flights in the past this is the only time DL has said this
Feb 14, 2018, 4:49 pm
#21
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They weren't B-S-ing you...differential pressure is what drives the flushing of the toilets on many airplanes. On the ground (or below 16,000 feet for the A320), you dont have enough of a differential pressure so a vacuum generator is used on the A320 to produce the required pressure differential. In this case, it sounds like the vacuum generator was inop, but once you reach 16000 feet (according to Airbus for the A320 family aircraft), the 'normal' differential pressure would be enough to enable the toilet to flush...
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
sometimes more information to people people is better then less....
Feb 14, 2018, 4:50 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2006
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Below 16k feet, the lavs use a vacuum pump to flush. Above 16k feet, the lavs flush on the differential pressure between the cabin and the outside air.
On your flight, the pump was likely inop. But they can fly without it, the lavs just don't work until 16k feet.
In this case, the crew told the truth, very specifically. Yet half the people here called them liars. I give the GA props for keeping passengers informed, especially before boarding.
Feb 14, 2018, 4:52 pm
#23
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How hard to say all that? Well pretty hard. Why not just believe the FA? Or ask them why, instead of mocking them? They are adults, treat them with the smallest amount of dignity.
Feb 14, 2018, 4:57 pm
#24
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they try to sell Amex cards in the air, the captain has to tell me every small story, but they couldn’t say “the vacuum pump is inoperable on the flight today as such lavs work only in flight”?
Feb 14, 2018, 4:59 pm
#25
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The GA said it. The FAs said it. They told you it came from the pilot. Yet you still were so sure they were dumb and you knew better.
Feb 14, 2018, 5:02 pm
#26
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Ugh I give up forget this thread.
Fyi it it took two pilots posting in this thread to tell me this so it’s not exactly normal information. I asked why couldn’t somebody treat me with dignity and just say why?
from the non pilots of the world this sounded ridiculous. I can admit I’m wrong and I AM ADMITTING I WAS WRONG.
Fyi it it took two pilots posting in this thread to tell me this so it’s not exactly normal information. I asked why couldn’t somebody treat me with dignity and just say why?
from the non pilots of the world this sounded ridiculous. I can admit I’m wrong and I AM ADMITTING I WAS WRONG.
Feb 14, 2018, 5:46 pm
#28
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Ugh I give up forget this thread.
Fyi it it took two pilots posting in this thread to tell me this so it’s not exactly normal information. I asked why couldn’t somebody treat me with dignity and just say why?
from the non pilots of the world this sounded ridiculous. I can admit I’m wrong and I AM ADMITTING I WAS WRONG.
Fyi it it took two pilots posting in this thread to tell me this so it’s not exactly normal information. I asked why couldn’t somebody treat me with dignity and just say why?
from the non pilots of the world this sounded ridiculous. I can admit I’m wrong and I AM ADMITTING I WAS WRONG.
They weren't lying to you when they said they did not work under 16,000 feet.
Imagine if people are boarding any someone hears half of what the pilot tells you about the toilet situation and just hear broken plane.
Feb 14, 2018, 5:56 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2015
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Actually more than likely totally true. The lavs on the Airbus flush due to differential pressure. On the ground where the pressure is equal the aircraft uses a electric vacuum pump. If that pump is inop the flight can be dispatched however the MEL specifies the toilets not be used until 16,000 feet when enough differential pressure will exist to insure they flush properly.
Feb 14, 2018, 8:23 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Actually more than likely totally true. The lavs on the Airbus flush due to differential pressure. On the ground where the pressure is equal the aircraft uses a electric vacuum pump. If that pump is inop the flight can be dispatched however the MEL specifies the toilets not be used until 16,000 feet when enough differential pressure will exist to insure they flush properly.
Wow, that's good to know. I apologize for assuming that I know more than I do. I hate when people act like I did
