Here’s A New One “the bathrooms do not work until 16,000 feet”
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
Here’s A New One “the bathrooms do not work until 16,000 feet”
GA today kept saying the lavatories do not work until you are in the air so go no. I laughed at it and figured it’s a way for people to not swim upstream during boarding.
After boarding i made made a joke to the FA’s about it and they looked at me dead serious (one did the other looked perplexed) saying it came straight from the captain not working until 16,000 feet.
I guess this is he is he one of a kind A319 with non functioning bathrooms?
After boarding i made made a joke to the FA’s about it and they looked at me dead serious (one did the other looked perplexed) saying it came straight from the captain not working until 16,000 feet.
I guess this is he is he one of a kind A319 with non functioning bathrooms?
Edit to my original story when I asked why I was told by the crew “this is on all planes” so I attempted to inquire and was dismissed
Last edited by vincentharris; Feb 14, 2018 at 5:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
If you don't want people to use bathrooms, just announce that the bathrooms are unavailable below 16,000 feet. Set the lock to the occupied position.
Don't say they "don't work" as that's an insult.
EDIT: it turns out I'm wrong
Last edited by davie355; Feb 14, 2018 at 8:25 pm
#5
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
Not merely false - totally patronizing, too. We are not preschool kids and don't need to be lied to.
If you don't want people to use bathrooms, just announce that the bathrooms are unavailable below 16,000 feet. Set the lock to the occupied position.
Don't say they "don't work" as that's an insult.
If you don't want people to use bathrooms, just announce that the bathrooms are unavailable below 16,000 feet. Set the lock to the occupied position.
Don't say they "don't work" as that's an insult.
#7
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
#9
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I can think of 2 flights I was on where the lavs didn't flush on the ground, but they did in the air . . . .
1) TATL B763. Three toilets wouldn't flush at the gate. They called in a mechanic while we all sat at the gate. He checked EVERYTHING he could, and, I'll never forget his words . . . .
Those toilets WILL flush once you're in the air - - - I'll stake my reputation on it! <Sure enough, they did! >
2) I used a lav at the gate once, and, the toilet didn't flush. A319/320, I think. I commented about it to a FA and was told it would work in the air - - and it did!
Something about pressure. I don't remember, exactly.
1) TATL B763. Three toilets wouldn't flush at the gate. They called in a mechanic while we all sat at the gate. He checked EVERYTHING he could, and, I'll never forget his words . . . .
Those toilets WILL flush once you're in the air - - - I'll stake my reputation on it! <Sure enough, they did! >
2) I used a lav at the gate once, and, the toilet didn't flush. A319/320, I think. I commented about it to a FA and was told it would work in the air - - and it did!
Something about pressure. I don't remember, exactly.
#11
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 71
Sounds like the vacuum pump which provides suction for the lavatories on the ground was unserviceable. The 16,000ft figure is from the Airbus MEL (minimum equipment list) instructions for dispatching with the pump unserviceable, as an estimate of when the differential between the cabin and outside air pressure is sufficient to provide suction to the system again.
Had this a fair few times as a pilot on A320s, we normally kept the seatbelt signs on and lavatory doors locked until they were usable again.
Had this a fair few times as a pilot on A320s, we normally kept the seatbelt signs on and lavatory doors locked until they were usable again.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,859
#14
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
After doing a quick search, I found this thread that I posted in May 2010:
Did'ja know that A320 toilets don’t flush til you hit 16,000 feet???
Did'ja know that A320 toilets don’t flush til you hit 16,000 feet???
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458