JMN57

After millions of miles, I saw something new today.

CLT-LGA on Eagle. After we're in the air, go back to the lav after 1st vodka. Noticed two things. 1st - panel above lav with security seals - makes one wonder whats behind the panel. Then notice that a packet of ground coffee is secured by the baby changing panel. Did do a great job of making the lav environment less objectionable. Asked FA about it and he said it must of have been prior crew and senior FA's do that. Anyone see coffee in the lav before?

Tony10s

Yes many times over the years

Father-of-3

It makes a significant difference. I've used the trick in shoddy hotels too

chinatraderjmr

Coffee is one if the best deodirizers there is. I smoke & keep a big bowl of it in my den. I've seen it often on aircraft. Makes a big difference

ESpen36

Really works!

JMN57

I guess I am not very observant in the loo. Is that a curse or a blessing?

Upgraded!

I don't think the security seals are about protecting something sensitive behind the panels, rather they are place there to know that they've not been tampered with and presumably there are things that need to be checked if the seals are broken.

Not sure the significance of those panels in particular, but I'm curious whether it has to do with where the smoke detecters are located?

jphripjah

Sometimes I'll take a cup of coffee and newspaper into the airplane lav if I know I'm going to be in there a while.

WIRunner

Because that will not attract any attention.

FlyMeToTheLooneyBin

Drinking coffee while doing your business simultaneously. Efficient!

JY1024

As this topic is not necessarily specific to AA, we'll shift this to TravelBuzz for broader discussion. Thanks! /JY1024, AA and TravelBuzz co-moderator

chinatraderjmr

Me too but w a nice cigeterrte as well

CLTmech

Ah yes, tamper seals... The great fiasco idea of trying to be 'safe' (depending on how you look at it). These things, in my opinion, are more of a pain for MX due to the fact that they don't stick well to some of the surfaces in the lavs, or are stuck on things that the average traveler would have no clue how to open (or reasonably have the required tools).

Referring to the OP: generally there are 2 panels in the lavatory ceiling (depending on design); one for the smoke detector & PA speaker, and one for the supplemental oxygen (removed). There isn't really a whole lot of room behind the ceiling, and anything that someone might try to hide will most likely slide down the back to the lowest inaccessible point anyway.

janetdoe

I saw an interesting one last week. The FAs had torn perfume sample strips out of magazines and tucked them into a couple of nooks and crannies in the lav. I think coffee is a better idea, though.

cogitate

This is quite common; I've seen it many times in the F lavatory. I always assumed the coffee was placed deliberately by the FAs, not by customers.