Are Dixie Cups in the aircraft lavs necessary?
 

Are those Dixie cups found in the lavs really necessary? Have recently taken note of them again and guess what, they're always stocked. How many fellow FT'ers actually use them or could they be discontinued (sorry to tempt fate).

Ever brushed your teeth on the plane?

Dixie cups-necessary?
 

Yes but didn't feel that using a cup that was exposed to airborne germs for however long was appropriate!

Just because you find those cups unnecessary and unhygienic doesn't mean that they are unnecessary and unhygienic for others. We all have different habits.

Besides, are we supposed to be assured that your toothbrushing habits are better without using those cups? Do you wash your hands before gargling water from them, and do you wash your hands again afterwards? Also, do you use warm water and soap and rub your hands for at least 30 seconds and not a second less? Let's not even talk about you ingesting germs from your own hands, but you would also be spreading germs to your fellow passengers with everything you touch. :rolleyes:

I use the dixie cups when I brush my teeth. With the airplane faucets, not having them would make it very challenging to get enough water to rinse your mouth out.

Don't drink the water!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4063883.html

Only use bottled water to rinse when brushing on a plane. Yes, I use the cup but if in F you can always ask for a glass...

:eek: I'm surprised the nicer airlines don't provide bottled water in F ...

+1

And didn't one of our resident FTers' child do a science experiment on this a decade or so ago? I think they won a science fair or two, and even had some national media exposure on it.

I am far from a germaphobe, but I won't touch airplane water on a bet. Seems as if more often than not, the tanks themselves are crawling with pathogens, not to mention the airborne contaminants that settle on the cups.

Yes, I take my bottled water into the bathroom and brush with me. If I'm out bottled water, I ask the F/As for a glass of water and take that in there with me. (Yes, I know I'm picking up germs just by stepping into the lav, but again, not a germaphobe, just trying to minimize my exposure, especially if I'm about to start 2 weeks in Asia).

Exactly! Not sure who else has enjoyed the book Full Upright and Locked Position but it's a great read. One point - which was new to me - was how the pressurized system that removes waste from the toilet is so strong that there is frequently airborne waste (finer than mist) in the air after flushing. It also touches on how awful onboard water is - especialy on international planes. Defiantly don't put your mouth on one of those dixie cups :D

I've gargled with water from Kolkata's municipal tap to fresh lakes and streams in the Adirondacks. You don't drink any of them, and airline tap is cleaner than both (for toothbrushing).

Does the water to make hot fresh poo, eh, coffee, come out of the same tank as the hand washing water?

Helps if you close the lid first...

Yes, that was l'etoile's son. A few years on, we were in a hotel in El Salvador. We turned on CNN and found it covering an article about exceptional teenagers. Her son was one being profiled.