The Lav Straddle
Aug 22, 2019, 7:02 am
#1
Formerly known as tonivitanza
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 70
The Lav Straddle
Seriously, don’t do this. If the aisle passenger is asleep, just wake them up. I actually talk this over before takeoff, esp. on a longer flight. If I’m window or middle, I ASK my rowmates how to best awaken them in case I must. If I’m on the aisle, I tell them how to wake me and insist they do so if I’m asleep and they need to get up. Honestly, no joke, if I awaken to find someone straddling me with a crotch or butt in my face, I can’t guarantee how I’ll respond.
Last edited by SCToni; Aug 22, 2019 at 7:05 am Reason: Missing words
Aug 22, 2019, 7:28 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
I'm glad you mention it to people- I'm pretty limber and usually attempt it to avoid waking someone up. (I also try to time my lav visits to avoid it- if the middle or aisle person gets up to use the lav I head there, too if there's any chance I might need to use it during the rest of the flight.
Aug 22, 2019, 12:27 pm
#5
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Aug 26, 2019, 12:29 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
Sep 2, 2019, 11:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Sep 6, 2019, 6:07 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Seriously, don’t do this. If the aisle passenger is asleep, just wake them up. I actually talk this over before takeoff, esp. on a longer flight. If I’m window or middle, I ASK my rowmates how to best awaken them in case I must. If I’m on the aisle, I tell them how to wake me and insist they do so if I’m asleep and they need to get up. Honestly, no joke, if I awaken to find someone straddling me with a crotch or butt in my face, I can’t guarantee how I’ll respond.
Others - especially snorers - say 'if you dare wake us we can't control our actions' (some snorers even say they will punch someone who wakes them).
What is it with people unable to control their reactions on a plane?
And how do we ordinary folk manage the minefield of wake v no-wake??
Sep 6, 2019, 6:23 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 75
I'm amazed at the people that go long flights without ever hitting the lav. Like 12 to 15 hours. I always try to wait for my seat mates to make their trip so I don't have to disturb them, but that doesn't always work out.
On a recent 14+ hour flight to Korea I was in the window seat and around 4 hours in, after the meal service but while my seat mates were still awake I put my stuff away, folded the tray table, and said "sorry" in English and Korean while pointing and looking aft. The older lady next to me just stared blankly at me until her daughter explained to her at length that I needed to get up. She chose to just fold her legs and I had to disturb the people reclined in front of us and do the lav straddle.
On a recent 14+ hour flight to Korea I was in the window seat and around 4 hours in, after the meal service but while my seat mates were still awake I put my stuff away, folded the tray table, and said "sorry" in English and Korean while pointing and looking aft. The older lady next to me just stared blankly at me until her daughter explained to her at length that I needed to get up. She chose to just fold her legs and I had to disturb the people reclined in front of us and do the lav straddle.
Sep 6, 2019, 7:47 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
I did this once on JAL, TYO-JFK, back in '04. I was in a middle seat in J, 2-3-2 configuration. I'm still amazed that happened but I was younger and foolish-er!
Sep 6, 2019, 9:31 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Programs: United Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Lufhtansa Miles and More, British Airways Executive Club.
Posts: 2
For those with bad backs
I'm so glad someone is talking about this. I fly United Business Class where the configuration is usually 2-1-2 in a 767. They are now upgrading their aircraft to the business suites where every seat is on an aisle. This eliminates the need to step over your fellow passenger. About one year ago I was seated at my favorite window seat and had to go to the Lav. I didn't want to wake up my neighbor, so I stepped over his flat bed and did my business. After landing and checking into my hotel in London, I started having lower back pain. I had aggravated my herniated L-4, and spent the next 3 days in my room. Now I always take the aisle seat.
Sep 6, 2019, 10:25 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 324
(Yes, I do the Lav Straddle when I get up, especially if I'm flying with my wife who requires an aisle chair to board and deplane.)