jef7

On a recent flight to NRT on a 747, I was one of the first passengers on board. After stowing my bag and setting magazines and a newspaper on my seat, I decided to use the lavatory prior to departure. The aisle was now clogged with other passengers trying to board, but being on an exit row, the lavatory was just across so I easily excused mysef from other passengers who were standing and gathered around my seat area. I pushed on one of the lavatory doors with some force, and to my shock, an elderly lady who was sitting on the toliet started screaming in horrror "Stop!" "No, no, no!"

I was mortified at that moment, and some of the other passengers looked at me in disbelief, then, I guess thankfully, started laughing. I immediately slipped to the lavatory across and locked the doors .

Calcifer

I've had similar experiences on several NRT flights, although the non-locker has always been male (sometimes they don't even seem to notice that the door has opened!).

BoeingBoy

Sometimes the people just don't realize there's a lock or know how it works - the very infrequent flier and children seem to be the main culprits here (and I'm continuously amazed at how many older folks haven't flown before).

Of course, depending on the type of lav door (bifold or regular type) and the amount of force used (the lock could be out of adjustment), even a locked door may open.

Jim

BamaVol

I walked in on a woman changing a baby last weekend. I pushed the door (it folded in) so hard she almost flipped the kid off the table.

What can you do but apologize, even though it's their error. Of course, she was Indian, I am an english-only American and we were flying a Dutch airline. I'm not sure she understood my apology.

I had a more heated exchange with the couple across the aisle from me who wanted my bag out of the overhead storage compartment over their seats. I explained that my bag didn't fit in the smaller compartment over my seat and they were welcome to that space. They played the "I don't understand" card and started to move my stuff. I told them it wasn't their space, it wasn't their stuff and would they like me to call an FA to sort things out. All of a sudden, they understood.

I realize this is way off topic, but I had to get it out somewhere because it was starting to fester. I feel better now.

gldwebs

I was sitting in 1C once and went to use the lav...walked in on the pilot relieving himself. You would think he would know about door locks by now.

senatetalker33

random question...

seeing there are websites devoted to pictures of airline meals, interiors, exteriors and amenity kits, is anyone aware of a site with lav pics? just curious...

fs2k2isfun

www.airplanemeals.com

spainflyer

Don't know about pictures, but I recently flew the PrivatAir 737 "executive jet" wet leased to KL, IAH - AMS.

I am 1.85m (6´1") and the forward lavs are so small that I could not bend over to rinse my face in the wash basin.

Other than that, pretty good flight.

RustyC

This thread reinforces my belief that eventually we'll get around to everything.

Loren Pechtel

You apologize if you walk in on someone but it's not worth any great upset, it was their mistake, not yours.

IceTrojan

How about leaving the door open as a lesson?

viajero7889

As long as that little sign says "unoccupied" I am guilt free whether someone is in their or not. I have been glared at and yelled at numerous times, but it is their fault not mine. Hopefully those that get "exposed" only have to be taught once how to latch the door.

BlissWorld

Now, by relieving himself, you mean.......?

jef7

Absolutely. In my situation however, I probably became more upset because of what my eyes saw more than anything .

colby

I admit to leaving the door unlocked only once. I really had to use the lav and I didn't even think about locking it. All of a sudden, I hear the door jiggle and a lady briefly opens the door and we both got startled as I was embarrassed, but in the end we both got a laugh out of it.