How Messy Do the Lavs have to get before FAs are Required to do Something?
Dec 1, 2018, 12:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I am not sure if it is cost cutting that is the issue. It is really how jobs are divided and the way the employees views as their duty or not. Between our country culture and our corporate culture, we decide how much extra mile to go to take care of our customers. USA and UA are not known for customer service, unfortunately.
There are UA FAs, for example, who actually decorate the lav - even in domestic F - to make the experience pleasant for the passengers. However, it is not their job and the company certainly does not reward or appreciate those who go the extra mile, so...
There are UA FAs, for example, who actually decorate the lav - even in domestic F - to make the experience pleasant for the passengers. However, it is not their job and the company certainly does not reward or appreciate those who go the extra mile, so...
Dec 1, 2018, 12:36 pm
#17
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Except me...
Dec 1, 2018, 2:58 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,993
I clean the sink and jam the trash down all the time. I also wipe-up excess water on the counter and on the floor, and wipe down the sink. I try to leave the place neater than when I got there.
Also, every now and then, I'll clean the toilet itself if it is disgusting. And for those of you who are grossed-out; when I was in boot-camp, they didn't even give us rags to clean the toilets, we had to use our hands! As my Drill Instructor said to us, "God gave each of us the finest cleaning instruments in the world, our bare hands."
The above being said, on most flights that I've been on, the FAs do at least some clean-up in the lavs, and some exceptional FAs do a thorough job.
Last edited by zombietooth; Dec 1, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Dec 1, 2018, 3:08 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
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Posts: 1,301
I would be happy if they would just smash down the trash. Surely they could be supplied with some sort of "stick" or something. No way a pax is gonna stick his bare hand in there.
P.S. on at least 2 of my last flights someone has stolen the hand lotion out of the Biz lavs. I know it's expensive stuff but how tacky can you get?
P.S. on at least 2 of my last flights someone has stolen the hand lotion out of the Biz lavs. I know it's expensive stuff but how tacky can you get?
Dec 1, 2018, 3:44 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
Part of the problem is that the hand towels are designed to break down easily if they get flushed so as to prevent clogging up the toilet system and making the lav inoperative. That also makes them tear easily when being pulled from the holder so a lot of small pieces fall to the floor.
Dec 1, 2018, 3:56 pm
#24
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Dec 1, 2018, 4:42 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,771
I know United is not EVA where the FAs tidy up the lav, even in Y, almost too much...and "keeping the lavs tidy" is most likely not on UA FA's list of responsibilities (after all, they are here primarily for our safety). However, is there anything that would have required them to do anything?
Thanks.
Dec 1, 2018, 5:23 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
Is it bad to admit that neither did I until I looked it up?
Buried in the Inflight P&P: "Gloves may be worn while tidying the lavatories" it goes on to describe "tidying" to include "Discard used paper towels, paper cups and other refuse. Ensure trash flap is in closed position, wipe excess water from wash basin, countertops and mirror. Restock supplies such as toilet paper, hand towels, and tissue. Use blue pellets to reduce blue water odor (if applicable). Use spray provided to freshen the lavatory. On the 787, use the manual trash compactor at [location] to ensure trash chute is free of debris."
It's more or less what I do every time I use the lavs myself. Although I didn't know about the 787 compactor, I'll have to look for it next time I find myself on one.
I would imagine the scope clause of the contract is what prohibits anything further than the minor tidying (i.e. cleaning the lavs). There's also a lack of cleaning supplies boarded. I've definitely had to shut a lav off and placard it closed when people have made a mess of things in one (the smell alone would have kept most sane people out, anyways).
There are sharps disposal containers onboard. It's a fairly common request, so I think most people who need to use them are aware of their presence. The lack of pushing trash down being mentioned for anything other than the 787 makes me think that someone at WHQ is thinking the same as you, though.
Buried in the Inflight P&P: "Gloves may be worn while tidying the lavatories" it goes on to describe "tidying" to include "Discard used paper towels, paper cups and other refuse. Ensure trash flap is in closed position, wipe excess water from wash basin, countertops and mirror. Restock supplies such as toilet paper, hand towels, and tissue. Use blue pellets to reduce blue water odor (if applicable). Use spray provided to freshen the lavatory. On the 787, use the manual trash compactor at [location] to ensure trash chute is free of debris."
It's more or less what I do every time I use the lavs myself. Although I didn't know about the 787 compactor, I'll have to look for it next time I find myself on one.
I would imagine the scope clause of the contract is what prohibits anything further than the minor tidying (i.e. cleaning the lavs). There's also a lack of cleaning supplies boarded. I've definitely had to shut a lav off and placard it closed when people have made a mess of things in one (the smell alone would have kept most sane people out, anyways).
There are sharps disposal containers onboard. It's a fairly common request, so I think most people who need to use them are aware of their presence. The lack of pushing trash down being mentioned for anything other than the 787 makes me think that someone at WHQ is thinking the same as you, though.
Dec 1, 2018, 6:07 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Olde Dominion
Programs: DL Silver - uh huh!
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Dec 1, 2018, 9:04 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
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Posts: 2,352
This!
I clean the sink and jam the trash down all the time. I also wipe-up excess water on the counter and on the floor, and wipe down the sink. I try to leave the place neater than when I got there.
Also, every now and then, I'll clean the toilet itself if it is disgusting. And for those of you who are grossed-out; when I was in boot-camp, they didn't even give us rags to clean the toilets, we had to use our hands! As my Drill Instructor said to us, "God gave each of us the finest cleaning instruments in the world, our bare hands."
The above being said, on most flights that I've been on, the FAs do at least some clean-up in the lavs, and some exceptional FAs do a thorough job.
I clean the sink and jam the trash down all the time. I also wipe-up excess water on the counter and on the floor, and wipe down the sink. I try to leave the place neater than when I got there.
Also, every now and then, I'll clean the toilet itself if it is disgusting. And for those of you who are grossed-out; when I was in boot-camp, they didn't even give us rags to clean the toilets, we had to use our hands! As my Drill Instructor said to us, "God gave each of us the finest cleaning instruments in the world, our bare hands."
The above being said, on most flights that I've been on, the FAs do at least some clean-up in the lavs, and some exceptional FAs do a thorough job.
I think that if you had recalcitrant flight attendants who seemed reluctant to clean the lavs, you could always say, "Hey, can you loan me some cleaning supplies? That lav is in terrible shape--let me clean it up for you." Might spur them into action.
Dec 1, 2018, 11:00 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Posts: 2,256
That was Delta. And I've seen it on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and just about every airline in the world except United and American. Remember they're here "primarily for you safety" even though they're often incapable of closing the overhead bins by themselves......