Posted by Paul on April 21, 2001 at 04:11
In Reply to: Schooltrip from Rome! posted by Holly on April 20, 2001 at 23:53
Although being a frequent flyer as well as a watersports-fan, I have never had an accident on a plane myself, but on several occasions I have had the pleasure of watching others face the desperate struggle towards an unevitable accident. I have had a lot of time to reflect over the situation you describe: the fact that the toilets cannot be used for longer or shorter periods during a flight.
I especielly remember a flight from Mexico to Sweden. Over the Mexican Gulf we hit turbulant weather, and although it lasted for more than an hour, the crew decided not to open the locked toilets. After such an event, you can imagine the endless queues to the few available toilets!
On some flights I have noticed, that the crew by routine seem to light the "fasten seat belt"-sign when serving dinner, to avoid crowded aisles. I consider that an insult to the passengers.
There are, of course, times when the passengers have to be seated for obvious safety reasons (a short period during take-off and landing), but the wish to have the passengers seated also coincides with what is smoothest for the crew.
If we who dare as a rule should pee in the seat when rejected the possibility to use the toilets in connection with bad treatment from the crew, I think things would change. If the airlines had to dismount and renew one or several stinking seats after each flight, it wouldn't take long before they would change their bad toilet policy on board, as well as constructing planes with more toilets.
Let's drink a lot before next fligth!
Regards
Paul
Email: p.desperate@usa.net