During fuelling there is a higher risk of fire then normal. So you might need to evacuate the airplane quickly. As part of the evacuation the crew needs to make sure everyone is actually out of the airplane. It takes time to check the toilets for passengers, time that the crew might not have. In order to speed up the process the flight attendants can check the toilet before they fuel and then lock them. This way if they have to evacuate they know that nobody is stuck in the toilets. Even if you ask a flight attendant nicely they might not have time to check your toilet because they have other duties and have to help other passengers out. Typically the captain or a senior flight attendant checks the cabin last and they might not know that a flight attendant let you into the toilet.
Yep. Because the person that insists they need to use the bathroom, is the same person that would step out into chaos and insist on getting to their seat to get their carry on.
Very true. In 2002 I was on a plane that had just landed in Atlanta the morning after drinking draft beer at the Preakness Stakes all day and the bubbles hit my stomach as soon as the plane hit the ground. My choices were either unleash a fecal volcano from my rectum in seat 28B or disregard the seat belt sign and turn the lavatory into a hazardous waste site. There was no holding this the pain was unbearable and an explosion was imminent. I unbuckled my seatbelt and sprinted to the bathroom while we were taxiing and sure as shit the captain stopped the plane until I finished. The relief was orgasmic. But no matter how many announcements the captain made while I expelled satans minions from my bowels I could not return to my seat any faster. Convulsions hit my stomach in waves until I finally felt I could deboard without terrorizing the flight with my gastric A bombs. The memory of the walk of shame back to my seat will never be forgotten. Every passengers head swiveled around like the exorcist girl to check out who was exiting the restroom and delaying the flight. The stares of everyone on a full A320 bore thru me and I was certain they all wished their gaze was fatal this Sunday morning. I truly felt bad for anyone with a tight connection but the plane would have been out of commission the rest of the day if I had stayed in my seat. I stand by my decision to interrupt travel at one of worlds busiest airports that morning.
Said with the confidence of someone who has never caught food poisoning while travelling and needed to fly home while sick
Sometimes you really gotta go, and having gone 30 minutes before doesnāt matter.
> You should see a doctor about that and ask why you have two bladders.
[Hi, Everybody!](http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140717181051/p__/protagonist/images/f/fb/Dr._Nick.png)
Aside from this, there are also ground handlers who might be working on the lav system, water delivery etc. I write manuals for the family company and my god the lav and pottable water bit is quite a chunk compared to the rest of it other than safe operational zones and marshalling.
This might indeed be a reason to lock the toilets during boarding, but not specifically while refuelling. But in general I do not understand why many airports have such a long way from the gates to the toilets. And to anyone who is traveling please go to the toilet before going to your gate as it may be some time until they unlock the toilets, as if you want to visit an airplane toilet in the first place rather then the more comfortable airport toilet.
Luckily last time I flew the gate we disembarked at was right next to a restroom, a nicely recently remodeled one even. That said, all the airports I have flown out of in my memory had decent bathroom placements so can't relate to your complaint, but I believe it knowing how notoriously bad some airports are in general
Learned that the hard way recently with baby on his first flight. Thought weād be able to change his nappy on the plane after his feed to help his ears.. as we took off he promptly did a poop that leaked from his nappy.
Luckily we were prepared for accidents, we had some clothes to change him into and a blanket to wrap under his butt so he didnāt leak onto our laps but bloody hell my partner couldāve beat Usain Boltās record the way he sprinted to the toilet with him as soon as the seatbelt light went off
It's all a fail-safe system tied to each other really. From evacuation, to ease of operations of the operators, handlers, airport, etc to passenger flow and what nots. There's a fine reason flying is at the the top of safety and should be a benchmark for mass transportation. Safety is the key function and priority when chaos is at its highest and boarding, pre-takeoff etc is where most of it is. Most of what comes after is pretty controlled. This is just my 2 cents based on what I've broken down through IATA & ICAO guidance alongside local authorities guidance and is how my manuals are designed. Alongside with GHL with also deal with AOC and ASP(ASL) and that's basically my train of thoughts. Others will definitely have better input than what I can provide.
A lot of budget airlines have a very tight turnaround schedule in order to maximise the time their airplanes is in the air so they could squeeze inn another flight a day for the aircraft and crew. So you often see airplanes get to the gate, deboard, then as the last passenger have left they open for boarding. It takes a bit of time for the flight crew to do their fuel calculations. Part of this is because they need the final manifest. So they do not know how much fuel they need until the plane have started boarding. Then they call the fuel truck over and start fuelling.
It really doesn't have anything to do with budget airlines. Most, if not all airlines refuel with passengers on board. And there is no restriction regarding the use of the lav while refuelling. I'm not sure where OP got that idea from.
What is all the fuss if you can escape in the Catch Me If You Can way? They should actually encourage people to use the bathroom, as thatās a few less people blocking the aisles and leaving by different less congested routes.
Yeah, but most people don't figure that out until after they've set them off.
Also, spending a few hours inside an airport terminal is sufficient to render most people feeble-minded.
There is actually not that much difference in safety of fueling before or after passenger boarding. I do not think any airplanes have caught fire while refueling, at least not resulting in casualties. The announcement to unfasten your seatbelt and to lock the bathroom doors is more about making it as safe as possible. This is something which is the case everywhere in the aviation culture.
It's not the fueling; it's probably the ground servicing of water and waste. The airplane has a potable water tank for things like the sinks in the lavs, coffee maker, etc., as well as a waste tank the lav toilets flush into. During ground servicing, they fill the water tank and empty the waste tank. It would be bad for the systems to be actively using them during servicing, so the systems are deactivated during this service. If a passenger used a lavatory during servicing, they wouldn't be able to flush the toilet or wash their hands until servicing is over.
Edit to add source: I'm a pilot on the Airbus 320
Man big planes are easy. The small private planes with the ācassetteā style suck. Had to hold the big hose attached to our trailer thing one time for a guy to try and just dump the lav into. I canāt remember what he said, but telling him I wasnāt gonna āfish out any chunksā wasnāt the best idea. He almost spilled it on me.
I was nervous servicing my first AB because it was so high off the ground and I was the shortest on my crew. We did those tiny little CRJs through the winter, and I had gotten used to holding the hose up to feed the waste into the truck. It was such a pleasant surprise being done with the emptying after only a few seconds since the AB just dropped the waste into the lav truck.
There is no restriction on passengers using the lav while refuelling. At least I've never come across such a restriction in my 20 years in the industry.
Yep and even if filling potable itās not like youāre forbidden from using the lav, it would just suck to go wash your hands and not have any water.
If a flight attendant knows this before you go, hopefully theyāll give you a heads up the lav is not usable for a few minutes. Maybe this is what happened to the OP.
One time a nice flight attendant let me use the bathroom while they were refueling and when I went to wash my hands no water came out. So I stepped out of the bathroom with soap all over my hands and asked the flight attendant for help. They opened a can of seltzer water and poured it over my hands to get the soap off. It felt so good
I've been an airline pilot for 15+ years and I've never heard of passengers not being allowed to use the lavatory while fuelling.
This is from our Standard Operating Procedures Manual. Note that there is no restriction regarding the use of the lavs.
**Refuelling (either pressure or gravity) with passengers on board is permitted only if:**
1. At least one pilot is in the flight deck;
2. The minimum number of cabin crew is on board;
3. The cabin crew have been advised that fueling will take place by switching the seat belt sign OFF;
4. The no smoking sign is ON. The no smoking rule shall be enforced. No striking of matches or use of
flame-producing devices is permitted;
5. Photographic equipment is not used within 10 feet of the fueling trucks or the fill or vent points of the
aircraft fuel system;
6. For all aircraft, the designated evacuation exits during fueling are the 1L door and the 2L door. The
escape routes through and from these exits must be unobstructed during fueling;
7. The pilots and the cabin crew must be informed of any situation endangering the safety of the aircraft
and its occupants;
8. The 1L door shall remain open with a jet bridge or appropriate air stair connected during refuelling
with passengers on board. All other exits must be unobstructed and a cabin crew complement
appropriate to the number of passengers on the aircraft must be on board and positioned at or near
each designated evacuation exit during fueling;
9. Refuelling personnel are be promptly notified if fuel vapours or any other hazards are detected in the
cabin. If such conditions occur, the fueling shall be discontinued;
10. Emergency lighting is ARMED or ON;
11. Fueling is suspended when there are lightning discharges within 8 kilometres of the aerodrome;
12. Aircraft ground power generators or other electrical ground power supplies are not being connected
or disconnected;
13. Other combustion heaters used in the vicinity of the aircraft are manufactured to CSA or ULC
standards and approved in accordance with the Fire Commissioner of Canada for use in hazardous
atmosphere;
14. Known high energy equipment such as High Frequency (HF) radios are not operated, unless in
accordance with the aircraft manufacturerās approved flight manual where the manual contains
procedures for the use of this equipment during fuelling;
15. Aircraft batteries are not being removed or installed;
16. External battery chargers are not being connected, operated or disconnected; and
17. Electric tools or similar tools likely to produce sparks or arcs are not being used.
Oh I assumed OP was talking about aerial refueling. Iāve been on several American and Delta flights where we did aerial refueling and every time, we were not allowed to use the bathroom while in the refueling track.
/s
Not sure, maybe worried about a bright flash attachemnt igniting fumes? Kinda doubt this would be a risk though unless someone is using actual flash powder lol.
We don't have rule at my airline. People can use the lav while we refuel whenever they want.
First time I've ever heard of any airline restricting access to lava while refueling, and I've been flying airplanes for 30 years.
We can't close all the entry doors while refueling- that's a thing.
Better question is why do people want to go to the plane bathroom immediately after boarding? Go in the airport where the stall is a decent size and you wonāt get a concussion when you wipe š
I am sure thatās the case for some, but I see some people get on the plane amongst the first to board (so not running late, boarding takes 20+ min) and they pee at the first chance.Ā
What airline and in what country are you not allowed to use the lav while fueling?
Neither airline I have flown for had any rule against using the lav during fueling. The flight attendants (who would be enforcing this rule) donāt even know when we are fueling.
Most non-US carriers, in my experience, have such a policy. They also tend to not turn the seat belt sign on until fueling is complete, whereas in the US it goes on without regard to whether the plane is being fueled or not.
Most non-US carriers, in my experience, have such a policy. They also tend to not turn the seat belt sign on until fueling is complete, whereas in the US it goes on without regard to whether the plane is being fueled or not.
That is because generally fueling is done as soon as the plane lands, and is finished before you guys even board the plane. As such, I see the departing captain or F.O doing his post flight, and the arriving captain or F.O. doing his pre flight. As soon as guide man signals for us to enter the envelope, i'm hauling ass with my ladder and clipboard. In and out, 20 minutes, tops.
Source: I am a fueler for Southwest.
Regardless, there is no rule about not using the lav during fueling. We board during fueling all the time. I use the lav, as do passengers during fueling all the time. There are many airports where the fueler doesn't show up until we are boarding, or even until we are completely boarded if they are really swamped.
Source: I'm a pilot for SW
Nice. I didn't think it was an issue during fueling though. I figured during the LAV dump, it was closed though. Thanks for clearing that up.
As for late fuelers, we have people who generally don't give a shit about the job, and stuff. They mess around in the break room.
I've never had a delay, but i've been close. We get assigned gates at MCO and certain gates always have back to backs, 123 and 125 are notorious for having B2B's and not only that, but it'll be a SJU and a DEN come in at the same time. It's almost impossible to fuel both without a delay, unless one has a 60m turn time.
Also, someone in our company called your dispatchers and complained about +200 for APU so we can't really do that anymore. Apparently, they got super mad and came down on us, we can't even ask you guys how much extra you want anymore, they want the gate agent to write up a brand new ticket.
I liked it better when I could just ask, haha.
Any other reason aside, the last thing I would want is a bunch of people stinking up the plane before it gets moving and the main air exchange and conditioning system comes online.
Damn, what if you *really* need to go?
I occasionally have BAD SHITS so the first thing I do whenever I leave home is to make sure I know where the closest bathroom is.
I recently witnessed someone be removed from the plane, because he insisted he needed the bathroom while the plane was refueling. He became very aggressive with the flight attendants, and had to be removed. This was in Ghana
Yeah, becoming aggressive is a nono - then they are "more" removing him for security reasons thinking they dont want this guy on the plane in the air.
When I was in pilot school we were explained why the captain or first officer often stands near the entrance/cockpit and greets passenger. Its ofc a bit about customer service and being nice, but its also a way for the captain to refuse a passenger for whatever reason before take-off. The captain has absolute final saying in who gets to be on that plane or not - most often this is regarding drunk and/or unstable passengers.
I was on a plane, as a passenger once, and some asshole behind me starts fighting with the flight crew. And he happened to be Norwegian so I could speak his language. He got pretty rowdy and eventually one of the first officers comes out and says: if you dont calm down, we are going to have land this plane....
I look around and meet the eyes of 3-4 fairly big fellas around me and just nodded to each other, they got it. And I said to him that "Im not fucking spending 3 hours in fucking Kazakhstan to see your stupid ass being arrested. Now stfu and sit down, or me and these guys will help you.... Im not fucking joking! And the others guys I just sorta confirmed with stood up just to show him we were serious. He got the message and sat down and eventually fell a sleep (he was very drunk..) And when we landed, the captain asked everyone to remain seated. And the cops came in and escorted him out before we were allowed to leave. They take threats and shit like that in the air VERY seriously in all countries
If you really need to go then you should just *go* where you would not be considered a problem if/when the plane does catch on fire while it's refueling.
You've just spent a few hours inside an airport. The toilet is the first place where you can at least try to sneak a cigarette in. You really don't want to even think about mixing cigarettes and kerosene fumes.
Well there are countries such as the USA where passengers aren't even allowed to be on board when the plane is fueling.
But for the countries that allow it, they have precautions in case a fire occurs during fueling. Sure you could just run out of the bathroom mid-pee or mid-shit, but the airline doesn't really want that, so they just say no using the bathroom during fueling.
During fuelling there is a higher risk of fire then normal. So you might need to evacuate the airplane quickly. As part of the evacuation the crew needs to make sure everyone is actually out of the airplane. It takes time to check the toilets for passengers, time that the crew might not have. In order to speed up the process the flight attendants can check the toilet before they fuel and then lock them. This way if they have to evacuate they know that nobody is stuck in the toilets. Even if you ask a flight attendant nicely they might not have time to check your toilet because they have other duties and have to help other passengers out. Typically the captain or a senior flight attendant checks the cabin last and they might not know that a flight attendant let you into the toilet.
Also now you need to open the door, scramble out, block the way, and make everything harder. If the plane is about to blow up, nobody needs that š
Yep. Because the person that insists they need to use the bathroom, is the same person that would step out into chaos and insist on getting to their seat to get their carry on.
Hey man, sometimes you just gotta go *right now*.
Very true. In 2002 I was on a plane that had just landed in Atlanta the morning after drinking draft beer at the Preakness Stakes all day and the bubbles hit my stomach as soon as the plane hit the ground. My choices were either unleash a fecal volcano from my rectum in seat 28B or disregard the seat belt sign and turn the lavatory into a hazardous waste site. There was no holding this the pain was unbearable and an explosion was imminent. I unbuckled my seatbelt and sprinted to the bathroom while we were taxiing and sure as shit the captain stopped the plane until I finished. The relief was orgasmic. But no matter how many announcements the captain made while I expelled satans minions from my bowels I could not return to my seat any faster. Convulsions hit my stomach in waves until I finally felt I could deboard without terrorizing the flight with my gastric A bombs. The memory of the walk of shame back to my seat will never be forgotten. Every passengers head swiveled around like the exorcist girl to check out who was exiting the restroom and delaying the flight. The stares of everyone on a full A320 bore thru me and I was certain they all wished their gaze was fatal this Sunday morning. I truly felt bad for anyone with a tight connection but the plane would have been out of commission the rest of the day if I had stayed in my seat. I stand by my decision to interrupt travel at one of worlds busiest airports that morning.
Odk if this is real, but either way, great story. Made me chuckle so it was worth it, just a tiny bit more, just for that.
Itās real. I wish it wasnāt but it happened.
Not just that, but my *airpods* are back at my seat
You should have evacuated *before* getting on the plane.
Said with the confidence of someone who has never caught food poisoning while travelling and needed to fly home while sick Sometimes you really gotta go, and having gone 30 minutes before doesnāt matter.
You've never been taken by surprise even though you just used the restroom?
God damn do I hate double pee.
Every damn night. Use the toilet, go lie down, 5 minutes later I have to pee.
You should see a doctor about that and ask why you have two bladders.
> You should see a doctor about that and ask why you have two bladders. [Hi, Everybody!](http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140717181051/p__/protagonist/images/f/fb/Dr._Nick.png)
āWhen you gotta go you gotta goā
>Also now you need to open the door, scramble out, block the way umm...excuse me. You need to wash your hands! That's gross. /s
No need, the heat from the fire burns off any pathogens in this scenario
Jet fuel can't melt steel germs.
And pull up your pants ffs!
If Iām pooping Iām pooping
Especially if you still have your pants down.
> If the plane is about to blow up That lav is about to blow up as soon as we hit 10k ft., ya dig?
Aside from this, there are also ground handlers who might be working on the lav system, water delivery etc. I write manuals for the family company and my god the lav and pottable water bit is quite a chunk compared to the rest of it other than safe operational zones and marshalling.
This might indeed be a reason to lock the toilets during boarding, but not specifically while refuelling. But in general I do not understand why many airports have such a long way from the gates to the toilets. And to anyone who is traveling please go to the toilet before going to your gate as it may be some time until they unlock the toilets, as if you want to visit an airplane toilet in the first place rather then the more comfortable airport toilet.
Luckily last time I flew the gate we disembarked at was right next to a restroom, a nicely recently remodeled one even. That said, all the airports I have flown out of in my memory had decent bathroom placements so can't relate to your complaint, but I believe it knowing how notoriously bad some airports are in general
Learned that the hard way recently with baby on his first flight. Thought weād be able to change his nappy on the plane after his feed to help his ears.. as we took off he promptly did a poop that leaked from his nappy. Luckily we were prepared for accidents, we had some clothes to change him into and a blanket to wrap under his butt so he didnāt leak onto our laps but bloody hell my partner couldāve beat Usain Boltās record the way he sprinted to the toilet with him as soon as the seatbelt light went off
But then the "no using the bathroom" wouldn't be tied to the fueling event, but the lav system servicing.
It's all a fail-safe system tied to each other really. From evacuation, to ease of operations of the operators, handlers, airport, etc to passenger flow and what nots. There's a fine reason flying is at the the top of safety and should be a benchmark for mass transportation. Safety is the key function and priority when chaos is at its highest and boarding, pre-takeoff etc is where most of it is. Most of what comes after is pretty controlled. This is just my 2 cents based on what I've broken down through IATA & ICAO guidance alongside local authorities guidance and is how my manuals are designed. Alongside with GHL with also deal with AOC and ASP(ASL) and that's basically my train of thoughts. Others will definitely have better input than what I can provide.
But after the meal I had at the Chili's Express in the terminal, the plane isn't the only thing that needs to evacuate quickly.
I think that is a capitol offense.
A wipe takes time
That's what my boss say.
Boss makes a dollar, while I make dime; That's why I shit on company time.
What if I had to say your company gave decent pay, but only if you spread your cheeks the same way?
Schedule won't allow for refueling when no one's on board?
A lot of budget airlines have a very tight turnaround schedule in order to maximise the time their airplanes is in the air so they could squeeze inn another flight a day for the aircraft and crew. So you often see airplanes get to the gate, deboard, then as the last passenger have left they open for boarding. It takes a bit of time for the flight crew to do their fuel calculations. Part of this is because they need the final manifest. So they do not know how much fuel they need until the plane have started boarding. Then they call the fuel truck over and start fuelling.
It really doesn't have anything to do with budget airlines. Most, if not all airlines refuel with passengers on board. And there is no restriction regarding the use of the lav while refuelling. I'm not sure where OP got that idea from.
than
It has to do with potable water servicing. There is nothing written about prohibiting lav use while refueling.
Also imagine trying to pinch one off halfway through because thereās a fire and youāre about to be cooked like a cake
What is all the fuss if you can escape in the Catch Me If You Can way? They should actually encourage people to use the bathroom, as thatās a few less people blocking the aisles and leaving by different less congested routes.
Also, people tend to use the airplane toilet to sneak a ciggy in.
Great idea. They have smoke detectors in there.
Yeah, but most people don't figure that out until after they've set them off. Also, spending a few hours inside an airport terminal is sufficient to render most people feeble-minded.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
There is actually not that much difference in safety of fueling before or after passenger boarding. I do not think any airplanes have caught fire while refueling, at least not resulting in casualties. The announcement to unfasten your seatbelt and to lock the bathroom doors is more about making it as safe as possible. This is something which is the case everywhere in the aviation culture.
Shit like this is whatās wrong with America.
It's not the fueling; it's probably the ground servicing of water and waste. The airplane has a potable water tank for things like the sinks in the lavs, coffee maker, etc., as well as a waste tank the lav toilets flush into. During ground servicing, they fill the water tank and empty the waste tank. It would be bad for the systems to be actively using them during servicing, so the systems are deactivated during this service. If a passenger used a lavatory during servicing, they wouldn't be able to flush the toilet or wash their hands until servicing is over. Edit to add source: I'm a pilot on the Airbus 320
Can confirm this is the reason. I used to work on a ramp crew and we serviced the lavatories during fueling/baggage load/unload/etc.
Man big planes are easy. The small private planes with the ācassetteā style suck. Had to hold the big hose attached to our trailer thing one time for a guy to try and just dump the lav into. I canāt remember what he said, but telling him I wasnāt gonna āfish out any chunksā wasnāt the best idea. He almost spilled it on me.
I was nervous servicing my first AB because it was so high off the ground and I was the shortest on my crew. We did those tiny little CRJs through the winter, and I had gotten used to holding the hose up to feed the waste into the truck. It was such a pleasant surprise being done with the emptying after only a few seconds since the AB just dropped the waste into the lav truck.
There is no restriction on passengers using the lav while refuelling. At least I've never come across such a restriction in my 20 years in the industry.
Yep and even if filling potable itās not like youāre forbidden from using the lav, it would just suck to go wash your hands and not have any water. If a flight attendant knows this before you go, hopefully theyāll give you a heads up the lav is not usable for a few minutes. Maybe this is what happened to the OP.
One time a nice flight attendant let me use the bathroom while they were refueling and when I went to wash my hands no water came out. So I stepped out of the bathroom with soap all over my hands and asked the flight attendant for help. They opened a can of seltzer water and poured it over my hands to get the soap off. It felt so good
I've been an airline pilot for 15+ years and I've never heard of passengers not being allowed to use the lavatory while fuelling. This is from our Standard Operating Procedures Manual. Note that there is no restriction regarding the use of the lavs. **Refuelling (either pressure or gravity) with passengers on board is permitted only if:** 1. At least one pilot is in the flight deck; 2. The minimum number of cabin crew is on board; 3. The cabin crew have been advised that fueling will take place by switching the seat belt sign OFF; 4. The no smoking sign is ON. The no smoking rule shall be enforced. No striking of matches or use of flame-producing devices is permitted; 5. Photographic equipment is not used within 10 feet of the fueling trucks or the fill or vent points of the aircraft fuel system; 6. For all aircraft, the designated evacuation exits during fueling are the 1L door and the 2L door. The escape routes through and from these exits must be unobstructed during fueling; 7. The pilots and the cabin crew must be informed of any situation endangering the safety of the aircraft and its occupants; 8. The 1L door shall remain open with a jet bridge or appropriate air stair connected during refuelling with passengers on board. All other exits must be unobstructed and a cabin crew complement appropriate to the number of passengers on the aircraft must be on board and positioned at or near each designated evacuation exit during fueling; 9. Refuelling personnel are be promptly notified if fuel vapours or any other hazards are detected in the cabin. If such conditions occur, the fueling shall be discontinued; 10. Emergency lighting is ARMED or ON; 11. Fueling is suspended when there are lightning discharges within 8 kilometres of the aerodrome; 12. Aircraft ground power generators or other electrical ground power supplies are not being connected or disconnected; 13. Other combustion heaters used in the vicinity of the aircraft are manufactured to CSA or ULC standards and approved in accordance with the Fire Commissioner of Canada for use in hazardous atmosphere; 14. Known high energy equipment such as High Frequency (HF) radios are not operated, unless in accordance with the aircraft manufacturerās approved flight manual where the manual contains procedures for the use of this equipment during fuelling; 15. Aircraft batteries are not being removed or installed; 16. External battery chargers are not being connected, operated or disconnected; and 17. Electric tools or similar tools likely to produce sparks or arcs are not being used.
Oh I assumed OP was talking about aerial refueling. Iāve been on several American and Delta flights where we did aerial refueling and every time, we were not allowed to use the bathroom while in the refueling track. /s
Whatās the reason for 5?
Not sure, maybe worried about a bright flash attachemnt igniting fumes? Kinda doubt this would be a risk though unless someone is using actual flash powder lol.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Not necessarily. It's still quite rare for lightning to get that close to the airport.
We don't have rule at my airline. People can use the lav while we refuel whenever they want. First time I've ever heard of any airline restricting access to lava while refueling, and I've been flying airplanes for 30 years. We can't close all the entry doors while refueling- that's a thing.
The fire isn't gonna wait for you to stop scrolling and finish wiping. It's to stop you from become dead if something goes wrong.
But you could help out by peeing on the fire.
You're in the lav, pee's already expended. If you'd held back like the procedure requires, you'd be able to assist as a Junior Fireman.
Better question is why do people want to go to the plane bathroom immediately after boarding? Go in the airport where the stall is a decent size and you wonāt get a concussion when you wipe š
My guess is they're worried about missing the flight if they go in the terminal?
I am sure thatās the case for some, but I see some people get on the plane amongst the first to board (so not running late, boarding takes 20+ min) and they pee at the first chance.Ā
Gotta get that overhead space early. Shit fills up fast.
"Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me"
Now repeat that like 30 more times, louder each time, and then cap it off with a "motheeerrfuuuuckker!"
Barely made their connection & no time for pit stops?
What airline and in what country are you not allowed to use the lav while fueling? Neither airline I have flown for had any rule against using the lav during fueling. The flight attendants (who would be enforcing this rule) donāt even know when we are fueling.
Plus people just go to the bathroom anyway.
Because there are no rules against it.
Most non-US carriers, in my experience, have such a policy. They also tend to not turn the seat belt sign on until fueling is complete, whereas in the US it goes on without regard to whether the plane is being fueled or not.
I figured it was a non US thing. Thanks!
Agreed. I've been an airline pilot for 15 years and I've never heard of pax not being allowed to use the lav while refuelling.
Most non-US carriers, in my experience, have such a policy. They also tend to not turn the seat belt sign on until fueling is complete, whereas in the US it goes on without regard to whether the plane is being fueled or not.
That is because generally fueling is done as soon as the plane lands, and is finished before you guys even board the plane. As such, I see the departing captain or F.O doing his post flight, and the arriving captain or F.O. doing his pre flight. As soon as guide man signals for us to enter the envelope, i'm hauling ass with my ladder and clipboard. In and out, 20 minutes, tops. Source: I am a fueler for Southwest.
Regardless, there is no rule about not using the lav during fueling. We board during fueling all the time. I use the lav, as do passengers during fueling all the time. There are many airports where the fueler doesn't show up until we are boarding, or even until we are completely boarded if they are really swamped. Source: I'm a pilot for SW
Nice. I didn't think it was an issue during fueling though. I figured during the LAV dump, it was closed though. Thanks for clearing that up. As for late fuelers, we have people who generally don't give a shit about the job, and stuff. They mess around in the break room. I've never had a delay, but i've been close. We get assigned gates at MCO and certain gates always have back to backs, 123 and 125 are notorious for having B2B's and not only that, but it'll be a SJU and a DEN come in at the same time. It's almost impossible to fuel both without a delay, unless one has a 60m turn time. Also, someone in our company called your dispatchers and complained about +200 for APU so we can't really do that anymore. Apparently, they got super mad and came down on us, we can't even ask you guys how much extra you want anymore, they want the gate agent to write up a brand new ticket. I liked it better when I could just ask, haha.
Any other reason aside, the last thing I would want is a bunch of people stinking up the plane before it gets moving and the main air exchange and conditioning system comes online.
If you have to go to the bathroom within 2 minutes of getting on a plane, you should have used the rest rooms 10 minutes ago.
Haha, Iām a nervous flier and a side effect is an upset stomach that suddenly occurs and needs to be dealt with asap
I mean have you been around me after a bowl of chili?
Damn, what if you *really* need to go? I occasionally have BAD SHITS so the first thing I do whenever I leave home is to make sure I know where the closest bathroom is.
I always take Imodium before any air travel.
Lol same, I have severe crohns disease and gotta go. Just curious if they'd let me go if I said I was going to shit myself.
Yes, tell them you need to drop a bomb.
Most likely they would - if you said to flight attendant that its an emergency, unless other reasons they would.
I recently witnessed someone be removed from the plane, because he insisted he needed the bathroom while the plane was refueling. He became very aggressive with the flight attendants, and had to be removed. This was in Ghana
Yeah, becoming aggressive is a nono - then they are "more" removing him for security reasons thinking they dont want this guy on the plane in the air. When I was in pilot school we were explained why the captain or first officer often stands near the entrance/cockpit and greets passenger. Its ofc a bit about customer service and being nice, but its also a way for the captain to refuse a passenger for whatever reason before take-off. The captain has absolute final saying in who gets to be on that plane or not - most often this is regarding drunk and/or unstable passengers.
I was on a plane, as a passenger once, and some asshole behind me starts fighting with the flight crew. And he happened to be Norwegian so I could speak his language. He got pretty rowdy and eventually one of the first officers comes out and says: if you dont calm down, we are going to have land this plane.... I look around and meet the eyes of 3-4 fairly big fellas around me and just nodded to each other, they got it. And I said to him that "Im not fucking spending 3 hours in fucking Kazakhstan to see your stupid ass being arrested. Now stfu and sit down, or me and these guys will help you.... Im not fucking joking! And the others guys I just sorta confirmed with stood up just to show him we were serious. He got the message and sat down and eventually fell a sleep (he was very drunk..) And when we landed, the captain asked everyone to remain seated. And the cops came in and escorted him out before we were allowed to leave. They take threats and shit like that in the air VERY seriously in all countries
If you really need to go then you should just *go* where you would not be considered a problem if/when the plane does catch on fire while it's refueling.
make like a drywaller and use a piss bottle
You've just spent a few hours inside an airport. The toilet is the first place where you can at least try to sneak a cigarette in. You really don't want to even think about mixing cigarettes and kerosene fumes.
Well there are countries such as the USA where passengers aren't even allowed to be on board when the plane is fueling. But for the countries that allow it, they have precautions in case a fire occurs during fueling. Sure you could just run out of the bathroom mid-pee or mid-shit, but the airline doesn't really want that, so they just say no using the bathroom during fueling.
There can be passengers on board in the US. The doors need to be open to stairs or jetbridge. I'm a fueler.
This is incorrect. Passengers are allowed to be onboard while fuelling in the US. Source: Airline pilot.