You're the FO, potty PA?

[Bluto]

You're the FO on a 30-pax regional turboprop preparing to depart on a 1-1.5 hour flight. The flight attendant informs the captain that the lavatory (only one on-board) won't flush. After takeoff and climb through 10,000' the captain (the pilot flying) instructs you to make a PA to accompany turning off the seatbelt sign. The CA, being completely serious, says, "Be sure to tell them they can't go #2."

WDYD?

[GrantHubbell]

Say, that there will be no drinks served, due to the fact that the "recycling center" is down!

[tonyw]

It's an hour and a half flight. I'd just say the lav is inop.

If you think about it, it'll take, what, 15 minutes to get to cruise, and you've got to have people in their seats at least 15 minutes before you land. That means they're going to do without the lav for an hour.

They can live with it.

[Kingairer]

I think its almost worse when you know you cant go do something for an extended period of time. For example, if you knew before the flight the lav was inop your body is prepared...But then if you make that PA, then your mind is going to be thinking about that, thus wanting you to go. But if the CA wants you to make that PA, make the PA. Believe it or not, the "feel free to move about the cabin" doesnt apply much in Turboprops and RJs.

[av8trxx]

Hopefully this scenario can be avoided by the F/A doing their required cabin preflight, which includes making sure the lav flushes. It would be a rare occasion when the lav malfunctions inflight. However, if the drain plug doesn't reseat into the holding tank after servicing, the 'blue juice' can slowly all seep into the discharge chute causing the toilet to not flush due to lack of water in the holding tank. In that case, the lav must be closed as flushing it with out any water can cause the motor to burn up and poses a fire hazard.

[Bluto]

[ QUOTE ]
But if the CA wants you to make that PA, make the PA.

[/ QUOTE ]So you would honestly say to the people:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached our cruising altitude of 24,000' and we have a smooth ride for you tonight. The captain has turned off the seatbelt sign allowing you to move about the cabin if you would like to do so. While you are seated, please keep your seatbelt fastened for your safety. If you choose to use the lavatory, you may only go #1 (that means peeing, for those of you unfamiliar with the number system) as the toilet doesn't flush properly. Thanks for choosing XXXX airlines!"?

This happened to me and I considered it a perfect example of a time to respectfully disagree with the captain. When he insisted, I explained that I would not say that, and why. Finally, he asked what I would say instead. I told him that if the lav didn't function properly, then it was inop. If he absolutely had to say something explain that the flusher didn't work and that pax should use their best judgement.

The FA caught this on her preflight, but we were away from the mx base and you generally don't delay a flight for a deferred toilet at my company.

[Kingairer]

I didnt read the part about the #2. I thought it was just inop. I would have done like you and asked for clarification. I would probably say to the CA "thats all you bro, batter up"

[Theotokos]

well since we can go, just dump the rest of the waste on someone down below!!!! jk.....I know you can't do that. But really the flight is not that long....people can hold it....

[viper548]

I'd just mention the lav won't flush and let the pax make their own decision if they can hold it or not. ' Insert Dumb & Dumber bathroom scene here'

[mrivc211]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd just mention the lav won't flush and let the pax make their own decision if they can hold it or not. ' Insert Dumb & Dumber bathroom scene here'

[/ QUOTE ]

On our flight from RDM to SFO which is blocked at 2:06 hours (long for our plane) we counted a total of 8 people took #2's in the lav. Lucky for it was a forward lav and I got the wrath of it all. Everytime someone would go in there, I would race to turn off the recirc fans. OMG it was the WORST flight I had ever been on. Hahahahhaha.

[GatorFC]

[ QUOTE ]
On our flight from RDM to SFO which is blocked at 2:06 hours (long for our plane) we counted a total of 8 people took #2's in the lav.

[/ QUOTE ]What did y'all do - take an exit poll?

[mrivc211]

After the third person we just started keeping count. Uppp, there goes another, that was 4, and 5 and 6.

[BCTAv8r]

[ QUOTE ]
Hopefully this scenario can be avoided by the F/A doing their required cabin preflight, which includes making sure the lav flushes. It would be a rare occasion when the lav malfunctions inflight. However, if the drain plug doesn't reseat into the holding tank after servicing, the 'blue juice' can slowly all seep into the discharge chute causing the toilet to not flush due to lack of water in the holding tank. In that case, the lav must be closed as flushing it with out any water can cause the motor to burn up and poses a fire hazard.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a lot of info. Do you guys study that too in the pilot handbooks?

[brandonv]

Run back to the bathroom with an urgent look on your face, just to freak out the passengers, then stay there for the rest of the cruise. Once the captain's ready to start the approach they'll rock the wings or something and the FO can come out of the lav and help land the plane.

Just remember to bring a magazine or something