A few years ago, I found myself in a painful situation. I was seated in the very first row in coach class and my four hour flight from Columbus, Ohio to San Diego, California had just landed. When the pilot’s voice came over the intercom and shared with us that we would be waiting another 20 to 30 minutes for our gate to be available, I knew I was in trouble.
I had made the foolish decision to not use the restroom before the plane’s descent because the flight was almost over. Then I found myself doubling over with pressure as each passing moment pushed my bladder to new limits. I was seated so close to the restroom that I could literally touch the door from my seat.
At the height of my discomfort — and assuming I’d really put in a heck of an effort to hold it until this point — I mentioned my situation to a passing flight attendant. Her response was anything but compassionate.
“I’m sorry, but there is no movement in the aircraft when the fasten seatbelt sign is on,” she exclaimed.
“I understand that but, I’m afraid I’m going to pee all over the seat here in a couple of minutes,” I shared with her quietly as the aircraft sat motionless outside the gate area.
“Well, then I’m gonna have to ask you to go ahead and do that,” she responded.
Years later, I’m glad I endured the excruciating wait instead of bull rushing the bathroom like I pictured in my mind. Evidently, there could be serious consequences even for something as simple as urination.
Joao Correa, 43, was arrested recently after his Delta Air lines flight from Honduras to Atlanta landed. He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had a desperate bathroom emergency 30 minutes into the March 28 flight, but found the single coach aisle on the Boeing 737 blocked by a beverage cart. He said he asked if he could use the lavatory in business class, but was told no.
When the cart wasn’t moved after a few minutes, Correa said, he made a dash for the business class lavatory. He said the flight attendant put up her arm to block him, and he grabbed it to keep his balance. However, the flight attendant had a different recollection of the story. She said Correa grabbed her right arm, pulled it down and twisted it, according to authorities.
“I’m devastated,” the Concord, Ohio, man told the paper. “I’ve never had any event with the police in my life.”
Next time you travel, don’t just pack your swim suit – you may want to think through your Emergency Bathroom Plan!
Jason Barger is author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I HEAR THAT! I had a uti on a flight once. I was in the window seat of a 4 person row (ugh!), and we got trapped with our meal trays for ~45 mins. We all ate in 15 mins or less. After ~30 mins, I called a flight attendant to ask her to take the trays since I really had to go. She said they’d take care of it in just a couple of minutes. For some reason, even though we were probably only ~7 rows back (HUGE plane), we were the last row to have our trays taken. Of course, the line for the coach lavs was incredibly long. I headed for the business class lavs (7 rows away instead of 20+) since no one was waiting there. A flight attendant told me I couldn’t use the lav and would have to wait in line for the coach lav. I said, “Look, I have a uti. Your options are to let me use the business class lav or pee on the floor right here. And I’m not kidding.” She gave me a dirty look and said, “Well, don’t do it again.” I said, “I’ll do it again if I have to. As I said, I’m ill.”
I can understand why the rules are there – you do not want passengers congregating near the flight deck door or near an emergency door. This is just simple security. However, when you’re sitting on the ground and you really really have to go, you go. If the FA has a problem with it, explain. You are better to ask forgiveness than permission.
As for Mr. Correa, it’s his word against hers. An unfortunate situation to be in.
The experiences in this story are quite ironic. I generally fly Business or First, and invariably when the seat belt sign is on px in my section totally ignore it and go to the restroom without any reprimand from the FA’s. That is unless there is a high level of turbulence when common sense prevails. Usually the sign is on only during slight to moderate chop and often when the flight is very calm and the Capt has simply neglected to turn it off. However, this appears to be a “class” situation where in F/B class the FA’s seem to be much more tolerant than in Economy. Clearly double standards apply based on class of service.
So I really feel sorry for Mr. Correa.
And as a “senior” flyer I fully well know that when you have to go you really have to go, so I would probably risk arrest rather messing up myself and my seat.
I think the problem is that flight crews have become way too cynical about passenger motives for “breaking the rules”. Rather than consider that a bathroom emergency may be just that, they automatically assume that the passenger is trying to thwart the system in some devious way. And let’s be honest about it — they probably have legitimate reasons to think that way about passengers.
But in general, having an us-vs-them mentality on a flight is not a positive experience for anyone. Not only for the guy about to make a mess in the seat, but for all the passengers sitting within smelling radius.
On April 10th, 2009 at 10:32 am Bruce InCharlotte said However, when you’re sitting on the ground and you really really have to go, you go. If the FA has a problem with it, explain. You are better to ask forgiveness than permission.
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That’s just it. Bruce. Flight attendants understand the situation, however, please tell me that just as you get up the pilot makes a quick turn or moves the aircraft, you lose your balance, fall to the floor, get injured and sue the airline for millions.
Flight Attendants dont want you up, moving about the cabin until the aircraft makes it final STOP. When the pilot moves the aircraft, he is under the impression that we are doing OUR JOB, making sure everyone is in their seats with their seatbelts on. Flight Attendants have been injured by sudden stops or quick turns. We get workers compensation, and many times have to fight for it. Passengers want big payouts for their own mistakes.
I’ve had Southwest Flight Attendants tell us not to get up while the seat belt sign is lit and on one or two occasions, my bladder has betrayed me anyway. These same flight attendants have always been compassionate about it (read: they have not invited me to pee all over myself.) and made me understand the possible consequences, that I should return to my seat, but indicated they understood if I could not do so.