If there's one thing I've learned in this life, it's that sometimes holding it isn't an option. This week, a man flying from Honduras to Atlanta wound up in jail after using the bathroom in business class.
According to his side of the story, he had food poisoning and couldn't wait any longer. A drink cart was blocking his way to the economy-class bathroom, and though he'd already been told he wasn't allowed to use the business-class bathroom, he went for it. A flight attendant blocked his way and he touched her arm to steady himself. She claims he manhandled her.
If he did hurt her, that's wrong and obviously I would take her side on the issue. I wasn't there so I can't say. BUT I do feel a lot of pity for the poor guy. What is he supposed to do in this situation?
I'll confess that I've snuck into the business-class bathrooms before when I was unable to reach the economy-class ones. I know it's a TSA policy that everyone use the bathrooms in their flight cabins, but I feel like this should be relaxed in the event of an emergency.
Plus, couldn't the flight attendant have moved her cart a little to let the poor man go to the restroom?
Comments
Apr 09, 2009
Wow, that's tough, I'm not sure. I know I've been in Business Class before and been irritated at people from Economy using the fancy bathrooms (MY fancy bathrooms!), but at the same time an emergency is an emergency, you know? And surely it's better that he used the Business Class bathroom than had an accident in the middle of the aisle?
Apr 09, 2009
If they're going to be that strict about the rules, then the flight attendant really should have moved the cart to let him through. Sounds like it was pretty apparent that he wasn't kidding around, and that flight attendant surely wouldn't want to have to clean up any messes if he didn't make it to the bathroom on time.
Apr 11, 2009
This is a tricky one. Is it a real emergency case or just simply out of convenience?
The flight attendant or the chief attendant should be able to make discretionary call at times and give the benefit of doubt! I am not sure does this happen every day till they have to be so strict?
Apr 12, 2009
Segragation is illegal ! You have 100 people trapped on a plane, how dare you tell me I must be in complete control of my bowel movements. Do I look like a robot to you ?
Apr 13, 2009
I guess the airline was a bit tough on that guys. Come on, After all we are all human beings and rules are made by humans for humans. Authority should check the situation before accusing a person. I should say, this is a bit unfair...
Apr 13, 2009
When I read this entry, I thought, "I bet this guy's dark skinned, and the airline is Delta." Hey! Guess what!
Aug 20, 2009
Now that's not fair.It was an emergency case.