UC Toilet...or not

I recently flew on the VS-019 to SFO in UCS. I was sitting in 1A, which I think is a fab seat, but then again, anywhere on the top deck in UCS I think is a good seat.

As I was eating my meal and throughout the flight, I noticed people using the UC toilet. Nothing, unusual about that, but these were passengers sitting in PE. It seemed that the first half of the PE passengers used the UCS toilet and the back half used the toilet at the back of the PE cabin.

Now before I get jumped on here, I was not fussed either way, it was a day flight. If it was night time it would bother me. The upstairs cabin in UCS is such that I don't want to be interrupted by flashes of light from the lav, or whacks on the pinkies by non UC folk (and I only say that due to limited numbers on the top deck, and the limited whacks your gonna get!).

I just wondered how other UC folk feel about PE passengers using "their" lavatory. The cabin crew did pull the curtain after the meal's were served, but this didn't seem to bother the passengers! I myself have sat in PE on the top deck, but I would never use the UC toilet, as I know PE does have a dedicated one.

I don't mean to come across snobby, that is not my intention (I only started flying UCS due to V-Flyer in the first place...damn you and now I'm hooked).

Just want other folk's opinion.

[preiffer]

Have to say I agree with you Jonny. On the top deck, there's one toilet for UC and one for PE.

The announcements typically made by US airlines are along the lines of "please ensure you use the washroom facilities designated for your cabin" which helps reinforce this.

Worst I've seen is a queue of 4-5 people waiting for the upper toilet - turned out only the guy IN the washroom was in Upper - all others had trekked from PE.

I have seen downstairs in PE on the A343, a printed sign that does say something along the lines of what you just said, about using the toilets ate the rear of the aircraft.
Maybe they need something similar upstairs on the 744. Who knows.
If a queue ever built up, I would be sure to say something to the crew, although I wouldn't want to appear coming across snobby! Any crew on here like to comment?

Hi Paul

Originally posted by preiffer
Have to say I agree with you Jonny. On the top deck, there's one toilet for UC and one for PE.

I thought there were two bogs for UC on a 744. But I'm getting old, maybe I pee'd on the FO.

Cheers all, Howard

[preiffer]

Good point - there are two on the right hand side [:I]

Isn't there a curtain-type thing that comes across in between them though? I remember on one flight only one being visible (or "perceived as usable") [?]

It also raises the question (surely?!?) - with such limited capacity up stairs - why would 4 or 5 people stand & queue... youd nearly be back at your seat!!
I dont stand & queue in Y, so not much danger of my doing it in PE , never mind UC...
Did you see anyone using the rear wc ? Perhaps it was (dare i say it) broken?
With exception of breakage - then Id agree with the sentiment of the OP - use the toilet for the class your in...
Suppose you could plot your revenge by getting the rest of UC to queue back to the PE toilets... you`d all look a treat in your sleepsuits

Did you see anyone using the rear wc ?

There was nothing wrong as far as I could see with the rear toilet in PE. Crew and PAX were using it.

Suppose you could plot your revenge by getting the rest of UC to queue back to the PE toilets... you`d all look a treat in your sleepsuits

Ah ha! Now that is a plan!

I thought there were two bogs for UC on a 744. But I'm getting old, maybe I pee'd on the FO.

Yes you are right, there are 2 toilets on the upper deck in UC

[Bazz]

On the 744 there have been occasions, commented on here and elsewhere, of the second head, the one closest to the flight deck being put out of service and used only by the crew although this appears to be an unofficial practice.

Totally agree, we have travelled in PE and UC and would not use UC toilets when travelling in PE.

I think it shouldn't be a problem on a B744 where PE has a loo, but on a A343 there isn't one! Even after the "refits".[n]

[RichardMannion]

Ah this old chestnut, one thing that really annoys me when travelling with VS.

A343 are a joke for WC's if travelling in PE, on a 346 its not much better as the passengers from Y use the toilet as it is at the back of the W cabin. I found a long queue goign through the curtain when flying to IAD last month (PE in 346), so had to speak to the crew - they were very aware of the issue as its a common complaint from PE passengers.

I'm sorry but if you are travelling in Y, then you use the Y toilet. If you are travelling in PE then PE toilets etc. The crew should have sorted out the non-UC passengers using the UC toilets.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Ah this old chestnut, one thing that really annoys me when travelling with VS.

A343 are a joke for WC's if travelling in PE, on a 346 its not much better as the passengers from Y use the toilet as it is at the back of the W cabin. I found a long queue goign through the curtain when flying to IAD last month (PE in 346), so had to speak to the crew - they were very aware of the issue as its a common complaint from PE passengers.

I'm sorry but if you are travelling in Y, then you use the Y toilet. If you are travelling in PE then PE toilets etc. The crew should have sorted out the non-UC passengers using the UC toilets.

Thanks,
Richard

I totally agree and it really winds me up too. I get really p***ed when I see a queue of Y passengers waiting at the PE toilet and I wish that cabin crew would do something about it. Some signage would help, certainly. I travel mostly in PE and wouldn't dream of trying to use the UC toilets and would expect to be turned back if I tried. I wish the same applied to Y passengers trying to use the PE loos.

Chris

Originally posted by RichardMannion
............so had to speak to the crew - they were very aware of the issue as its a common complaint from PE passengers.

Yes, Richard, I'm sure crews are aware. However, surely the question is:

'when is VS going to be done about it'[:(!]

When I'm travelling in PE, I woudn't think of using the UC WCs - my class does not include that and I would expect that when I'm travelling in UC, others would extend the same courtesy.
On G-VWIN, there are dedicated PE WCs but they still get used by Y pax. There was a queue of three or so right next to my seat as I was oppostie the toilet and when I wanted to go, I had to go to the Y WCs where there was no queue at all.[:0][:(!]

VS.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Treelo

Originally posted by RichardMannion
............so had to speak to the crew - they were very aware of the issue as its a common complaint from PE passengers.

Yes, Richard, I'm sure crews are aware. However, surely the question is:

'when is VS going to be done about it'[:(!]

There are a few things that need to be addressed - the crew can't stand there gaurding the toilets and ensuring that the correct people are using them, and we know the toilets aren't moving anytime soon. I think that:

a) Clear stickers are put at the front of the Y cabin to explicitly tell custoemrs that the toielts for Economy are located behind them - appreciate it won't stop people full stop, but will help.

b) Be explicit in the flight annoucements about utilisation of the correct toielts for the cabin of travel - I don't recall ever hearing this done properly.

I think some of the issue stems from the varying attitude of crew, some couldn't care less (but this is a minority I will add), others aren't so attentive and will not close the dividing curtains properly during the flight, or fail to pull them close again after passing through with a cart etc. For UCS, there is no excuse really as there are typically staff around the bar area. If I see it happenning, I will point out to the crew and most of the times they deal with the situation.

Thanks,
Richard

Well it seems that this is a regular occurance from the comments here. Lets hope the crew are actually aware.
I think all it would take is some signage and/or an annoucement during the welcome on board/safety chat to use your dedicated toilets for your class of cabin. Failing that, a quick word from the cabin crew to offending PAX.

On my trip, it seemed like the PE passengers thought they had a right to use the UC toilets because the curtain was not always pulled, and lets face it, you can see them from PE in the top deck!

I believe it is an issue that can be ironed out very quickly, cheaply and efficiently. As Treelo says tho, just when is something going to be done about it!

I totally agree, Richard, that some clearly marked signage and a word during the pre-flight announcement would go a long way to alleviate this problem. However, no matter that, as you say, some of the problem stems from the less than attentive attitude of some crews, the main problem is the 'couldn't-care-less' attitude of some passengers:)

When me and the present Mrs Treelo take our trip in a week or so, I will place myself on Upper Deck WC Watch and report my findings back here to HQ[:o)]

I agree with all the comments on here - namely that you use the toilets for the class of travel you are booked in. If you pay a J fare, you expect space [which you get in UCS] and not having to queue behind a number of PE / Y pax for a toilet.

American Airlines are quite good at highlighting the "use the toilets appropriate to your class" message. I've been on their transatlantic 767's on the over wing exit rows, so next to a galley [that serves Business Class], curtain into Business Class & the 2 Business Class toilets behind the curtain. American clip a notice onto the curtain at eye height advising Y pax that their toilets are at the rear of the aircraft. Also, as the galley is occupied for all of the flight there is always at least one FA in there to stop errant Y pax from heading forward for a leak.

I think an announcement from the crew would be a god thing. The one that really bugs me is on the LGW where the downstairs PE use the UC loos. The other half had a fit the other month when the PE and even the small Y bit in the B zone started to form a line and use the UC loo and some woman expected him to get behind 8 people waiting in the B zone to use it!!

On my last UC flight over to the US EVERYTIME I went to the loo I had to wait and EVERYTIME the person who came out returned to their seats in PE. I would have got annoyed by all of this but I wanted to get the autograph of the celebrity who came out of the loo and joined in his family in PE. On the LGW 747 the UC loo is just infront of the lower PE cabin so I can see why they would want to use it as it is so close.

On this flight the FSM did make an announcement on take off about using the loo assigned to your cabin- this obviously didn't work

I guess a big contributor to this problem is that fact that airlines are less inclined to use the curtains to divide up the different cabins for security reasons nowadays. (BA being a notable exception in my experience - they draw the curtains as soon as they can).

As the dividing curtains are not fixed in the "closed" position, passengers find it much easier to sneak through to the nearest toilet, even if it is not the one appropriate to their class of travel.

This is something that VS (& other airlines) need to address. As I said before, you pay your money for an expected level of service. If I travel Y, I expect to queue for the toilet. If I travel in J, I don't [or at worst only have to wait behind other J pax].

I'm sorry but this thread does sound a bit elitist.

So much so that I'm tempted to have a dump in UCS next time I fly just to see if I can wind someone up [:p]

Miopyk

Originally posted by miopyk
I'm sorry but this thread does sound a bit elitist.

So much so that I'm tempted to have a dump in UCS next time I fly just to see if I can wind someone up [:p]

Hehe....

I think the reason that this is an issue, is the very nature of flying in a cramped metal tube for ten hours. If this was anywhere else, in an office or bar or whatever, then toilets for use only by a specific group of people would be a really ****y thing, and anyone who remotely cared what toilet someone else used would need to get themselves a life.

HOWEVER, in this cramped little tube we call an aircraft, things are different. Plane travel is enormously stressful and unpleasant for everyone, but those lucky enough to afford it can make the trip less unpleasant by sitting at the front of the plane where there is more space, and you don't have to queue for the toilet. As such, I think the relative toilet:pax ratio at the front of the plane is one of the things you pay for when you buy such a ticket, and this 'perk' should be regorously defended by the 'staff'.

OK so now I'm going to have a dump and leave the seat up[:o)]

That'll really wind someone up[}:)]

Miopyk

Oh and it's not what you can afford but what you choose to spend it on;)

[:$]