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Passenger's bathroom dash causes panic on United flight
You know when you've just downed your water bottle before reaching airport security? And you didn't have time to use the airport bathroom? And then the plane is delayed on the tarmac? Yeah, even then...don't use the airplane toilet before takeoff.
One passenger learned the hard way yesterday. United Flight 22 had already left the gate at Los Angeles International Airport, but hadn't taken off yet, and the man needed to use the toilet. But of course the fasten seat belt sign was on and a flight attendant told him to sit down.
He got up and ran to the toilet anyway.
I could easily imagine that happening. In my mind, it's more of a personal emergency and not a threat to public safety.
But apparently, the flight crew didn't think so. The plane was brought back to the gate. Once there, the man was escorted out, and the other passengers were let off the plane. Then, the plane was searched.
What did they find? Nothing. Nothing on the plane. Nothing in the man's luggage. Nothing but proof that the passenger really needed to use the toilet.
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Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
friendly skies Sep 29th 2009 2:40PM
This would not have been a problem if he had just told the flight attendents he really had to go to the bathroom. Sounds like he failed to communicate his intentions, therefore, they thought he was acting suspiciously. If the plane was taxiing he shouldn't get up. They did what they were suppose to do with a suspicious passenger. Don't use this as another excuse to beat up on the airlines. I'd rather they be cautious than the alternative.
Cameron Bell Sep 29th 2009 4:02PM
Dumb ass flight attendants! When you gotta go, you gotta go -- and that's no shit -- well, maybe in this case it was.... I had the same problem on a flight many years ago and haven't flown since. If this ever happens to anyone else, you should just do it all over the plane. Maybe hen these stupid ass flight attendants will understand... Greez... What idiots!!!
Aboona Joe Sep 29th 2009 5:32PM
Are you serious???! Do you REALLY think he forgot to say -- or just DIDn't say -- "I gotta go to the bathroom"???! Seriously, the only thing we lack in this country in the face of mindless bureaucracy is COMMON SENSE!
me Sep 29th 2009 6:00PM
Um I'd rather him "go" ......then crap his pants and have to sit Next TO ME IN IT TIL TAKEOFF then what he gets to move and I'm stuck next to a shitty seat in an overcrowded plane????
teddilong Sep 29th 2009 11:17PM
The filght att (yes) were doing there job,but realy if someone has to go,the faa does not have the right to tell anyone they can't go to the bathroom.They have to come up with a solution so passangers flights wont be delayed longer than they already are.
JOHN Sep 29th 2009 8:57PM
I AM SICK AND TIRED OF OVER ZEALOUS AND MORONIC FLIGHT ATTENDENTS, THEY NEED TO START USING SOME COMMON SENSE AND ASK A FEW SIMPLE QUESTIONS BEFORE THEY PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON. THEY WAY OVER SUPER PSYCOTIC, AND NEED TO GO BACK INTO BASIC TRAINING AGAIN. DONT GIVE THE BS THAT THEY ACTED PROPERLY BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU, HE SHOULD HAVE PISSED IN THEIR POCKETS TO GET HIS POINT ACROSS
Bob Sep 29th 2009 11:21PM
First of all shouldn't this adult have known he had to pee before boarding a commercial airline. The flight attendents are responsible for the safety of all passengers. The minute this clown disobeyed orders the standard operating procedure is to have this imbecile removed and all passengers rescreened per TSA and Department of Homeland Security measures put in place to protect the low class traveling public.
I have worked in the commercial aviation industry for 20 years and see these idiots every flight. The trip could be delayed by hours and it never fails the minute you start to board some asshole asks do I have time to use the rest room. How would I know. Is it 1 or 2. Get half of a clue and take greyhound.
You idiots never cease to amaze me.
Hugh Sep 29th 2009 11:54PM
This so-called adult didn't have the foresight to piss before he got on the plane? "Okay kids, we're getting ready to go, anyone need to use the bathroom?" Sound familiar? This jackass inconvenienced everyone on that plane. He should be made to pay a fine - after being punched in the face by everyone on board.
D Sep 29th 2009 2:56PM
So what if you are going to crap your pants if you don't go? Sometimes you simply cannot wait. And do you have to have a bomb planted in the bathroom before the planr takes off? You cant do it after it's in the air? REDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!
joleea3 Sep 29th 2009 3:34PM
In these times they have to be careful. I understand them doing this. My goodness it would have been a different story if indeed he had put a bomb in there.
Kyoteee Sep 30th 2009 4:38AM
Wrong! This whole alleged "security" nonsense went off the deep end years ago. All the captain had to do was check the toilet for signs of pee and/or poop (to prove the passenger's story) then get back to the cockpit and leave the airport. It's stupid-stupid-stupid to go back to the gate, wait an interminable time for everyone to get their stuff and deplane, then back again, etc., etc. The ONLY exception would be if a "suspicious" passenger is a male in his twenties and of Middle Eastern origin. But no, Americans are being forced to suffer indignities, personal violations, and threatening and intimidating behavior from the TSA Nazis. For no reason at all.
jamesnpost Sep 29th 2009 3:43PM
If you are taking a bomb onto an airplane, why bother taking it into the toilet? You are going to die when it goes off. Do you want TSA to figure out that the best place to carry a bomb onto an airplane is "kiestered"? How about a body cavity search to get on an airplane? Every time.... Why not, if it reeeeally keeps us safe, right? Spread 'em, you chumps. Cringe in fear and spread 'em.
Ryan Sep 29th 2009 4:30PM
I would've just went and let them deal with the aftermath of me suing them for public humiliation and public defecation...and later, the public defamation of my character once the media got ahold of the story of a guy pooing himself while stuck on the runway. Talk about some treadmarks on the undies of modern society, huh? Lol.
JP Sep 29th 2009 4:17PM
He should have asked.or did he and was told "No piss your pants"! He had already passed through security-where would he have gotten a bomb...but what the hell happened to common sense on the airlines part...I am so happy I grew up in the time I did-to be young in this screwed time is no fun-good luck to all and our future!
Brian Workman Sep 29th 2009 3:54PM
It sure did Piss someone off to delay those passenger unnecessarily. So the guy had to Piss?! The female stewardess's should piss off also!! Big Deal. Anything to harass the customers!!!!
Al tam Oct 5th 2009 12:37AM
This is absurd. Dumb flight attendants overreacting. Overreacting makes people feel like they're busy and doing their job.
ranch hand rick Sep 30th 2009 9:36AM
Well, Osama Bin Laden wins again... We panic at every little thing that happens, and he sits back and laughs at us... Shame on us....
co777capt Sep 29th 2009 4:50PM
No laws are broken, as long as the flight attendant calls the pit and tells the Captain. The plane can not move until the pax is back in his seat. If a fed is onboard, and the plane moves, then the Captain will probably get a $20,000 fine, and a month on the beach. happily retired and not dealing with ANY morons
web Sep 29th 2009 5:32PM
I bet he did leave a bomb in the toilet
Tom Sep 29th 2009 5:40PM
This really saddens me. "Why?" you ask.
Because the terrorists have won. They have changed our lives. They have slowed us down, made us miserable. They cost us time and money. They have us arguing and fighting among ourselves.
Too bad we can't just give them a whole country for themselves. And when they're all there, make a nuclear wasteland out of it . . .