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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 3 of 3)
fiddlydee Sep 29th 2009 8:23PM
Some comments by former employees of the airlines is exactly why I no longer fly! Brain dead idoits at best!!! Take your over priced industry and shove it where the sun don't shine!!!
Craig Sep 29th 2009 9:20PM
This just makes me laugh. Everyone with the better safe than sorry junk. Really not like differant technologies exist to help make us safer. Oh no just keep banning stuff and making it more difficult. What reall makes me laugh is th fact that because I am in the Military I am automatically pulled for an extra security check everytime I fly on a non mil flight( flight contracted exclusively for military only personel usually on the way for deployment. SO I have a question how is pulling me for extra checks on my way back to Iraq making the airlines any safer. People wake up and realize that most of these regs for "safety" are nothing but a joke.
Ron Sep 29th 2009 8:45PM
So they brought the plane back to the gate. Removed the passengers to search the plane? So what is the purpose of the TSA and all the crap you go through just to get on the thing? Looking at things, the plane was going to take off sooner or later. That is where it was heading. That is why it left the gate. So if the plane had taken off and when altitude was reached, the Captain turned off the seat belt indicator, this guy could get up and use the lavatory. He couldn't use the thing on the ground, but he could use it at 30,000 feet. I am sure the guy informed the attendants that he had a problem. If the guy was going to do something to say blow up the plane, he could have done it at 30,000 feet.
Carloz Sep 29th 2009 8:46PM
Passengers should have the right to act suspiciously in an airplane. We're spoiled rotten Americans and our behaviour can never be questioned or profiled by anyone trying to keep everyone safe. What's the use of being a spoiled rotten American if you can't indulge any urge you have, at any time, in any circustance including war by terrorists on airplanes... acting suspiciously.
texas radio Sep 29th 2009 9:14PM
Toilet Nazis
Jennifer Sep 29th 2009 9:41PM
"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."
Tom, much as I hate to admit it, you are right. The terrorists HAVE won. We were so united after 911 with flags flying everywhere and more love amongst my countrymen than I have seen since I was a kid. Now it's name calling with families and friends divided, some forever. It saddens me, too.
Kris Sep 29th 2009 9:55PM
Another reason I choose tor drive rather than fly. If I need to go the bathroom or one of my children needs to go than I can control when they can go rather than being humiliated for needing to go in an emergency. I can also control my children's and my surroundings and not have to worry about some rude flight attendent trying to throw her power around. Very sad at what has become of the airkines.
pete Sep 29th 2009 10:05PM
Should of just pissed on the floor and moved to another seat ASAP after take off.
p Sep 29th 2009 10:05PM
these flight attendants think backwards if the guy had to go he had to go they gripe about him using the restroom but if he actually whipped it out and pee right there in a bottle they wouldnt gripe he get praised but then when he uses the restroom he gets the 3rd degree flight attendants are boneheads but its also the guys fault for not openin his own mouth or the attendandts should've paid more close attention to the guys actions he may not have said he needed to go but i bet he sure hell showed he had to go. how would the flight attendants feel if the shoe was on the opposite foot.
Joe Sep 29th 2009 10:25PM
I'm tired of the Flight Attendents Pushing the Panic Buttons as well... I fly all the time, theres common sense.. and then there's stupidity.. THE GEORGE BUSH ERA retards has dumafied most of the people in this country.. jeez.. did him having to go to the bathroom really mean turn the plane around and go back to the gate ?? REALLY?? THEY WERE THAT STUPID???
Kelly Sep 29th 2009 11:44PM
It's a little difficult to imagine a man being arrested and passengers being forced off a plane because of a potty break. I'm sure the flight attendant knew his intentions and CLEARLY overreacted. What's going to happen with him in the bathroom during take-off anyway? I'd think that little extra G-force would be helpful, lol. A difficult situation to be sure, don't think subsequent events were warranted.
Jason Sep 29th 2009 11:42PM
THIS is exactly why I refuse to fly!! I would rather spend more money, and take longer to get somewhere than have to deal all the garbage between the airports, their dim witted security, and flight attendents. Its absolutely DISGUSTING that since 9/11 the way we live our lives in fear when it comes to airplanes.
steve326m Sep 30th 2009 12:46AM
This post I'm now making is a joke but sometimes, you stop and wonder if someday, this will be the way it will be....
1 we surrender all luggage as in no more carry-on luggage.
2 we are all strip & cavity searched.
3 a catheter is inserted with bag attached.
4 a bedpan is issued (for a fee of course).
5 a hospital johnny is issued.
6 board the plane with military escorts each carrying an M-16
7 told to sit down, shut up, eyes front and anyone getting up will be shot.
8 at destination, taken off my military escort to a "Security" area where we all must account for the equipment issued (catheters & bedpans & johnny etc).
9 go through TSA screening again to be given clearance to leave the airport.
I'm sure I'll get a few comments on this one. But it makes you wonder.BTW, I agree, the terrorists have won.
Thanks for reading,
God Bless,
Steve & Myrlita
Bacolod City, PH. Formally of MA.
everyone'stheexpert Sep 30th 2009 1:19AM
The people who board and immediately go to the bathroom are probably the same people who will drive their car nonstop for 12 hrs without stopping! And to the pencil pushing jerks who fly twice a month and think they are "experts" on everything- stop bashing on flight attendants as a hobby, buy your own jet and save us all from listening to your complaining! There are so many safety rules in place because of this sue happy society! If people could just take a little responsibility for their own actions the rules wouldn't be there to begin with! You trip during turbulance and get a bruise and you think you deserve a million dollars, but what you get instead are rules to prevent the lawsuit from happening again.
chip Sep 30th 2009 10:12AM
that's why i carry an empty gatorade bottle with me. no exceeding carry on fluids, as its empty. wide mouth, easy entry. sorry, lady next to me. look the other way. the seat belt sign is on. i just love being a guy!
Jan T Sep 30th 2009 12:03PM
For those who think that forethought on the part of the passenger would have solved the problem, they are ignoring the possibilities that 1) the plane may have been waiting a long time already on the tarmac and 2) the man may have a problem in that area to begin with. He may have prostate problems, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis or some other condition that causes the sudden urgent need to go to the toilet. Adequate communication from all parties and reasonable common sense on the part of flight attendants could have avoided all this trouble.
Elizabeth Sep 30th 2009 3:50AM
Unfortunately, travel by plane is becoming less and less convenient. With all the security hassles we have to go through in an airport today, honestly I think it would be easier if people had to ride planes naked (so that there would be absolutely only one way to sneak anything on board), and the bags sent ahead on another plane. And yes, I understand the reasons behind these policies, 9/11 was horrible, blah blah blah. But seriously, in an effort to make travel by air safer, the FAA has just made it more of a hassle. It's no wonder no one wants to travel by air anymore when you read stories like this, not to mention the baggage fees and not being able to say goodbye to someone at their gate or pick them up, even if it's a child flying alone. I really think that when the government rethinks healthcare, they should rethink air travel. In the meantime, train companies should take this opportunity to bring customers back.
Tony Sep 30th 2009 4:57AM
I have a mediucal porblem call Collitis. Its a bowel problem and when I have to take a crap I have about 30 seconds to find a place to go or I will crap my pants which I have no plans on doing. I have gone in restrauants, church, and other parking lots. Its awful but when u have to go u have to go.
These functioning moron flight attantants need more training... God help anyone who try to keep me from using a bathroom.
joleea3 Sep 30th 2009 5:23PM
Excuse me for having an opinion slick!!!!
mary collins finn Oct 28th 2009 5:01PM
To the people on here who say this guy should have gone beforehand, I hope they find themselves in the same situation some day. They often have coffee and even beer stands at departure gates and one has to get there early and sit around. Then if you board and you are left sitting on the runway for an hour or more (happens more often than not), it is natural you will need to go. There has to be some provision, but there's not. I was behind someone recently on a flight cross country who asked the attendant and she said no, you can't - we were two steps from the loo at the back of the plane. SOmeone else walked down the aisle and she stopped him too. This has become ridiculous!!!!!!!!