VA50: all toilets inoperable

[SYD]

Just saw it on no news…. Multiple people apparently soiled themselves…

But that was before the loos went out. Not unusual for bogan flights departing DPS…

 

[PERLHR]

The comments are the best part…. (Although I feel terribly sorry for the passengers stuck on that piece of junk!);

“When Virgin said they were a budget airline, nobody thought the toilets would be cut from the budget.”

“They should change the slogan to: ‘Virgin Australia — taking the piss, because you literally can’t.’”

“Virgin Australia: Wonderful. Unless you need to go.”

Instead of the recent pop up shops gimmick ...pop up loos the new Virgin logo requirement.

 

[nancypants]

ASP doesn't operate all hours (as far as I can tell, why would it) and has no customs facilities (mostly a guess, can't be far off). I don't trust the Australian government (via Border Force) to permit a plane load of passengers off the aircraft onto Australian territory without formal processing, not for a medical emergency let alone this situation (pressing, but admittedly less urgent).

If the path is as you suggest, perhaps the only options are PHE, DRW or PER, though if the call were made above ASP, arguably the call to continue to BNE is technically plausible.

Yeah when I was living in ASP we went through a fair run of international flights being diverted and it was always a huge whinge that no one was allowed off the plane for x amount of time. There is capacity to process immigration and customs but it’s on call and very limited.

I think they used to fly people in specifically to do the pine gap shuttle (or possibly they got cleared on the east coast so it was a domestic flight)- memory fails me at present

 

[DC3]

… the Captain (or FO) was first off the plane in Brisbane. No doubt in a hurry to get to a loo.

 

[SYD]

Yorkshire Airlines future proofed….

 

[PERLHR]

Yorkshire Airlines future proofed….

Come fly with me..classic.

 

[justinbrett]

Good ol’ 4BC

 

[Scarlett]

There’s a Maccas in Darwin these days. Should’ve stopped in there for a quick slash and dash!
That’s what they’re for aren’t they?

More seriously though, if all had failed with about 90 minutes left in the journey, and at that time of the evening, carrying on to BNE sounds like their best or maybe only option.

 

[nonrev-jez]

Might be time for several airlines to look at the fleet types being used on these length of flights.

 

[AuSammy]

Might be time for several airlines to look at the fleet types being used on these length of flights.

Proper maintenance arrangements at all regular ports might be the first step

 

[SeaWolf]

I've noticed a lot of headline writers are having a field day with this. The clickbait headlines practically write themselves!

 

[PERLHR]

Proper maintenance arrangements at all regular ports might be the first step

Not forgetting it is a brand new aircraft.

 

[jastel]

How about some more dunnies on planes...and at the airport...at concerts/stadiums and anywhere more than a few hundred people will be at one time with nothing to do but eat/drink.

Its gotta come out in the end...

 

[N860CR]

I think people forget how remote parts of Australia are. It’s not unusual for aircraft to fly “extended diversion” operations over continental Australia as there just aren’t suitable landing sites.

In this instance, say the plane landed at Alice or Longreach (both suitable for a 73), nobody would be getting off the plane for hours. That could arguably make the situation worse…. You know how your body always senses when it’s 2 blocks from home? Imagine landing, getting the belt buckle ready and then being told “oh, sorry, border force are in Darwin and they’re chartering a turboprop to bring them down. Settle in!”

Sounds like Brisbane was the nearest practical airport. cough situation regardless of how you look at it.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think people forget how remote parts of Australia are.

Yeah but even the remotest airport will have a Dunny or some tree or bush

 

[nancypants]

Yeah but even the remotest airport will have a Dunny or some tree or bush

View attachment 467059

Sometimes there’s even a Qantas club…


That said, bush wee or no bush wee, it wouldn’t change the whole border force aspect of this.

Would I want to be one of the crew trying to stop 200 people with a full bladder forcing their way off? Confirming I would not

 

[Cloud9]

View attachment 467066
Sometimes there’s even a Qantas club…


That said, bush wee or no bush wee, it wouldn’t change the whole border force aspect of this.

Would I want to be one of the crew trying to stop 200 people with a full bladder forcing their way off? Confirming I would not

Looks more like DOM J. Upmarket.

(Edit: Bet they have paper towels there, though...)

 

[luckypierre]

Yeah but even the remotest airport will have a Dunny or some tree or bush

View attachment 467059

This is the updated version at TIB. The original Loo was a galv tin shed long drop, wich had great views whilst you went about your business.

 

[stm1sydney]

View attachment 467066
Sometimes there’s even a Qantas club…


That said, bush wee or no bush wee, it wouldn’t change the whole border force aspect of this.

Would I want to be one of the crew trying to stop 200 people with a full bladder forcing their way off? Confirming I would not

Nicer than the Qantas SYDint J lounge.

 

[Cloud9]

Perhaps an opportunity for Virgin Australia to sponsor reruns of Blackadder.... They should turn this to their advantage...