Virgin - Aircraft Toilets

[kevrosmith]

All of the Y pax trying to use the forward toilets on my two J flights in the E190s looked to the left (main door), cracked open the curtain to the right (galley), pirouetted 2-3 times, then went back to the rear of the plane to look for the toilet. Five separate pax did this over the two flights.

Yep, I've seen all those combinations, variations and more. I've never considered it difficult to find where the toilets are located on the a plane, but I suppose for the non-frequent traveler, perhaps it is unfamiliar.

To add to this conversation: I, for one, and generally I'd like to think I typically have a fairly relaxed perspective on these matters, am glad for having the front toilet to myself on my frequent E190 SYD-CNS legs. On this sector, it is enforced to varying degrees, sometimes not at all, and I don't get too stressed when that happens.

When I wasn't happy about it was when there were a large number of pax, including a number of minors, who, it would seem, were not accustomed to using a Western-style toilet. When I went to use the toilet, there was pee all over the floor (and I'm not just talking about the usual "can't aim straight" dribble). I can't imagine how they attempted to use it as a squat toilet. Perhaps they need to start displaying signs showing how a western-style toilet is used? (I've seen these signs before elsewhere).

That flight was particularly bad in regard to J service all round, as the crew (including the J CSM) hung around the back of the plane, so they didn't do a good job of monitoring the access to the toilet, nor of its disgusting state.

 

[SuzieQ68]

It makes a difference with the foot traffic through the cabin more than anything, business is meant to be a more private and comfortable way to fly - part of that would be toilet queues as well.

Although, the practicality of such a system must be questioned on the E190s IMO considering the toilet situation.

Now that I totally understand. It would be frustrating to have a number of guests milling around the front of the cabin - especially when you've paid for a premium product. It's really the smaller aircraft that are a problem as far as I can determine. On the most recent flight with Virgin (Embraer), nothing was actually mentioned during the pre-takeoff spiel about the front toilet being used for J passengers only, so I actually thought the policy might have changed, that was until a passenger was pointed down the back just as he stepped foot into the J cabin (not that it was blocked off). Haven't flown QF in years, but do they still 'curtain off' the cabins? Maybe that's what's needed - a visual deterrent. In saying that though I still think that only having 1 toilet available in Y for the majority on an Embraer can create a bit of an issue - especially when the J cabin isn't even close to being full. Appreciate the feedback though.

 

[kevrosmith]

Qantas does still have a curtain, which, on my flights is closed 99% of the time after take off.

As I understand it, on the new VA E190 fit-out, with the 1-2 seat layout in J, they have the same snakey-barrier that is in use on the B737-800s. On my VA flights, including the E190, they always announce that there are two toilets, one at the front, for our customers in Business, and one at the rear, for the main cabin.

I've seen pax in row 3 of the B737s go through the barrier to use the front toilet, so it's a bit hit-and-miss how well it's enforced all around.

 

[SuzieQ68]

So I'm guessing that the curtain is a pretty good deterrent.

Flew the new Embraer layout last weekend (twice even) and they didn't use the snakey barrier, so perhaps an oversight.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

When I wasn't happy about it was when there were a large number of pax, including a number of minors, who, it would seem, were not accustomed to using a Western-style toilet. When I went to use the toilet, there was pee all over the floor (and I'm not just talking about the usual "can't aim straight" dribble).

I can't imagine how they attempted to use it as a squat toilet. Perhaps they need to start displaying signs showing how a western-style toilet is used? (I've seen these signs before elsewhere).

Reminds me of the odd charter flight DRW/KOE taking illegal fisherman home.

Saw a couple of them on another such flight a few months later & was tempted to give them a special "we'd like to welcome back our frequent travellers" mention during the welcome on board PA but thought it may not be appropriate.

 

[codash1099]

I'm totally and firmly against Y passengers using J toilets. We paid for the comfort and deserve to be left in peace to enjoy it.

The only exception to this is when I'm flying Y, and then I believe that my status gives me the right to do whatever I want.

:mrgreen:

 

[Sprucegoose]

The good thing about having Tiger and the orange cancer is that it quarantines the Shazzas and Dazzas on to those planes and away from QF and DJ.

Who were formally 3rd class Titanic pax.......

 

[DC3]

Yes - aka steerage

 

[medhead]

All of the Y pax trying to use the forward toilets on my two J flights in the E190s looked to the left (main door), cracked open the curtain to the right (galley), pirouetted 2-3 times, then went back to the rear of the plane to look for the toilet. Five separate pax did this over the two flights.

And I've seen this numerous times on DJ 737s, from both J and on all Y aircraft. Never on QF. A big indication to me that the average DJ passenger is very unfamiliar with flying.

So I'm guessing that the curtain is a pretty good deterrent.

The curtain is just about no deterrent, people from rows 4 to 6 or 7 have no problems with pushing through the curtain. I always use the rear toilet because I can stand upright and don't have to hunch over as in the front. I find that the enforcement and polite direction to the back works best, on DJ, on the rare occasion that someone goes past the barrier. This is something that DJ do much better than QF, they actively protect the integrity of the boarding process, the J cabin and the J overheads. Sure there must be some exceptions, but QF just about never protect these things.

 

[docjames]

The dj 738 rope seems far more effective than the QF curtain in impeding y pax flowing to the j toilet.


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[tuapekastar]

I see the point of the OP, it is a very disproportionate allocation of toilets/pax between the J/Y cabins on the E190. But I also think it is a little too difficult and ultimately confusing for pax to try and do things like this differently on different aircraft.

I am often in the front row of Y on QF/DJ 737s and will always dutifully make my way to the back of the bus to use the toilet when needed, though on one or two occasions (usually when cart blocking aisle) an FA has invited me to go forward to use one.

I'm for J pax using J toilets, and Y pax using Y toilets...a pain in some instances, but I think consistency rules.

 

[Hvr]

The dj 738 rope seems far more effective than the QF curtain in impeding y pax flowing to the j toilet.


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If the requirement to flow is urgent I'd move the rope.

Having said that I am generally respectful of the class requirements when it comes to toileting but as noted elsewhere if the trolley is going to prevent me using the requisite loo then I'll be a wee bit presumptuous and go forward.