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It seems like the fasten seatbelt sign is never shut off on some flights. But, when you gotta go, you gotta. Unfortunately, one passenger was denied access to the lavatory by a bad flight attendant and she ended up going on the galley floor.
View from the Wing first reported yesterday that the passenger had asked to use the lavatory for over two hours. She is seen in the video posted on Instagram by user @lawgurrl arguing with what seems to be a Spirit Airlines flight attendant. The woman recording makes snarky comments about the woman needing to drink more water because her pee smells and tells the passenger she’s disgusting as she urinates on the floor.
There are no further details around this video, but can you use the lavatory when the seat belt sign is on?
A 2018 article from North Carolina Criminal Law says that it is a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) to ignore the seat belt sign.
14 C.F.R. 121.317(f) states that an airplane passenger shall fasten his or her safety belt about him or her and keep it fastened while the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign is lighted. The statutory basis for the rule is 49 U.S.C. § 44701, which allows the FAA to issue regulations and minimum standards for . . . practices, methods, and procedure the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. The violation is civil, not criminal. The applicable penalty provision is 49 U.S.C. § 46301(a)(5)(A), which authorizes a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for violations of a regulation prescribed . . . under 49 U.S.C. § 44701.”
This law is not enforced often if at all, but flight attendants will consistently tell passengers when the seat belt sign is on that they’re using the bathroom at their own risk. I have heard many say that they cannot tell a passenger not to use it (especially in an emergency situation) but they have to inform them that the sign is illuminated and they should be in their seat. It could get a little sticky if a flight attendant says you’re not following crewmember instructions (failure to comply with their instructions violates 14 C.F.R. 121.317(k)).
Anthony’s Take: This is sad that this woman felt she had no choice but to urinate on the floor. Shame on the crew for not allowing her to use the restroom. She clearly is upset and the person filming this is out of line as well (especially if she is a flight attendant and had not permitted her).
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1 comment
What a load of crap, this woman must be ignorant to the fact she could no go to the bathroom. The seat belt sign is a precaution that turbulence may happen. Ever hear them say while seated please keep your seat belt fastened? she got up to piss on the floor, why didn’t she go in the bathroom.