LOOS in UC

why are the toilets in UC so poor on VS
They are usually smelly - no air fresheners etc and let down Virgin UC compared with other airlines

I was disappointed when I flew UC that the toilets aren't any bigger than the Y toilets, on other airlines, they are bigger, and so much easier to change in to. It is rather difficult being 6ft 4in and trying to change in there! [n]

Sorry to hear that your flight was full of children! When I flew to DXB in Dec, there was one child on the outbound flight, he was crying as he didn't like his seat, and being on his own!! [:(!] Returning we didn't have any.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Oh god -- that thread headline. I thought Beckham's old PA was doing something to a pig in UCS.

GJ

[:o)][:o)]

You never fail to make me smile/laugh GJ! [^][^]

Dominic

They are big enough for children. perhaps they are trying to tell you something? (Tounge in cheek mode off)
They used to have a lot more in them and they were nice smelling, but since they changed the layout (at least in 747's) so that these toilets are now used by the PE/Econ sections just behind the curtain.

Wait for the 787, that has bigger toilets.

There is a Project Team working on improving the loos on all VS Aircraft in all cabins.

I know there are going to be some changes made in the J class loos first. I did read on a VS Cabin Crew publication what was going to happen but I don't want to get into trouble by saying what it said.
It all sounded good though.

Being a CSS I always mention the toilets in my briefing and how we should try to keep them as clean as we can whilst in the air. Its difficult though we don't get given very good thing to so. I agree with you the J class loos should be larger. I can't see that happening though.

Originally posted by virgin is the best

I agree with you the J class loos should be larger. I can't see that happening though.

Why do you not think they will make the J Class loos larger? It does make it rather difficult trying to change......[xx(]

I like that, a "project team" to look into loo's!!!!! That's straight out of a "new" Labour campaign. Seriously though, the toilets are one of a list of improvements VS are looking at.

As for loo size, it's the seat that makes no profit so why give it more leg room!!!

How about a new thread "Best Loo's"?? Once flew Air Mauritius & in J/F they unlocked the door to let you in & cleaned up atfer you left. Nice smell & clean/dry floors are highest on my list.

Just as GJ likes an amenity kit, so do I love a topic about loos.

Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing too tea room about them for me, and I don't want to emulate Ranulph Bonker Fiennes (or whatever his name is) on a Qantas jet (mind you, some VS crew are quite delish!). It's just that the act of taking a 1 or 2 in comfortable surroundings should be one of lifes pleasures. Sadly, it isn't in the air, and VS are among the worst offenders!

So, well done for the loo committee I say - make 'em swanky, smelling of narcissi and full of magazines for reading [}:)]

[Bazz]

Surely you don't need a project team to deal with this problem? All that is necessary is to have a rota which the crew have to adhere to (and sign off) with simple things like checking the head is clean and consumables are replenished? It is not Rocket Science!

[HighFlyer]

.... and someone to go in and spray a bit of air freshener at various intervals to ward off the effect of alcohol and curries on the human body at 36k feet!

Thanks,
Sarah

Fantastic, a committe to state the bleeding obvious? It never ceases to amaze me, how much lunacy there is around?

As Denzil said it doesnt take a lot to make them smell nice, keep the floor dry!! Why do they give you socks to put on, some of the toilets you need flippers or wellies to get in to them? And the floors never get dried off?

Originally posted by virgin is the best
There is a Project Team working on improving the loos on all VS Aircraft in all cabins.

I know there are going to be some changes made in the J class loos first. I did read on a VS Cabin Crew publication what was going to happen but I don't want to get into trouble by saying what it said.
It all sounded good though.

Being a CSS I always mention the toilets in my briefing and how we should try to keep them as clean as we can whilst in the air. Its difficult though we don't get given very good thing to so. I agree with you the J class loos should be larger. I can't see that happening though.

The design of them is totally wrong. If you are 5 ft 1" then yes you can use them, but any bigger and your head is hitting the wall above and you have to pee at an angle!
I would imagine one of the problems with putting in bigger toilets is that they are a standard built cubicle slotted in, and to make a bigger one is more costly, plus the surrounding panels/room etc also has to be changed.

Originally posted by Bazz
Surely you don't need a project team to deal with this problem? All that is necessary is to have a rota which the crew have to adhere to (and sign off) with simple things like checking the head is clean and consumables are replenished? It is not Rocket Science!

As part of crew safety duties the crew have to check the loos every so often it does happen. We do have things onboard to wipe down the toilets with and we use what we have to do the best we can. A project team has been set up because VS know that this is a much bigger problem then just the crew cleaning the loos. They are looking at other thing not just how clean they are. Please remember that the crew also serve food and there is only so much we can do when it comes to cleaning the loos. Maybe if people that went in there had a little respect for the next person that would help. The amount of times I go into a loo to find the sink covered in soap scum or sometimes even vomit or spit or the floor covered in loo roll or pee or the tolilet seat coverd in pee. I know it's not customer responsability to clean toilets and I am not asking you too just trying to let you know what the crew are up against. A rota is the simple answer and VS know that. It will get better and I think it has been getting better over the last few months from a crew point of view becasue crew are more aware of the problem.

If you are on a flight and you find the loos to be vile please tell a CSS or FSM. As a CSS I would be very dissapointed in my crew if a customer found the toilets to be messy. Maybe it comes down to the CSS and FSM to ensure that crew are doing the checks. I know on my flights the loos are always tidy and fully stocked because I do ensure the crew do it and do I. I never have any loo complaints.

Originally posted by virgin is the best

Maybe if people that went in there had a little respect for the next person that would help. The amount of times I go into a loo to find the sink covered in soap scum or sometimes even vomit or spit or the floor covered in loo roll or pee on the tolilet seat cover in the pee. I know it's not customer responsability to clean toilets and I am not asking you too just trying to let you know what the crew are up against.

I have a friend in the catering industry who tells me that "its not his toilets that are dirty but the customers who use them"

I would always like to think that after I have used them, they are always as clean or cleaner than before I went in.[:I]

David

(might have a problem with the vomit though [:$][:$][:$])

I wish everyone was like you. Am afraid to say though that we have some very dirty people in out society and some of them make it onto our Airplanes.

Vomit and spit is not the worst.
Some people even miss the loo when going for a number 2 and it ends up on the floor.

Woudl you agree there is a limit to what crew can do as food servers. Cleaning Vomit,Pee and Poo off the floor should not be expected of us. Some of us will do it but not all. I will do vomit if its a small amount but I will not touch either of the other 2.

Thanks everyone for such an open and honest debate
I think an air freshener (automatic ones are very cheap) would be a very cheap start to this insolvable problem

We have had new air freshners put in over the last 2 weeks. They have made them smell much nicer. Next time you are in there have a look behind the door. They are loacted in metal holders towards the ceiling.

Why do they smell when the likes if SIA and BA have really nice loos in their Business and F cabins - Sorry its no excuse!

There is no excuse thats why VS have set up the project team!!

But why let it get that way in the first place - There are supposed to be some kind or quality policies in place I am sure as the toilets do not clean themselves - Good to hear anyway they are doing something about it - maybe the next project team should look at other areas that VS sometimes let themselves down - Keith

Originally posted by virgin is the best

Some people even miss the loo when going for a number 2 and it ends up on the floor.

Damn turbulence [:$]

I find it difficult to be too passionate about any airline loo. I think the ones in the newer 346's are fine, if a bit small.

All I would like would be one large size toilet (as I've only experienced on a SQ 747) and a window too look out of, that would be cool.

Dean

The Tories have a committee to tax you on the use of aircraft toilets, which will improve matters no end!!!!!

In my opinion they need to be bigger and definitely need a window. I don't think that crew should be expected to clean the toilets as they have to serve food and that could cause worse problems.
However, what is needed most is a bit of common sense/courtesy/basic hygiene from pax.

VS.

[Scrooge]

When it comes to the size of the loo, yes the airline is responsible, but come on, most of us have flown and at least some of us have walked into the lav after someone has used it, stood there and thought "what the hell is wrong with these people"

I couple of years ago I went into a toilet on a US carrier, it honestly looked like someone had repainted it with #2.I stepped back out, reached up and hit the crew lock and grabbed a crew member, she wasn't very happy about me locking the door...till she opened it and promptly threw up just to add to the mess/smell.

Yes there are times that the crew should address the loo issue, but honestly it is not their job to deal with some sub human taking a #2 on the floor, walls etc.