A333 front PE toilets

Thread drift!!!

Back on track, and as I've said before, surely this is only an issue because of the number of PAX in this cabin and hence the high demand for the loo. Once J is fitted the whole issue will probably go away as there will be at very most one or 2 queueing at any one time.

Thread drift!!!

Back on track, and as I've said before, surely this is only an issue because of the number of PAX in this cabin and hence the high demand for the loo. Once J is fitted the whole issue will probably go away as there will be at very most one or 2 queueing at any one time.

Maybe, maybe not - by the fares are the same for PE regardless of interim configs etc.

It would matter to those buying the PE (one cabin) service and not receiving it - so I believe that this is indeed an issue.

Thread drift!!!

Back on track, and as I've said before, surely this is only an issue because of the number of PAX in this cabin and hence the high demand for the loo. Once J is fitted the whole issue will probably go away as there will be at very most one or 2 queueing at any one time.

Maybe, maybe not - by the fares are the same for PE regardless of interim configs etc.

It would matter to those buying the PE (one cabin) service and not receiving it - so I believe that this is indeed an issue.

Sorry, don't agree with this. If you travel out of LHR on an A343 you don't get dedicated toilets either in PE. Checking the VS website there is no mention of toilets, I could say I have more of a complaint as on 2 different pages it states you get stainless steel cutlery and in my last 4 PE services in August all were plastic!

Diamond 4: has the crew on the VS 75 and/or 76 not had 'rest' during their downtime in Orlando? I have no quibble with crew having their meals/coffee/tea breaks just like every other worker but, when I go to work , I don't expect to have a 2 or 3 hour sleep halfway during my working day. v( Or am I being too hard?

Yes,
Comparing a regular job to that of cabin crew/flight crew is like comparing apples and pears.

Between the start and end of your shift a person with a regular job doesn't go through several time zones, amongst other things I don't begrudge the Cree blocking off one of many toilets in an aircraft, just to get some peace and quiet after all many work places have canteens away from phones or you can nip to your car to get away from it if need be. Crew don't have that luxury.

Firefighters sleep on the job, so to speak and should the worst occur, your cabin crew would perform their duties at 30,000ft and pretty much no one begrudges firefighters of a bit of sleep why all this negativity because crew want to sleep or in this case just have time out between services, whilst still on duty keeping an eye and ear on your safety.


This has the potential to open a can of worms...

If I pay for a premium service, I don't expect long queues for a pee. That's not premium, full stop.

The introduction of the two A333s has been nothing short of a complete feck up for VS. Heads should roll.

If I pay for a premium service, I don't expect long queues for a pee. That's not premium, full stop.

The introduction of the two A333s has been nothing short of a complete feck up for VS. Heads should roll.

y) y) y) y)

Wow Slinky:o) I do agree though that the A333 intoduction has been less than 100% organised and thought through....we don't know, though, what the actual long term plan is - do we? (I wonder if VS do?)

Bottom line in my view is that whatever the config and reasons, one shouldn't need to queue for 15 minutes plus (as quoted by someone on here) to take a bathroom break...as you say.

Between the start and end of your shift a person with a regular job doesn't go through several time zones,

Through choice surely. After all no one forced cabin crew into that occupation.

why all this negativity because crew want to sleep or in this case just have time out between services, whilst still on duty keeping an eye and ear on your safety.

Sorry, don't quite understand this comment. How can someone sleep on duty and keep an eye and ear on pax safety?

This has the potential to open a can of worms...

In what way?

Thread drift!!!

Back on track, and as I've said before, surely this is only an issue because of the number of PAX in this cabin and hence the high demand for the loo. Once J is fitted the whole issue will probably go away as there will be at very most one or 2 queueing at any one time.

Are they going to retro fit UC in then?

If I pay for a premium service, I don't expect long queues for a pee. That's not premium, full stop.

Exactly. This is something VS haven't got right for Premium Economy. If you market it as a separate cabin, then it's not unreasonable for customers to expect separate toilets. On the A346 the curtain isn't policed and you get a stream of passengers from Economy. On the LHR 747s the toilet is actually with the Economy ones, with a sticker on it. Needless to say, that doesn't work.

It's not a huge deal, but neither is it a trivial complaint.

Sorry but it is a big deal when facilities especially loos are put out of bounds at the whim of a specific crew, because it's annoying for them, Which seems to be the case. And not because there's a specific operational/ safety issue.

If the latter was the case it would be consistent across ALL flights.
VS need to confirm the official line on this, and more so inform their crews on the policy.

Sorry but it is a big deal when facilities especially loos are put out of bounds at the whim of a specific crew, because it's annoying for them, Which seems to be the case. And not because there's a specific operational/ safety issue.

If the latter was the case it would be consistent across ALL flights.
VS need to confirm the official line on this, and more so inform their crews on the policy.

As Per Neil's post on 26 Aug 2011 20:30 it is the captains making the decision and on any flight whatever they say goes, and it's not for annoyance but for a perceived security risk.

Thread drift!!!

Back on track, and as I've said before, surely this is only an issue because of the number of PAX in this cabin and hence the high demand for the loo. Once J is fitted the whole issue will probably go away as there will be at very most one or 2 queueing at any one time.

Are they going to retro fit UC in then?

That's the plan, and the reason why there are no central overhead storage bins (the same as UC in the A346). Whether or not it is done though is another thing. The ones coming from China Airlines are almost dead certain for this as the front and back sections are Y with PE in the middle. Check out thislink for the plan (B-18391/2 at the bottom) and you'll see that PE is in its final location and lo and behold 2 decicated toilets!!!!!

As Per Neil's post on 26 Aug 2011 20:30 it is the captains making the decision and on any flight whatever they say goes, and it's not for annoyance but for a perceived security risk.

Is it always the pilot making that decision....does beg the question why this issue doesn't appear to affect many 737 flights, with a loo next to cockpit door and a small galley area out of sight of the spy-hole??

[Neil]

As Per Neil's post on 26 Aug 2011 20:30 it is the captains making the decision and on any flight whatever they say goes, and it's not for annoyance but for a perceived security risk.

Is it always the pilot making that decision....does beg the question why this issue doesn't appear to affect many 737 flights, with a loo next to cockpit door and a small galley area out of sight of the spy-hole??

That is the information I have been given - the toilets should be open, but some Captains aren't happy because they cannot see who is queuing due to the galley and they feel it may be a safety risk.

Remember the 330 Captains are used to the 340 where there is not a toilet issue, which is why this has maybe suddenly become an issue for them on the 330?

Sound's like VS management need to take a decision. It is either a security risk or it is not.

And if most captains don't have an issue then that should be the way to go.

What about installing a small CCTV in the area with a screen in the cockpit then the pilots can see what is happening?

...Hey, I'm out of the closet from lurking in the background - and taking my very first flight on VS metal tomorrow VS075 on G-VSXY in PE, MAN > MCO so I'll report back when I arrive...

I've read this thread with interest and having done many flights on bmi metal (G-WWBB & G-WWBM now relocated to other worlds that no one wants to fly to...ghhhrrrr...) mainly up front in C - Same A330 config, there was NEVER a problem with the front lav when they operated to and from the US... also my brother is a captain for EZY and he said that there's no security issue with the toilet location's airbus wouldn't glue it together if it breached some security regulation... but it could be a Virgin SOP - but extremely unlikely, more likely crew (not flight deck's whim)......

Also... TCX operate the A330 with underslung lav's and the front lav was reserved for PE passengers, when they had a "PE" service (which was rubbish compared with AirTours Premier Gold of old but that's another story...)

So recap, I'll let you know, and I'll do some fishing with the crew if they say it is closed...

I will look out for your report with interest techandy. I shall be doing that route myself in Feb, and have only ever been on 747s.

I will look out for your report with interest techandy. I shall be doing that route myself in Feb, and have only ever been on 747s.

Same here - in April.

But chose the later 747 flight to return (refits permitting).

[Neil]

I will look out for your report with interest techandy. I shall be doing that route myself in Feb, and have only ever been on 747s.

Same here - in April.

But chose the later 747 flight to return (refits permitting).

The first of the refitted a/c is only due back at some point in April, so you will be very lucky to get a refitted 747 during that month.

No, I wasn't expecting a refitted one, I'm just wondering whether it will be a current LGW/MAN747 or another aircraft.

Mind you, a refitted one would be nice!

Maybe.

What about installing a small CCTV in the area with a screen in the cockpit then the pilots can see what is happening?

There is so much common sense in that statement ^) that it will be impossible to implement. Just think of the exhorbitant cost of a wireless CCTV system :0 ):

What about installing a small CCTV in the area with a screen in the cockpit then the pilots can see what is happening?

There is so much common sense in that statement ^) that it will be impossible to implement. Just think of the exhorbitant cost of a wireless CCTV system :0 ):

As a very nervous flyer (clutching glass of brandy in one hand and rosary beads in the other) I personally think the Pilot should be keeping his eyes on the road ahead :0

Does anyone know if there are any rules/regulations giving minimum provision of bathrooms for numbers of passengers? (all subject to operational issues....)

Just curious - because I bet there are somewhere...