A missing ashtray is "no fly equipment".

[DawnCt1]

This really surprised me. We went to a July 4th party about two weeks ago, (of course,0 and there happened to be a pilot there who flies for one of the major carriers, domestically and internationally. Now, despite the fact that NO ONE has been able to smoke on a domestic flight for at least ten years; could it be longer? and there never had been any smoking allowed in the bathrooms, the bathrooms come equipped with an ashtray. People actually take these ashtrays as "souveneers" (sp) If, during the cabin check prior to take off, these ashtrays are found missing, that constitutes "equipment required for flight" and the plane cannot take off. The cost of replacement of these ashtrays is in the $200 to $250 range. So next time your flight is grounded "due to an equipment problem", consider that it may be the ashtray!!!

 

[TerryKitten]

Lol... sheesh. That would be a pain to find out we couldn't fly because of an ashtray. I've flown when a arm rest was broken, it was called in and they were told it would be repaired that evening. So we could fly with a broken arm rest, but not an astray?

 

[C.Ann]

Oh for cying out loud..

On the other hand, I can see people taking them - one day any ash tray will be a "collector's" item..

 

[GeorgeG]

I guess it's a bit beyond rocket science for the airlines to simply remove all the ashtrays from both the planes and checklists. Maybe they anticipate a return to smoking in the near future...

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Lol... sheesh. That would be a pain to find out we couldn't fly because of an ashtray. I've flown when a arm rest was broken, it was called in and they were told it would be repaired that evening. So we could fly with a broken arm rest, but not an astray?

LOL, I was on a flight once with no functioning bathroom. (Small plane, 45 minute flight, so they opted to go for it, ok...) Presumedly the ash tray was there, but maybe that was the real reason!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I am a flight attendant...

The ashtrays in question aren't the same ashtrays you are thinking of... They are attatched to the walls of the lavatories.

While people aren't allowed to smoke, some can't seem to follow directions and light up anyways. These ashtrays are used as a safe, metal depository for lit cigarettes. Therefore, for safety reasons, they are a "no go" item.

There are quite a few seemingly stupid "no go" items that actually serve a purpose.

 

[bballmom56]

It's probably necessary to balance the weight properly on the plane.

 

[MiniGirl]

I am a flight attendant...

The ashtrays in question aren't the same ashtrays you are thinking of... They are attatched to the walls of the lavatories.

While people aren't allowed to smoke, some can't seem to follow directions and light up anyways. These ashtrays are used as a safe, metal depository for lit cigarettes. Therefore, for safety reasons, they are a "no go" item.

There are quite a few seemingly stupid "no go" items that actually serve a purpose.

Yep..... you'd be amazed at how many people will light up on an airplane. You'd also be amazed at how many people throw those lit cigs on the carpet as a way to put them out or even better will throw them into the trash in the galley while they are still lit.

 

[DawnCt1]

I am a flight attendant...

The ashtrays in question aren't the same ashtrays you are thinking of... They are attatched to the walls of the lavatories.

While people aren't allowed to smoke, some can't seem to follow directions and light up anyways. These ashtrays are used as a safe, metal depository for lit cigarettes. Therefore, for safety reasons, they are a "no go" item.

There are quite a few seemingly stupid "no go" items that actually serve a purpose.

That does make sense. I didn't question the "wisdom" of the "no go" item with the pilot. My thinking went right to, "gee, I wished I made those ashtrays".

 

[DawnCt1]

Yep..... you'd be amazed at how many people will light up on an airplane. You'd also be amazed at how many people throw those lit cigs on the carpet as a way to put them out or even better will throw them into the trash in the galley while they are still lit.

There is no accounting for stupidity, apparently. Its not like the plane can just pull over to the side of the road in case of fire.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I am a flight attendant...

The ashtrays in question aren't the same ashtrays you are thinking of... They are attatched to the walls of the lavatories.

While people aren't allowed to smoke, some can't seem to follow directions and light up anyways. These ashtrays are used as a safe, metal depository for lit cigarettes. Therefore, for safety reasons, they are a "no go" item.

There are quite a few seemingly stupid "no go" items that actually serve a purpose.

That's what I was going to post even though I'm not a flight attendant. You can tell people not to do something, but there will always be those few who do it anyway. To put everyone's life at risk because of the few Darwin rejects with the money to buy a ticket is unwise.

 

[Mimi1965]

I am a flight attendant...

The ashtrays in question aren't the same ashtrays you are thinking of... They are attatched to the walls of the lavatories.
While people aren't allowed to smoke, some can't seem to follow directions and light up anyways. These ashtrays are used as a safe, metal depository for lit cigarettes. Therefore, for safety reasons, they are a "no go" item.

There are quite a few seemingly stupid "no go" items that actually serve a purpose.

So do people pull them off the wall for a souveniere? Or was the Pilot at the OP's party just exaggerating?

 

[AKL_Megs]

So do people pull them off the wall for a souveniere? Or was the Pilot at the OP's party just exaggerating?

They are pretty well glued/cemented on there... the thing is, the covers break off (I think people/kids fool with them, and eventually they break), and THAT also makes it a "no go" item. They need to close to properly contain the cig. If only people could follow directions, this would be a non-issue!