lavatory phobia

[maxiesmom]

I'm flying Southwest Airlines in a couple of weeks, and I'm hoping someone can help me with this. I have a bit of a phobia about being stuck in an airplane lavatory. Can someone tell me, or has a pic they can share, of how the doors on a Southwest plane work? Are they the accordion kind that you push in (I think?) Or do they have a lock that you slide left or right?

My niece got stuck one trip, and ever sense then I worry the same thing will happen to me. I know it is crazy, but if someone could post a picture, or tell me what kind of door the lavatory has, it would ease my mind. Thanks!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The door is a push in

 

[joelkfla]

Well, at least you'll have a place to sit.

 

[DaretoDis]

The doors pull out. Single door on both lavs.

 

[awalker1015]

As PPs have said. And I share your fear each time I fly, though take off and landing don't bother me in the least.

 

[rwdavis2]

This has to be a troll.

 

[siskaren]

This has to be a troll.

You think someone who's been on the boards for 12 years and has over 28,000 posts is a troll?

 

[rcs]

The front lav doors on Southwest's 737-700s and 737-800s are single doors that open out. The rear lav doors on Southwest's 737-800s are bi-fold doors that push in. I *think* the rear lav on the 737-700s is a single door that opens out, but I don't recall for certain.

 

[rwdavis2]

You think someone who's been on the boards for 12 years and has over 28,000 posts is a troll?

Guess not

 

[Donna M]

If by chance you do get a door you can't figure out, relax and knock. Someone will instruct you how to get back out. If you are traveling with someone, have that person head to the back with you.

 

[Starwind]

Regardless of the style, the lavatory doors have a lock mechanism from the inside for privacy reasons, which can be unlocked from the outside or the door otherwise opened by the crew for safety and security reasons.

Also, every airplane washroom I have been in has had a "call the flight attendant" button, the same as is above the passenger seats, should you require assistance.

SW

 

[GrnMtnMan]

My niece got stuck one trip, and ever sense then I worry the same thing will happen to me.

How long has she been in there? Seems like someone being permanently stuck in an airplane lav would make the news….

 

[MissManda]

How long is your flight? Maybe it won't even be a concern!!! We just flew last week with our 20 month old. Lol....my biggest fear was that I was going to have a change a dirty diaper in one. Thankfully we had a short, hour and a half flight and all we good.

 

[goofy4tink]

How long is your flight? Maybe it won't even be a concern!!! We just flew last week with our 20 month old. Lol....my biggest fear was that I was going to have a change a dirty diaper in one. Thankfully we had a short, hour and a half flight and all we good.

That's my thought as well. I seldom need the lav for flughts under 6 hrs. I do use the ladies room at the airport just prior to boarding. For flights that are 4 or less hours, I just get up.

 

[DVC California]

Here's a YouTube video that shows a standard bifold door:

And one that shows the interior of a SWA Lav (single door that swings out):

 

[Minnesota!]

FWIW - I have been "stuck" in one (for under a minute), and I felt like an idiot, ha, but someone outside the door guided me to being unstuck. It was just a wonky door...

 

[leebee]

I never use the airplane lavatories because, even with medication, I get very motion sick when I try to walk or look backwards on a plane. I monitor my fluid intake that day, use the bathroom in the airport immediately prior to boarding, and use the airport bathroom during any layover. No problems, and I've flown probably 100 times.