May I step into the minefield of handicapped restroom stalls?

[delilah]

To OP--you are doing nothing wrong using the handicap stall in this case. I am obese w.arthritis and it's easier to use the handicap stall because of the size and the bar that help me up--but if I'm desparate I can use the regular stalls, it's just not as easy.

But, my mother and I had an incident happen at the airport that still burns me. My mother is 82 and has had two knee replacements and walks with a cane (and sometimes a walker). We had just arrived and gotten off the airplane and (as it happens) my mother needed to use the restroom. I didn't, so I waited outside. A while later my mother exits and we start walking. She tells me she hopes we can get home soon because she really needs to go. I said "I thought you already did"? and she then tells me what happened in restroom.

As she walked into the restroom (using her cane) a flight attendent pushes past her and proceeds to take the handicap stall. My mother decided to just wait for her to get out, thinking it wouldn't be too long (by the way, there were other stalls open). She then sees her (from looking under the stall door) changing her clothes! My mother waits for 10 minutes and the chick must be putting on make-up also! So, my mother just walks out.

When I heard that I wanted to go back and confront the FA, but my mother didn't want to make a scene. I did contact NWA (whose FA it was) but heard nother from them.

Now, I would call that true disregard for the reason for these stalls--not to mention totally rude and crass and I hope that FA got canned in the recent buy-out w.Delta.

I am not sure what airport you were at, but, in my experience, most stalls in most airports are big enough for me to bring my rolling carry on with me. I would not push in front of a handicapped person if they were in line, but, if I can walk faster and get somewhere first, I do.

Now, if the stalls at this airport were so small that your mom couldn't fit in a regular stall with a walker or cane, it was probably too small for somebody to change their clothing in. Now, I know in a perfect world, everybody would arrive on time, dressed and made up for work. But, I know that in my world, I have sometimes had to change clothes at work. Usually this is because one of my patients has bled, pooped, puked or peed on me. I have even had to have my husband bring a new lab coat and change of clothing from home when I was on call at the hospital, and been soiled. I try to have empathy for people. I don't know why the flight attendant was getting dressed in the stall instead of a private dressing room reserved for airline employees (which would be nice, but, probably doesn't exist). Maybe, she was running late. Maybe, she had just arrived, and had plans to meet somebody at a certain time. One of my patients is a flight attendant for SWA. She has an apartment near midway that she shares with other flight attendants, and she actually lives in the city where I practice medicine (south of Indianapolis). Maybe, this flight attendant was like my patient, too far from the airport for a quick change, and not having enough time to get to her residence before needing to do her next activity. If she was changing her uniform, possible one of the passengers had puked, peed or pooped on her, and she was as yucked out by the experience as I would be.

When I arrive at an airport, I don't use the restrooms that are closest to the gate that I arrive at. I go down to a different set, usually they are less crowded. Depends on what airport you use, but, whether it is Orlando, O'Hare, Midway, DFW, SNA or any other airport I have used, I usually pass at least 3 restrooms between getting off the plane and getting to my car. At the Indianapolis airport, there are at least two sets of restrooms between the security checkpoint and the last gate, and another one by baggage claim. The one by baggage claim is almost never crowded, FYI.

 

[shellybaxter]

I am not sure what airport you were at, but, in my experience, most stalls in most airports are big enough for me to bring my rolling carry on with me. I would not push in front of a handicapped person if they were in line, but, if I can walk faster and get somewhere first, I do.

Now, if the stalls at this airport were so small that your mom couldn't fit in a regular stall with a walker or cane, it was probably too small for somebody to change their clothing in.

If you were in a restroom and saw a person with a cane you would "walk faster" than them and take the handicap stall? If that is what you said (maybe I misunderstood) think that is extremely rude.

A person with two knee replacements likely doesn't (just) need the extra space in a handicap stall - they need the grab bars to be able to get on and off the toilet.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

What I love is how people presume that I and my friends are all in our 20's and don't have any problems with bladder control.

Guess what? We're in our 40's and a couple of us are talking about SURGERY to correct this problem. This number includes women who run 10K's - we're all physically fit and healthy and eat right and do everything properly.

But honey, when I gotta go, I gotta right then or I'm gonna be in that stall a lot longer than a few minutes, because I'm sitting there, on the phone with someone to come bring me dry clothes and I'm not moving until I get them!

Just FYI - don't presume that because someone can RUN that she doesn't have bladder related issues. It's a natural thing related to aging, babies and years of kidney infections.

(This is why I will always let grandmas ahead of me in the line and why I rarely pass up a bathroom. . .and why I will almost ALWAYS use the airplane toilet at least once.)

 

[chell]

I gotta say... if I **ever** have to witness some moron being SO idiotic as to make assumptions and call someone out based on those assumptions... I don't know what I'd do but it probably would be pretty offensive

Not too long ago I get called names by a 12 year old with his granny at WalMart because I pulled into the Handicap spot I had patiently waited on. She was upset because she just pulled up and wanted it. Guess I looked too young to need it. I didn't have my placard hanging up yet so she didn't think I should take "her" spot.

Lately my knees have been bothering me but I try to stay out of the handicap stalls because the toilets are too darn high. I have to almost jump to get on the dang things. Then who is going to come pick me up off the floor when I fall off? I can see if now on the news. Woman breaks neck falling off of high toilet in local store. There I am splattered on the floor with my butt huge shining for the world to see - but all you see is this huge blurry spot on your tv. Such a horrible way to die. When my knees act up I could use the assistance of the rails but I honestly have trouble with the height of the toilet. With them so high I can't empty my bladder correctly.

My mother drives me nuts about the handicap stalls though. One day we went out to eat and she was on her way to the restroom when a mother and daughter headed that way. She makes a real loud comment that she hopes they aren't going to take the handicap stall because she needs it and it's for handicap people only. Oh how I wanted to sink into my chair and hide from the world.

Like some of you have said, some stalls are so small you can barely fit the toilet in them. How are you supposed to fit yourself and a child in there? They need more family restrooms in the world!

OP you are fine and shouldn't worry.

 

[chell]

What I love is how people presume that I and my friends are all in our 20's and don't have any problems with bladder control.

Guess what? We're in our 40's and a couple of us are talking about SURGERY to correct this problem. This number includes women who run 10K's - we're all physically fit and healthy and eat right and do everything properly.

But honey, when I gotta go, I gotta right then or I'm gonna be in that stall a lot longer than a few minutes, because I'm sitting there, on the phone with someone to come bring me dry clothes and I'm not moving until I get them!

Just FYI - don't presume that because someone can RUN that she doesn't have bladder related issues. It's a natural thing related to aging, babies and years of kidney infections.

(This is why I will always let grandmas ahead of me in the line and why I rarely pass up a bathroom. . .and why I will almost ALWAYS use the airplane toilet at least once.)

I've got the world's smallest bladder so I know what you mean!

 

[DarthKTrava]

Our Publix has one, but that is the only one I know of.

Suzanne

So does one Food Lion grocery store that I know of.

 

[captjackswench91]

What I love is how people presume that I and my friends are all in our 20's and don't have any problems with bladder control.

Guess what? We're in our 40's and a couple of us are talking about SURGERY to correct this problem. This number includes women who run 10K's - we're all physically fit and healthy and eat right and do everything properly.

But honey, when I gotta go, I gotta right then or I'm gonna be in that stall a lot longer than a few minutes, because I'm sitting there, on the phone with someone to come bring me dry clothes and I'm not moving until I get them!

Just FYI - don't presume that because someone can RUN that she doesn't have bladder related issues. It's a natural thing related to aging, babies and years of kidney infections.

(This is why I will always let grandmas ahead of me in the line and why I rarely pass up a bathroom. . .and why I will almost ALWAYS use the airplane toilet at least once.)

Thank you! I am 18 years old and I have a bladder disease. If you look at me, you would assume I am quite healthy but no. Honestly, I can go to the bathroom in time, but I do tend to leak. In regards to the handicapped question, I will go in a handicapped stall if it is the only one available. I can't hold it and wait in a line, I begin to get bad pains. It is quite the hassle and it is even harder when you have to explain to your new boss why you use the restroom so much.. Just because someone is young and running around doesn't mean their bladders function properly.

 

[chell]

Thank you! I am 18 years old and I have a bladder disease. If you look at me, you would assume I am quite healthy but no. Honestly, I can go to the bathroom in time, but I do tend to leak. In regards to the handicapped question, I will go in a handicapped stall if it is the only one available. I can't hold it and wait in a line, I begin to get bad pains. It is quite the hassle and it is even harder when you have to explain to your new boss why you use the restroom so much.. Just because someone is young and running around doesn't mean their bladders function properly.

When I was just a few years older than you I ended up leaving a job over this issue. My boss didn't believe me and didn't care what the note from my doctor said. At that point I didn't know enough about what kind of protection I had as a worker. But I didn't really like the job either.