Plane potty privileges spark a class struggle By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY Since curtains between compartments parted in the name of security, class warfare has erupted on airplanes. At least when it comes to lavatory etiquette. With what many say is increased regularity, coach passengers emboldened by the lack of barriers are slipping into first or business class to use the facilities. And some elite fliers are in a lather. "I felt cheated and ripped off," says Ken Kushnir of Santa Rosa, Calif. "I was paying a premium for the supposed peace and quiet of the (forward) cabin, and here were (coach) users tromping up and down, sometimes with screaming children in tow." Usually, says Richard Klein of Charlotte, flight attendants "just ignore it." Because the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now "mandates that you can't keep the curtains closed, that invites more passengers" to walk through to use the loo, explains US Airways spokesman David Castelveter. "It's gotten worse" since the change took effect following Sept. 11 to allow better scrutiny of passenger cabins, adds frequent flier K.C. Kavanagh of Manhattan. And there's no relief in sight: A month ago, the TSA ordered that curtains be physically removed on all U.S. carriers by June 28. Meanwhile, who can use which restroom is left up to the airlines, says a TSA spokeswoman. And policies and enforcement vary. An America West spokeswoman, for instance, says coach passengers can use first-class lavs. Most other carriers have a policy similar to that of Northwest Airlines, where upper-class lavatories are "intended for the use of customers seated in those areas," says spokeswoman Mary Stanik. "However, a flight attendant should not prohibit a main-cabin customer from using a lavatory in first or business class if necessary." "There are circumstances where the flight attendants will allow the first-class lavatories to be used" by coach passengers, echoes US Airways' Castelveter. While some pre-flight announcements tell passengers to use only washrooms in their sections, the warning often is ignored. Rodney Owens of Dallas understands that nature's call might bring some forward and that's OK, he says. But, "I will admit to being outraged when a coach passenger takes several minutes, resulting in a backlog of first-class passengers getting queued up." Flight attendants do turn away interlopers. But a 20% cutback in attendants by cash-strapped U.S. airlines since Sept. 11 makes enforcement harder. Remember the Seinfeld episode in which Elaine was repeatedly turned back when she tried to sneak into first class? Today, she might make it there. Kavanagh thinks the border crossings just mean that travelers' manners are in the toilet. "Part of the protocol of flying has gone as flights have become more of a cattle call," she says. "It just leads to general anarchy." So how do fellow fliers feel about the use of upper-class lavs? There was disagreement among 96 members of USA TODAY's Vacationers Panel who responded to a query on the subject. "It's a pain to go back if you're in Row 3 and the beverage carts are blocking the aisle," says Alex Corzo of Los Angeles. Others in the front rows of economy agree it makes sense to walk a few steps forward, especially if upper-class toilets are at the back of that section. "I do believe that coach passengers should be able to use the forward lavatory," echoes Chuck Lindell of Colorado Springs, Colo. "That will achieve much more balance in usage." Hold on, say others. "If I'm paying (or using miles) to sit in first class, then I don't want to see people from the back of the plane waiting in line to use the first-class bathroom," declares Bonnie Sporn of Chicago. "It sounds snobby, but that's why you pay for first class, to have short lines and less chaos." "If you want to use the first-class facilities, buy a first-class ticket," says Barbara Grogg of Tulsa. "You don't jump up and go to first class at mealtime, do you?" Some are amazed by the boldness of the border-hoppers. "I've been tempted, but I'm of the generation that follows the rules," says 67-year-old Nancy Frankhouser of Lancaster, Pa. "I'm sure the moment I would use (a first-class john), bells would ring, lights would flash. And I would be embarrassed." *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@xxxxxxxxx Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Mas Site: www.tntisland.com/tntrecords/mas2003/ Site of the Week: http://www.caribbeanfloral.com TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************