Originally Posted by Ned Gerblansky
Unless the crew is supplemented, at some stage in a long sector a pilot will leave to go to the toilet. The pilot remaining will then be single pilot, obviously. To those who say that 2 pilots should be on the flight deck for a level change, I question what happens when ATS say "Due crossing traffic climb NOW to F360"? Do you reply "Unable due captain having a leak", and then accept the 90 degree turn? What does the captain think when they feel the aircraft change heading in that scenario? Personally I would cease "splashing the boots" and get back into the cockpit and ask "What were you thinking?!!"
I agree with most of your post, ned, but your hypothetical is obviously silly - of course you'd climb. I'd suggest its more about voluntarily entering that position vs needing to do it.