Smoking in the loo
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Ruritania
Smoking in the loo
Whatever you might have thought, don't do it as they really don't like it.
Flying back from Berlin to EMA last night and the only information the pilot deigned to convey during the whole flight was the fact that someone had been found to have been smoking in the front toilet, one shouldn't do this etc followed by a lacklustre recitation of the penalties involved - something like £50,000 fine and/or 15 years in prison.
Then, after landing at 11.15pm, as we all settled down to wait a full 25 mins for The EMA Bus to get round to picking us up, Knacker of the Yard boarded the flight along with one of his henchwomen and removed said offender - a young chap who didn't look like a hardened 80-a-day man to me but who may have been out to prove a point.
Quite how they can get enough evidence against him to make a charge stick though ... "Well I went in after him and it stank of fags ..."
Flying back from Berlin to EMA last night and the only information the pilot deigned to convey during the whole flight was the fact that someone had been found to have been smoking in the front toilet, one shouldn't do this etc followed by a lacklustre recitation of the penalties involved - something like £50,000 fine and/or 15 years in prison.
Then, after landing at 11.15pm, as we all settled down to wait a full 25 mins for The EMA Bus to get round to picking us up, Knacker of the Yard boarded the flight along with one of his henchwomen and removed said offender - a young chap who didn't look like a hardened 80-a-day man to me but who may have been out to prove a point.
Quite how they can get enough evidence against him to make a charge stick though ... "Well I went in after him and it stank of fags ..."
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: France
Quite how they can get enough evidence against him to make a charge stick though ... "Well I went in after him and it stank of fags ..."
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,488
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From: Hong Kong
I do so hope the idiot (if he is guilty) is prosecuted to the full extent and at least fined a considerable sum of money. A bit of prison time might help his attitude.
And I'm a smoker - but it isn't hard to do without for the duration of a flight and enjoy your ciggy when you get to the other end.
And I've never thought 'they' think anything else but 'not like it' - it's a safety issue. I don't fancy dying just so some pillock can satisfy his lack of having will power.
And I'm a smoker - but it isn't hard to do without for the duration of a flight and enjoy your ciggy when you get to the other end.
And I've never thought 'they' think anything else but 'not like it' - it's a safety issue. I don't fancy dying just so some pillock can satisfy his lack of having will power.
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Sussex,UK
Alanwsg,
The smoke detectors will set off various alarms dependent on the aircraft type but on all types I've flown on (737,757,767,777,A319,A320,A321) there are invariably audible alarms to those in the area, inc pax, plus various signals on crew control panels, flashing lights outside toilet and on call panels and an alarm in the flight deck.
Jsl
P.S. For people that are thinking of trying this, we know all the tricks and I think you'll find the courts take a very dim view when you are caught. As said before, people have died from this sort of idiotic behaviour and there is little we dread more than an onboard fire.
The smoke detectors will set off various alarms dependent on the aircraft type but on all types I've flown on (737,757,767,777,A319,A320,A321) there are invariably audible alarms to those in the area, inc pax, plus various signals on crew control panels, flashing lights outside toilet and on call panels and an alarm in the flight deck.
Jsl
P.S. For people that are thinking of trying this, we know all the tricks and I think you'll find the courts take a very dim view when you are caught. As said before, people have died from this sort of idiotic behaviour and there is little we dread more than an onboard fire.
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: LGW
Don't forget the flashing lights in the cabin and the stern voice over the pa system announcing the smoker...
The smoke detectors have a direct link with the police on the ground as well, to make sure they get the message.
The smoke detectors have a direct link with the police on the ground as well, to make sure they get the message.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Somewhere on a dodgy name badge
Which part of " This is a non smoking flight" did he not understand?
Don't have sympathy for him: there is so much paper in the toilets they are absolutely not for lighting cigarettes in!
Don't have sympathy for him: there is so much paper in the toilets they are absolutely not for lighting cigarettes in!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: FarFarAway
They don't understand because the majority do not speak or understand English. And i'm pretty sure the offender was not German or English. We get this a lot, we have them arrested and they still don't get it...
From now on i shall instruct my JU's to mime the "NO
SMOKING" as part of the safety demo, maybe they'll understand then.
Do you think it's the NO SMOKING signs in the toilets that makes them smoke?!?
From now on i shall instruct my JU's to mime the "NO
SMOKING" as part of the safety demo, maybe they'll understand then.Do you think it's the NO SMOKING signs in the toilets that makes them smoke?!?
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Cheshire
They don't understand because the majority do not speak or understand English. And i'm pretty sure the offender was not German or English. We get this a lot, we have them arrested and they still don't get it...
(And before everyone starts to tell me that they all speak English - not when they're in trouble they don't (personal experience!).
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Devon
Idiotic thing to do in my view.
I did know someone who got caught in the act on a long haul. He was a desperate smoker and had equipped himself with a large plastic yogurt container and blu-tac which he had placed over the sensor in the ceiling.
It didn’t work…
A steward was waiting for him when he came out and he played the innocent whist said steward read the riot act. Apparently, apart from the well deserved bollocking he was let off with a warning.
Once back in his seat he remembered the yogurt pot which could prove enough pre-mediation on his part to change the steward’s mind. So he sweated it out until he could creep back in and retrieve it.
This was in the early days of the ban so I guess he got off lightly and nothing more was heard…
I did know someone who got caught in the act on a long haul. He was a desperate smoker and had equipped himself with a large plastic yogurt container and blu-tac which he had placed over the sensor in the ceiling.
It didn’t work…
A steward was waiting for him when he came out and he played the innocent whist said steward read the riot act. Apparently, apart from the well deserved bollocking he was let off with a warning.
Once back in his seat he remembered the yogurt pot which could prove enough pre-mediation on his part to change the steward’s mind. So he sweated it out until he could creep back in and retrieve it.
This was in the early days of the ban so I guess he got off lightly and nothing more was heard…
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: FarFarAway
Yes barry, that's correct. Having said that, it happens on all routes to Poland too... Sometimes i'm lucky, i have a polish crew member that can translate for me. But sometimes i'm not that lucky and i am desperate to find out where he put the ciggie but. What am i suppose to do, learn polish?!?
We hope the airline gets the idea and starts sticking polish signs everybloodywhere
We hope the airline gets the idea and starts sticking polish signs everybloodywhere
Last edited by Abusing_the_sky; 23rd June 2008 at 15:55. Reason: ps
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From: LGW
What part of a round red sign with a cigarette inside the circle with a big line across it do these people not understand?
They're trying it on (most likely because they know they'll get excellent treatment in UK prisons including free meals).
A few years ago, I caught a guy smoking in the toilet on a Spanish flight. I read him the riot act (as such). His excuse? He had a stomach problem so he had to have a cig after eating to feel better and it helped his digestion and condition. Well, I nearly burst out laughing, it was that ridiculous.
There are 3 reasons why you can't smoke on my plane:
1 It's against the law
2 If I can't have one, neither can you
3 How dare you put MY life in danger? (Chemical toilet fluids, paper towels etc etc)
Gg
They're trying it on (most likely because they know they'll get excellent treatment in UK prisons including free meals).
A few years ago, I caught a guy smoking in the toilet on a Spanish flight. I read him the riot act (as such). His excuse? He had a stomach problem so he had to have a cig after eating to feel better and it helped his digestion and condition. Well, I nearly burst out laughing, it was that ridiculous.
There are 3 reasons why you can't smoke on my plane:
1 It's against the law
2 If I can't have one, neither can you
3 How dare you put MY life in danger? (Chemical toilet fluids, paper towels etc etc)
Gg
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: holding short of....
Before it was allowed... but never in the toilet!
Those paxs will never understand that smoking in the toilet is totally dangerous (fire hazard... YES... FIRE HAZARD! ... F-I-R-E).
Most of the materials in the pax cabin (where you are seated when flying) are made in such a way to be fire retardant or fire-proof (that is why smoking was allowed 15 years ago) but toilets can not be designed in such a way (because of the toilet-paper, paper napkings, plastic, etc...).
Therefore it has to have a smoke detector for your safety (and the safety of the rest of the paxs flying in that plane) S-A-F-E-T-Y, ok?.
Smoking is not allowed in toilets due to safety reasons and smoking was banned in the main cabin because of hygienic reasons.
Why would you find an ashtray on the toilet door (before you enter the toilet)? because some planes were designed when smoking was allowed inside the cabin and an ashtray was necessary for those willing to use the toilets, in order to put the cigarrete off before entering the loo. Although these ashtrays have a nice and clear DO NOT SMOKE's sign, some paxs are a bit tempted to smoke just because an ashtray is observed, well... do not do it!.
remember is a SAFETY issue (not just a hygienic one)
Most of the materials in the pax cabin (where you are seated when flying) are made in such a way to be fire retardant or fire-proof (that is why smoking was allowed 15 years ago) but toilets can not be designed in such a way (because of the toilet-paper, paper napkings, plastic, etc...).
Therefore it has to have a smoke detector for your safety (and the safety of the rest of the paxs flying in that plane) S-A-F-E-T-Y, ok?.
Smoking is not allowed in toilets due to safety reasons and smoking was banned in the main cabin because of hygienic reasons.
Why would you find an ashtray on the toilet door (before you enter the toilet)? because some planes were designed when smoking was allowed inside the cabin and an ashtray was necessary for those willing to use the toilets, in order to put the cigarrete off before entering the loo. Although these ashtrays have a nice and clear DO NOT SMOKE's sign, some paxs are a bit tempted to smoke just because an ashtray is observed, well... do not do it!.
remember is a SAFETY issue (not just a hygienic one)
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Northern Ireland
Why?
Why cant smokers see the danger . Just take a cigarette before you get on the plane, sit down buckle up. Then have one after the flight.
No excuse in my opinion, if they dont like it then dont fly! Just my opinion tho. As a non smoker I dont know what the cravings are like but please think of other people's safety in front of yourself
AMC316
. Just take a cigarette before you get on the plane, sit down buckle up. Then have one after the flight. No excuse in my opinion, if they dont like it then dont fly! Just my opinion tho. As a non smoker I dont know what the cravings are like but please think of other people's safety in front of yourself
AMC316
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,488
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From: Hong Kong
There isn't a 'craving' at all - that's BS. What there is is a habit to suck something especially when people are nervous or they have nothing to do. And - I smoke - quite a lot sometimes
People who smoke - who may be tempted to endanger the aircraft and passengers because they have no will power should be given a child's dummy / pacifier to suck - it could be dipped in nicotine or cigarette ash to keep them happy for the duration of the flight - and the sitting there sucking on the dummy thing would mean cabin crew would know clearly who could be considered a fire risk....
People who smoke - who may be tempted to endanger the aircraft and passengers because they have no will power should be given a child's dummy / pacifier to suck - it could be dipped in nicotine or cigarette ash to keep them happy for the duration of the flight - and the sitting there sucking on the dummy thing would mean cabin crew would know clearly who could be considered a fire risk....
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 857
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From: North Cheshire
What part of a round red sign with a cigarette inside the circle with a big line across it do these people not understand?
There's no excuse in this day and age, (even Aeroflot banned on-board smoking 15 years ago), and I'm not disagreeing with you, just putting another point of view.
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Devon
Temptation - a terrible thing.
I was tempted once a long time ago but realised the stupidity of a) upsetting the CC who had a difficult enough job to do and b) risking being arrested at the other end ( which would really impress my boss ) and c) the possibility of a fine.
As regards safety it is obviously easy to start a fire in a toilet with so much paper around and I would not trust a drunk to put the butt out by soaking it and wrapping it up in a wet paper towel,
So I’m glad to see CC get tough on anyone who tries it on.
I was tempted once a long time ago but realised the stupidity of a) upsetting the CC who had a difficult enough job to do and b) risking being arrested at the other end ( which would really impress my boss ) and c) the possibility of a fine.
As regards safety it is obviously easy to start a fire in a toilet with so much paper around and I would not trust a drunk to put the butt out by soaking it and wrapping it up in a wet paper towel,
So I’m glad to see CC get tough on anyone who tries it on.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: In the countyside
From a pilots perspective you can deal with more or less any emergency thrown at you but one you have very little control over is a fire on board. With many years experience behind me now, it still gets the blood flowing in the simulator when we practise for such an event. It is truly frightening when the smoke is simulated by dry ice, you are on oxygen and you struggle to see your instuments due to the poor visibility. It is an event I really hope I never have to deal with in reality.
There have been many commercial accidents over the years associated with fires. This discussion is about smoking. It dosen't matter how it starts. The reality is that if you don't put it out quickly you are in real trouble. Flying across the Atlantic can put you within two hours of land. For those flying to holiday destinations in the Canary Islands you are sometimes an hour from land depending on the routing of the flight when travelling from the UK or Ireland. If you don't put a fire out it can be a race for survival. Have a listen to the following actual recording between Swiss Air Flight 111 and Air Traffic control when a fire broke out on board in 1998. It took 12 minutes from the time they discovered smoke on board to their eventual crash killing 229 people. The aircraft was overweight for landing and had to attempt to dump fuel before landing as per their procedures. However they failed to get the opportunity to do so.
It's something people should consider when they feel the urge to light up.
SWISSAIR CRASH Recording Part 1
SWISSAIR CRASH Recording Part 2
There have been many commercial accidents over the years associated with fires. This discussion is about smoking. It dosen't matter how it starts. The reality is that if you don't put it out quickly you are in real trouble. Flying across the Atlantic can put you within two hours of land. For those flying to holiday destinations in the Canary Islands you are sometimes an hour from land depending on the routing of the flight when travelling from the UK or Ireland. If you don't put a fire out it can be a race for survival. Have a listen to the following actual recording between Swiss Air Flight 111 and Air Traffic control when a fire broke out on board in 1998. It took 12 minutes from the time they discovered smoke on board to their eventual crash killing 229 people. The aircraft was overweight for landing and had to attempt to dump fuel before landing as per their procedures. However they failed to get the opportunity to do so.
It's something people should consider when they feel the urge to light up.
SWISSAIR CRASH Recording Part 1
SWISSAIR CRASH Recording Part 2
Last edited by Lord Lardy; 24th June 2008 at 15:48.