The process of going through security can be quite daunting when it comes to travel.
But once you’ve completed the dash through the barriers and finally found your gate, then the next part is taking a seat and relaxing onboard. For many people, nature might call and that means you need to get up and use the loo.
Often the pilot would switch on the seatbelt sign during moments of the flight, including take-off and landing. Now have you ever wondered what happens if you need to go but the dreaded light is still flashing right in front of you?
American Airlines pilot Steve, who boasts 239,000 TikTok followers, explained what you can do in this instance. He began: “What if the fasten seatbelt sign is on, can you get up and go to the bathroom?
“Well Mrs Captain Steve is an absolute rule keeper, if that sign is on, she will not get up, no matter how bad she has to go the bathroom. And I’m here to tell you, yeah I want you to be a rule keeper.”
The pilot then went onto explain what you can do if you’re “bursting”. He added: “But if we’re up at altitude, cruising along and it’s not too bumpy then you really need to go, yes you can get up and use that bathroom.
“Now if the flight attendants tell you to take a seat, you’ve got to follow what they say. You’ve got to take a seat because you might be preparing for landing, after take-off, or might be at some critical phase of the flight, so if they tell you to sit down, sit down.”
But it is also likely the pilot might have also forgotten to switch it off. He added: “It’s okay to get up, the flight attendants are probably going to say this to you ‘do you know the seatbelt sign is on,’ they’re obligated to remind you about that.
“Once they get that out of the way, you’re free to go up and do your business. Come back to your seat, do me a favour, always put that seatbelt on when you’re in your seat whether the seatbelt sign is on or off. Now you know.”
Since the post was shared, it racked up 15,700 likes and over 350 comments. One said: “I always leave my seatbelt on.” While another added: “Great advice captain Steve.” Then a third commented: “I love your content.”