I am fortunate enough (because being on the board of an airline) to just
about always fly first class, and believe me on many airlines that is a real
benefit. On others, I pass through I don't really see the difference between
first and coach. From my experience, the airline for the most part sets the
rules as to how they will limit access to the first class bathrooms. Some close
the curtain between the two levels. Some close the curtain and announce the
first class bathrooms are not to be used by coach flyers. Some airlines do
nothing. HOWEVER, I have never seen any airline enforce this rule-- which suggests to
me they may not be able to keep a coach passenger out of a first class
bathroom legally.
I suspect in your case where the bathroom was really foul--that someone
went into first class because they were ill and coach was full. Under new
security regulations you can no longer wait in line for a bathroom So if someone
was ill, and the bathrooms were filled in coach, I suspect they might send them
up front to avoid an accident in coach.
It is common, too, for folks to put their luggage in first class if they
pass through it to coach seats. I have seen airline personnel take out coach
passenger luggage from first class compartments and bring it to coach. I have
also seen a pilot come out near the last boarding minutes and move overhead
luggage out of the first class compartments. He asked if it was anyone in first
classes luggage--no one said a word--so he said-_"Oh, well out it goes." I am
pretty sure it was from someone walking through to coach for that flight!! But
when they got to their destination--I doubt whether their luggage arrived.
When you are in first class you are often times with airline employees and they
maybe even more unhappy about rule breaking than those that paid first class
fees.
China
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