Saturday, February 28, 2009

When Ya Gotta Go........

Remember, back in the 70's, many restaurants redefined the term "pay as you go" when they put coin-operated locks on their bathroom stalls? I do.


Remember how well that worked out? I do. People were climbing over and crawling under the doors. Friends were holding doors open for friends. Suddenly men weren't making fun of women any more for going to the ladies' rooms in pairs or groups.

Finally, people were simply jamming the locks with toilet paper and, sometimes faulty locks caused people to be trapped inside the stalls.

In time, the whole idea was abandoned.

Now, the owner of the Irish Airline, Ryanair, wants to revive that practice by making travelers pay to use those teensy-weensy bathrooms, some of which require the patrons to make a decision whether to sidle into the space or back in.

My prediction is that patrons will be lining up row by row and holding the door open for each other. After all, what are the airline employees going to do about it? Throw them off the plane or simply shoot them?

I think the airline will have to rethink this idea. It will be a lot easier to clean those bathrooms than it will be to clean the carpets and there could be some pretty shocking surprises underneath the seats of the people who think they can hold it until they land.
Stay tuned.

9 comments:

Looking to the Stars said...

Betty, what a blast from the past! Yes, I remember those pay stalls, we held the door open so all of us could go and we couldn't believe they were making us pay to pee.

And you're right the airline needs to rethink this stupid move, some things from the past need to stay there!

kenju said...

I remember a few pay toilets, but they weren't as prominent in the place I live, thank God. I predict that Ryanair will rue the day they made that decision. We were going to fly Ryanair from Italy to France a few years ago, but we opted for an overnight train, which was very relaxing.

Anonymous said...

That takes me back. I remember having a choice. Usually one free and the rest pay. Free for dirty or pay for clean. Don't remember that idea lasting long. Lets hope no one else thinks it is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

I can just barely remember having to scoot under the stall to open it up for my mom. When I think of it now...ewwwww!

So next time I fly I have to remember to bring lunch money AND pee money? Sheesh...

Cazzie!!! said...

Not to mention a seemingly half empty apple juice bottle left on the plane upon the passengers departure... which is actually half full of urine..yes, it is a BAD idea!

Anonymous said...

Another bad idea by an industry that places customer service way down on its list of priorities (if it is on the list at all) and another of the many reasons I will never fly again.

Joy Des Jardins said...

I don't remember having to deal with pay toilets Betty...thank God. What a horrible idea. I don't fly all that much now...this won't help. Good grief.

Darlene said...

Oh yes, I remember pay toilets and if you didn't have the right change and there was no one to hold the door you had to "hold" something else. I would be in big trouble now.

Chancy said...

I remember pay toilets here in Atlanta at the old football and baseball stadium and in an auditorium too. And we did hold the door open for perfect strangers.
How silly of the airline to try this. Next they will be charging for the stale air passengers have to breath on the plane.