Pilots have a pee problem

Pilots are having difficulty using the toilet and suffer an increasing risk of kidney stones as a result of new security measures, according to International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations president Captain Dennis Dolan.
“The provision of bullet proof cockpit doors has enhanced inflight security. However, the presence of these doors and the requirement to keep them locked has led to other flight management and health and safety problems,” he said.
“For example, in some countries a complex security procedure is required for such a simple process as one of the pilots using the toilet.
“This can include flight attendants blocking off the forward part of the aircraft with service carts and/or remaining on the flightdeck until the pilot returns so that the flight attendant can open the door.
“Additionally, a statistical increase in pilots with kidney stones has been attributed to pilots drinking less water during flights as a result of the cumbersome nature of the procedure now required to enter and exit the cockpit.”
He said rules had been introduced to prevent passengers queuing for forward toilets and gathering in groups while the cockpit door was being opened and closed to facilitate pilot entry and exit during flight.
“IFALPA’s position is that public access to the forward part of the aircraft where crew facilities such as toilets and crew rest areas should be effectively blocked by lockable doors and, where possible, preferably all these facilities should be located forward of the bullet proof door and bulkhead.”
Dolan said that despite many of the inflight security measures put in place by the world’s airlines, effective inflight security must begin on the ground.