Originally published August 10, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 10, 2007 at 2:03 AM

No go on flight | When a plane takes off without a working restroom

A half-hour before a recent flight to Washington, D. C., from North Carolina, an American Airlines gate agent announced that the only restroom...

The Washington Post

A half-hour before a recent flight to Washington, D.C., from North Carolina, an American Airlines gate agent announced that the only restroom on the small plane was out of order and would be unavailable for the duration of the hourlong flight.

Passenger Amy Grulke asked: Can it be legal for a plane to depart with no working restroom?

"We have no rules regarding restrooms," U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Mosley said, suggesting that the Environmental Protection Agency be asked.

The EPA does set water-quality standards for aircraft, spokesman Dale Kemery said. He promised to investigate whether the agency has any further involvement. Soon he called back. "We don't do toilets," he said, and suggested contacting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Not us, said FAA spokeswoman Alison Duquette, who said that if there were a rule, it would be an EPA rule.

The best advice: Hold it.

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