Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
(Coming back from, say, somewhere in Texas, going to somewhere on the West Coast; about 3 hours and 30 minutes remaining.)
Naturally, at the top of climb, when all such things happen: "Ding dong."
"Front office."
The lead flight attendant calls you and reports that the waste (lavatory) tank's "SERVICE TANK" light is on. You learn (or perhaps, already know) that this means that the waste tank is at least 75% full, and when the airplane determines that the tank is 100% full, the lavatories will cease to function. Apparently, the station in Redacted, Texas didn't dump the tank on the airplane's turn, for some reason, and you're now 1/4th of the way done with your journey with 1/4th of the lavatory tank capacity remaining. This, obviously, will be inadequate.
Analysis you perform: Your route of flight is within easy (~45 minutes or less) diversion of a bunch of on-line stations that can perform a lav service, including several that are far downrange/towards the end of the flight when you expect the sanitary tank will be filled. The requisite paperwork will be filled out and an ACARS message to Dispatch and the originating station in Redacted, TX is blasted into the ether to inform those responsible of this terrible transgression. There is discussion of where to go based on when the lavatories quit and some advance planning made.
Several hours later (about 50 minutes remaining en route), the TANK FULL light is on, and the lavs, as designed, cease to function. At this point landing at the original destination makes more sense (it is only 7 minutes shorter to the closest on-line station and they're both in the same direction), so you do so. The appropriate "we're deeply sorry for the inconvenience" PA is made and since you're plenty fat on fuel you step it up a handful of knots. Upon arrival, the requisite irregularity reports are filed.
Anything you would do differently?
Naturally, at the top of climb, when all such things happen: "Ding dong."
"Front office."
The lead flight attendant calls you and reports that the waste (lavatory) tank's "SERVICE TANK" light is on. You learn (or perhaps, already know) that this means that the waste tank is at least 75% full, and when the airplane determines that the tank is 100% full, the lavatories will cease to function. Apparently, the station in Redacted, Texas didn't dump the tank on the airplane's turn, for some reason, and you're now 1/4th of the way done with your journey with 1/4th of the lavatory tank capacity remaining. This, obviously, will be inadequate.
Analysis you perform: Your route of flight is within easy (~45 minutes or less) diversion of a bunch of on-line stations that can perform a lav service, including several that are far downrange/towards the end of the flight when you expect the sanitary tank will be filled. The requisite paperwork will be filled out and an ACARS message to Dispatch and the originating station in Redacted, TX is blasted into the ether to inform those responsible of this terrible transgression. There is discussion of where to go based on when the lavatories quit and some advance planning made.
Several hours later (about 50 minutes remaining en route), the TANK FULL light is on, and the lavs, as designed, cease to function. At this point landing at the original destination makes more sense (it is only 7 minutes shorter to the closest on-line station and they're both in the same direction), so you do so. The appropriate "we're deeply sorry for the inconvenience" PA is made and since you're plenty fat on fuel you step it up a handful of knots. Upon arrival, the requisite irregularity reports are filed.
Anything you would do differently?
