Originally Posted by sandlapper223

So here's the scenario as it happened to me (I have overheard such scenarios loitering around the briefing room in the past):

Gear down on final, short final, call comes from the back. Ding! Lead FA: "Hey, we have a passenger who jumped up and ran into the lav. I think you should go around. I told her to remain seated and she ignored me. Should I get her out?"

Me: "Uhhh, no say strapped in. But this isn't a good time right now, I gotta go. (Click)

Now, before the wheels spin up in your head and get wrapped around the brain stem, yes we continued the approach and landed (and filled out an FSR).

I have heard other crews electing to execute a go-around after receiving a call like this and I want to know what your thoughts are. Here are my bullet points:

- Passengers have been briefed on landing checks and policy, seatbelt sign is on.

- Cabin crew is seated and strapped in. They are secured in their jumpseats to facilitate egress to the passengers in the event of an evac. Removing their harnesses and getting up to retrieve a passenger from the lav during landing could injure the FA in the event of an incident and prohibit them from performing their duties (remember inform not enforce).

- Executing a go-around on short final for any reason is an added and significant risk to ALL aboard the aircraft not to mention other aircraft in the vicinity. An aircraft which fails to clear the runway is a good reason. But a potty break? (Hey, but when yo gotta go-you gotta GO)!

- Go-around hazards: Irregular op, high workload, loss of separation, mid-air, FOD or bird, engine or mechanical failure, weather or low visibility issues, fuel issues, communication, errors/stress, ATC complications, arrival delays, and of course, expense.

All for one person who couldn't hold it? The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few?

And you say?