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We've all been there. Three sodas deep after a 4 hour layover, sitting on an idle plane cramped between a crying baby and sweaty guy. Just as you're about to get up to relieve yourself before the plane takes off, the seatbelt symbol lights up, trapping you in your seat as the plane prepares to ascend. You ask the flight attendant if you could just use the restroom quickly, but her perma-grin stares back at you and tells you to sit tight until the Captain says it is okay. Frustrated and desperate, you tense your body, close your eyes, and pray that you don't end up wet and crying like you're neighbors.

Airplane bathrooms are not always the easiest place to display manners. One or two undersized stalls definitely are not accommodating to such a large number of people. And when full bladders and long lines come together, impatience and anger are sometimes the result. The lack of privacy, space, and comfort, along with the inevitable stomach issues that altitude brings to many, can make for a very unpleasant experience. But there are a few precautions you can take to protect against any bowel blunders and ensure that you won't become the Restroom Nazi on your next flight.

1). Refrain from drinking a lot of fluids for about 30 minutes before your flight. Filling up on coffee, water, or soda will only up your chances of having to run to the bathroom later on.

2). Use the restroom shortly before boarding the plane. Emptying your system before you fly is a good way to avoid using the airplane stalls altogether.

3). If you have a history of bladder control issues or air sickness, ask the flight attendants if you can get a seat near the bathrooms. Easier access to them means you don't have to make the embarrassing and scary run down the aisle if a situation arises.

4). If there is a line that you simply can not wait in, politely ask the people in front of you if you can cut. If they can genuinely tell that you are having an emergency, then they will more than likely have some compassion for you. And if they don't, then just throw up on their shoes. Hey, they asked for it!

5). ALWAYS FLUSH! Don't let your germ phobia cause smelly and embarrassing inconveniences for others.

6). Understand other people's problems. When you are fortunate enough to not have bathroom issues, have some sympathy for those who do. Situations like that are always embarrassing and shameful for anyone, so don't make it worse by belittling or teasing them. Karma comes back around no matter where you are, including airplane bathrooms!

Learn more about this author, Jamie LB.
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