Behind the Cockpit Door: How Private Jet Pilots Manage Bathroom Breaks Mid-Flight

Private Jet Pilot Reveals How They Go to the Bathroom on Long-Haul Flights
By Jowena Riley | Updated: 03:00 BST, 3 July 2025

Being a pilot offers perks like travel and stunning views, but one mystery remains: How do they use the bathroom mid-flight? Sam Remcho, a California-based pilot and social media personality known as the “Flying Cowboy,” recently answered this burning question in a candid TikTok video.

The “Relief Tube”: A Pilot’s Secret

In a post on his account @samremcho, Remcho revealed that when leaving the cockpit isn’t an option, pilots rely on a discreet device called a relief tube. Filming from a cockpit, he demonstrated the setup: a cone-shaped plastic cup attached to a long tube, stored beneath the center console.

Sam Remcho demonstrates the relief tube in a cockpit (Image: TikTok/@samremcho).

“You go in this thing, push the lever, and fluids exit the aircraft,” he explained. The waste is released outside the plane, where it typically evaporates before reaching the ground. However, Remcho admitted he avoids using it: “I’d have to clean the entire underbelly afterward.”

Managing the Basics

For long flights, Remcho’s advice is simple: “Manage your bladder.” Commercial pilots on large jets can rotate with co-pilots to use standard restrooms, but smaller or military aircraft often lack facilities, making the tube a last resort.

The relief tube’s design allows waste to exit the aircraft (Image: Daily Mail).

Why Avoid the Tube?

Despite its practicality, the device’s cleanup process deters frequent use. Remcho emphasized hygiene and convenience, noting pilots often restrict fluids before flights to minimize needs.

The Bigger Picture

While the relief tube solves emergencies, modern aviation prioritizes preparedness. Pilots plan hydration strategically, and on commercial flights, crew coordination ensures seamless breaks.

So next time you’re airborne, rest assured: pilots have a system—even if it’s not glamorous.

For more aviation insights, follow Sam Remcho’s journeys on TikTok.

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Images suggested: 1) Sam in the cockpit, 2) Close-up of the relief tube.
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