General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Flight Attendent Forces Child to Urinate In Seat [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)They clear the gates as quickly as possible so another plane can use it. Airlines try to keep their gates to a reasonable minimum because they pay dearly for them, especially at pricey airports like JFK, LaGuardia, or Boston.
Planes are filthy. They give them the Big Shampoo about once a month--they get a basic cleaning at the end of their workday. A pissy or pooped on seat might get a "spot clean."
Don't even speculate about what might have been on that 'tray table' before you got there. Plenty of parents just change the diaper in situ, and put the shitty one on the tray table while they do what needs doing.
It's never a bad idea to have a few wet wipes on hand, and wipe down your armrests, tray table, etc. It can get nasty in those planes.