“it had to be done from the outside and we did not take the opportunity to send a plumber (out) at 10,000 meters”
Heroism of that sort might be appreciated, but should not be expected.
I have heard Southwest Airlines flight attendants mention that smoking is allowed on this flight but only in the smoking room. The smoking room is out on the port-side wing just beyond the engine.
They just say that to jack up the estimate.