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Has anyone flown since Covid??

Started by OCGuy81, February 22, 2021, 03:14:33 PM

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OCGuy81

My wife and I are pretty much obligated to attend a wedding next month, and I was curious who has been on a flight recently? What's it like now?

We're well aware we need to mask up, but have your flights been full? Long TSA lines?


Evan_Th

I flew back in November.  The TSA lines were a lot shorter than usual, and the person checking my ID had me take my mask off for a moment so she could see my face.  (I held my breath while doing it.)

The airline didn't sell middle seats; the seats they were selling were pretty full - in other words, the plane was almost 2/3 of normal capacity.  The flight attendants were insistent on proper mask-wearing, and had me pull mine down over my chin even though I really don't think it made a real difference given that it covered my mouth.

webny99

Yes, back in July. It went fine; it was a lot quieter than usual, with not a lot of restaurants open in the airports, and the planes only about 1/2 to 2/3 full. Other than that and the mask-wearing, it felt weird, like everything during COVID, but nothing was exceptionally different or surprising.

OCGuy81

We're flying Portland-Atlanta on Delta. I don't *think* they sell middle seats.

Feel I know the answer but probably no beverage or food service?

webny99

Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 22, 2021, 03:43:44 PM
Feel I know the answer but probably no beverage or food service?

There actually was on the flights I was on, but there was no choices: everyone got a baggie with a snack and a water bottle.

gonealookin

#5
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 22, 2021, 03:43:44 PM
Feel I know the answer but probably no beverage or food service?

Southwest was passing out wrapped packages of snacks when I flew SMF-HNL and OAK-HNL within the last couple months (a bag of Wheat Thins with some dip, a little bag of fruit chews).  Only beverage was water though; sadly the opportunity to pay $8.50 for 12 oz. of beer is gone for now.

SMF-HNL was pretty empty, about 30-35 passengers on a 175-seat 737-800 each way.  OAK-HNL well over 100 passengers each way; middle seats were taken but most often by families.

The in-airport experience was delightful in all cases.  No lines anywhere for baggage check or security, just walk straight up to the desk.  I'd note that a LOT of in-airport businesses are closed so eat beforehand, don't count on grabbing anything significant in the airport.

formulanone

#6
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 22, 2021, 03:43:44 PM
We’re flying Portland-Atlanta on Delta. I don’t *think* they sell middle seats.

Feel I know the answer but probably no beverage or food service?

I've flown twenty times round-trip; on the longer flights (I flew ATL-SEA in June/July on Delta) the only food service is a little plastic bag with water, cookies, and crackers. They offer soda, beer, and wine...but no coffee. American Airlines and United have offered coffee and some snacks in coach, though I've only flown on their regional airlines' subsidiaries since last June. In First Class, there's no meals, but a slightly larger array of boxed snacks, with Delta and United as personal examples. Regional cabin service can run from very limited to pretty good (considering those tiny pressurized tubes), but it's always been a mixed bag.

Food is limited at all airports, and those take-out lines seem a little longer because of it. Many of the newsstands have shuttered up, so there may not be one right by your desired gate. Smaller airports are usually devoid of food choices. I suggest packing your own snacks and a light meal. I waited 30 minutes just to place an order with Whataburger in Houston, and another 10-15 minutes to have it cooked, but I had a 90 minute layover with minimal transit distance, so it worked out.

Delta has blocked middle seats on three-across seating, but they will they will permit seating together if you're travelling as a family on the same itinerary. If the aircraft has two-across seating (Boeing 717, Airbus A220, and regional jets), they've randomly decided which side of the plane has blocked-off seats at the time of booking, so about 75% would be considered full. First Class seating is usually 2-2, so they just seat one passenger per two-seat-block.

I'm told that Southwest isn't blocking it any longer (unless it's open, which means nothing has really changed). American and United will sell every last seat on the jet; admittedly, I've been on some regional jets with 7-8 passengers but some destinations have been on the fuller side.

TSA has been back to full strength in most places, and short lines have been the one advantage out of all the missing amenities and services, weaker flight choices, and the concern with falling  ill. Most people are somewhat aware of your space, but the automatic tendency for passengers to crowd together has eased a lot of the last several months. With less passengers, I've been upgraded slightly more than usual (for example, basic/mid-tier loyalty with United has given me as many upgrades as high-tier with Delta), though United doesn't usually block off First Class seats.

Rothman

Nope.  My daughter was a contact tracer up until a month ago (switched over to scheduling vaccinations).  The number of people who fly while either unknowingly or even knowingly infected with the coronavirus was a lot higher than you'd think.

One case she had was an elderly woman who refused to give her flight number after she brought the virus with her to the Northeast from Florida.  Daughter got her to narrow it down to where they could ID the flight, though.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Flint1979

I flew once one way from Flint, MI to Sanford, FL and there were only 6 people on the flight. This was back in March of last year about ten days after all the shutdowns.

Sani

I've flown a few times, once over the summer to see my aunt who had terminal cancer (she managed to beat it and is doing much better, and she hasn't contracted Covid!), and a few times since the fall to visit my wife and kids. My wife is working as a travel nurse in Florida, and for various reasons she has our toddler and teenage daughter with her, while our oldest son is home with me. I flew Southwest down there a few weeks ago, and my wife and kids have been back on Spirit or Allegiant a few times.

The planes definitely seem cleaner than they used to. Mask enforcement varies from a couple announcements at the beginning of the flight and essentially ignored after that to patrolling the aisles and calling out anyone letting it slip. Don't count on snacks or beverages, but Spirit and Allegiant charged for them long before Covid anyway. I think Southwest was only giving out bottled water with their snack mix, no sodas or anything else. There's lots of hand sanitizer in the airport, and you can bring it with you in your carry-on as well, up to 9 oz.

I haven't gotten sick yet (that I know of), and despite the reputation of cabin air as stale and recycled, it's actually fresh and filtered well, moreso than in any restaurant or other indoor space. If you keep your mask or masks on and wash/sanitize your hands often, and skip the drinks and snacks, you should be at minimal risk. That said, I don't have a medical degree, I don't work at the CDC, and I don't even know anyone named Fauci, so please refer to official guidelines and talk with your doctor for professional guidance.

JayhawkCO

I flew once to Minneapolis for my cousin's funeral in late April.  No middle seats at the time.  No TSA line (at DEN!).  Flew a super weird routing on the way back due to all the cancellations (Minneapolis-Green Bay-Denver).

Chris

Bruce

Make sure to comply with the 14-day quarantine if it is required in a state you deplane in. Not doing so is reckless and irresponsible.

I'm not setting foot inside a plane (as much as I want to) until we're at herd immunity. At current pace, it shouldn't be too long.

OCGuy81

All really good information, thank you!

I think we'll definitely eat a big meal before, sounds like the terminal is hit or Miss on what's open.

doorknob60

I flew in August and again in January. Most of my planes were on the fuller side, no blocked seats (United and American in August, Alaska and Southwest in January). Good compliance of masks and other precautions though, both on board and in the airports. TSA lines short (<5 minutes). I had no issue finding food/snacks in any of the airport terminals I've looked for it. For example McDonalds was open at both PDX and MCO. Food/snack service onboard was reduced but not eliminated, and varied by airline. At minimum water was available, sometimes soda and other options were available too. Typical snacks like pretzels were still handed out.

ahj2000

Bring food and water. A lot of smaller airports only have one or two shops and things open, which can get crowded.
Everyone on my flights have been wearing masks and stuff. I upgrade myself to N95 on flights just to feel a little better.
The reality is that commercial planes use HEPA filters and a re very good at circulating air. It's a pretty virus-safe way to travel-once you get in the tube.

kphoger

Quote from: Bruce on February 22, 2021, 05:39:35 PM
I'm not setting foot inside a plane (as much as I want to) until we're at herd immunity. At current pace, it shouldn't be too long.

I'd be a little bit on edge flying on a plane, but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable riding on a long-distance bus at all these days.  And I have a relatively high risk tolerance compared to many people.  How is Greyhound even staying in business?

Quote from: doorknob60 on February 22, 2021, 06:40:27 PM
Good compliance of masks ...

By this point, everyone's seen enough social media videos of passengers fighting with staff.  They all end with the passenger being escorted/dragged off the plane.  I can't imagine most people would want to be the 'star' of the next such video–regardless of their personal opinion of mask requirements.

Quote from: ahj2000 on February 23, 2021, 09:32:32 AM
The reality is that commercial planes use HEPA filters and a re very good at circulating air. It's a pretty virus-safe way to travel-once you get in the tube.

Anyone considering flying should watch this video:

Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

NWI_Irish96

We took a family vacation to Colorado in August and flew Midway to Denver round trip. That was at a time when there was a valley in infection rates in between the Spring and Winter peaks. It was also when the airlines were leaving middle seats open.

We would not have been willing to fly again after about November 1, and will not again until I'm able to get vaccinated (my wife has already).

I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend. I have a nephew getting married in early April and I'm not going. My life and health outweigh anybody else's sense of being entitled to my presence.
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Jim

I had just arrived in Portland, Oregon, for a conference last March when things were starting to be cancelled. I flew back early when the conference was cut short.  At the time, few had masks to wear even if they wanted to, and the guidance was telling us they were useless anyway.  The most memorable part was the SWA flight attendant observing everyone wiping down seats and tray tables who said something like "please feel free to clean the area around your seat, but I can say I've been doing this for 20 years and I've never flown on a cleaner airplane than the one you're on". 

We flew to Florida to buy a car to drive home in July, when things were pretty good in the northeast but Florida was having more infections.  No issues on the plane, but there were some people at the airport in Albany and many people at the airport in St. Pete who didn't wear masks.  We did not have close encounters with any of them.  At the time there was still more question about surface transmission, so we did a lot of wiping down.  Also since the trip was really quick (back in states not on NY's quarantine list in under 24 hours) we felt the risk was low and we avoided a required quarantine.  We still avoided contacts for 10 days or so "out of an abundance of caution". 

We drove to FL between Christmas and New Years, very confident that our contacts were limited and almost all outdoor.  So we were probably subject to a lot less potential exposure than we would have had staying around home and going to grocery stores and in the ski lodge.  I don't think we would have flown at that time, though, not because of the airplanes themselves but all of the indoor contacts in airports, etc.

At this point, it's easy for me to say I'd fly again because I'm over 2 weeks past shot 2.  If wasn't, I'd probably wait a bit longer.
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kphoger

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 23, 2021, 09:40:17 AM
I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend.

Who are you to judge?  For all you know, this is the most important day in the life of the most important person in his life.  Can this thread not just be about what it's like to fly now, rather than guilt-tripping people who don't agree with us? especially onsidering how safe air travel is reported to be.

(For what it's worth, I know people who were severely disappointed in either {a} not having people at their wedding or {b} not being able to attend a wedding.  I also know someone who was kind of happy that she could use COVID as an excuse to get out of attending an out-of-state wedding.  :))
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

SectorZ

Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 11:53:36 AM
Quote from: cabiness42 on February 23, 2021, 09:40:17 AM
I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend.

Who are you to judge?  For all you know, this is the most important day in the life of the most important person in his life.  Can this thread not just be about what it's like to fly now, rather than guilt-tripping people who don't agree with us? especially onsidering how safe air travel is reported to be.

(For what it's worth, I know people who were severely disappointed in either {a} not having people at their wedding or {b} not being able to attend a wedding.  I also know someone who was kind of happy that she could use COVID as an excuse to get out of attending an out-of-state wedding.  :))

I thought the point of all internet forums were to admonish those via holier-than-thou judgments?

kphoger

Quote from: SectorZ on February 23, 2021, 12:31:41 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 11:53:36 AM

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 23, 2021, 09:40:17 AM
I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend.

Who are you to judge?  For all you know, this is the most important day in the life of the most important person in his life.  Can this thread not just be about what it's like to fly now, rather than guilt-tripping people who don't agree with us? especially onsidering how safe air travel is reported to be.

(For what it's worth, I know people who were severely disappointed in either {a} not having people at their wedding or {b} not being able to attend a wedding.  I also know someone who was kind of happy that she could use COVID as an excuse to get out of attending an out-of-state wedding.  :))

I thought the point of all internet forums were to admonish those via holier-than-thou judgments?

Oops.  My bad.  I really should read the terms and conditions when I subscribe to stuff.
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

SectorZ

Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on February 23, 2021, 12:31:41 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 11:53:36 AM

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 23, 2021, 09:40:17 AM
I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend.

Who are you to judge?  For all you know, this is the most important day in the life of the most important person in his life.  Can this thread not just be about what it's like to fly now, rather than guilt-tripping people who don't agree with us? especially onsidering how safe air travel is reported to be.

(For what it's worth, I know people who were severely disappointed in either {a} not having people at their wedding or {b} not being able to attend a wedding.  I also know someone who was kind of happy that she could use COVID as an excuse to get out of attending an out-of-state wedding.  :))

I thought the point of all internet forums were to admonish those via holier-than-thou judgments?

Oops.  My bad.  I really should read the terms and conditions when I subscribe to stuff.

:-D

OCGuy81

Quote from: SectorZ on February 23, 2021, 01:02:07 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on February 23, 2021, 12:31:41 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 11:53:36 AM

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 23, 2021, 09:40:17 AM
I'm not sure why you feel obligated to attend.

Who are you to judge?  For all you know, this is the most important day in the life of the most important person in his life.  Can this thread not just be about what it's like to fly now, rather than guilt-tripping people who don't agree with us? especially onsidering how safe air travel is reported to be.

(For what it's worth, I know people who were severely disappointed in either {a} not having people at their wedding or {b} not being able to attend a wedding.  I also know someone who was kind of happy that she could use COVID as an excuse to get out of attending an out-of-state wedding.  :))

I thought the point of all internet forums were to admonish those via holier-than-thou judgments?

Oops.  My bad.  I really should read the terms and conditions when I subscribe to stuff.

:-D

It's all good, I didn't take offense, and everyone can have their opinions. In my situation, it's my wife's sister so its mostly the wife insistent on going 😄

kphoger

Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

OCGuy81




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