Vacation Canceled This Year?
Some People are Still Going Places and Staying Safe.
March was coming. We had planned a trip for spring break.
To our favorite spot in Mexico, of course. Rocky Point.
Then along came Coronavirus.
I’m sure something similar happened to you?
Some have had more devastation in their families than just canceled travel plans. It wreaks havoc wherever it goes.
Some have managed to see a silver lining, and stay home without going stir-crazy.
Still others are silently getting out as things and places reopen.
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My parents have not traveled at all this year.
Unusual for them.
They are trying to stay safe and healthy.
We decided to go see them. The Teen, PC Jr, and I.
So we rented a car, packed disposable coolers with waters and food, and drove to see them.
The kids got to see some states and climates they otherwise wouldn’t have, because of this road trip.
We made sure we masked up and brought plenty of hand gel and wipes and stayed away from people. We were astounded at the number of people out and about in certain areas in crowds without masks.
We stayed in well-known hotels to get the points and in hopes that they had good cleaning regimens.
Fun trip.
So glad to see my parents.
Then we flew back.
That’s right.
Flew.
Turned in the rental car, used my built-up airline points for our tickets, and flew back home.
What a surprisingly pleasant experience.
The key was, we picked the right airline. One who has been careful with cleaning, social distancing, and requiring masks.
Fall and Winter break (not to mention Thanksgiving) are coming up.
Here I share with you our experience flying during the pandemic in July 2020:
The masks (worn properly), social distancing, cleaning, and respecting others in these things all surrounding the flight and airport experience – THIS is what helped us feel comfortable when we flew back.
We got to the airport, masked up.
All the workers were masked.
No one asked us to remove our mask EXCEPT mine, ONCE, at the TSA station where we present our IDs and boarding passes. The TSA guard wanted to see my whole face, so I had to pull my mask down for her for a couple seconds.
On we went through security, then to the gate.
There were a lot fewer people waiting for the same flight to a hub than I was used to.
Everyone we saw in the waiting area had masks on, required by the airline we chose.
We got the usual boarding numbers, where you usually line up in order to board? But we didn’t line up.
When it was boarding time, they called us in batches of 10. No one was to stand in the usual lines. We were to stay where we were until our batch of 10 was called.
We were to social-distance on the jetway.
The plane had been allocated so that NO middle seats had to be used unless you wanted to sit with your family in a whole row together.
We didn’t see anyone doing that, and The Teen sat behind us in his own row on both flights.
Because, you know. He’s too cool.
No one seemed bothered that I was wiping down everything (as per my usual pre-COVID times, but now who’s crazy, hmm?)
Seats, seatbelts, tray tables, armrests, buttons on the armrests, the overheard light/call light/air controller thingee, backs of the seat in front of us, the sidewall of the plane (oh, yah – mine had some sort of mark on it and my wipe got it clean – guess the plane people missed that).
Of COURSE, my kids were still embarrassed.
But you know what? On both flights, one of the flight attendants came through with a trashbag before we even backed away from the gate, calling out, “anyone have wipes or trash to throw out?“
Exactly.
They know what time it is.
Mmm hmm.
They served us a snack and water. That’s it. No choices. On either plane.
I felt so safe having those middle seats open and people masked and others wiping things down around them, also.
I believe they also announced there was a marshall on board for our security, also. I heard something about someone being on board for security, but I was so busy cleaning I didn’t really catch it.
Now for the bad news.
Not all airlines are being this generous and careful.
Some are packing people in like sardines because they’re losing money because people aren’t traveling.
Now, I ask you. Which airline(s) would you rather travel with?
Those who are taking proper care of their staff and customers?
Or those who are trying to save their bottom line and just SAYING they’re trying to take care of their staff and customers?
As of the writing of this post, there are currently only 4 airlines who are not filling all available seats:
- Jet Blue – see how they’re keeping you safe
- Southwest – see how they’re keeping you safe
- Delta – see how they’re keeping you safe here and Coronavirus travel info here
- Alaska Air – see their protection measures and how they’re limiting seating
Please drop me a comment below if things change or you find out otherwise.
To sum it up, here are the main things you need to know about flying during COVID in 2020:
- Bring your masks and wear them properly
- Follow CDC social distancing guidelines (at a MINIMUM)
- Be mindful and respectful of others’ personal space
- Bring wipes and wipe things down, including your own hands
- Patronize airlines that are keeping their staff and customers as safe as possible
- If you have tested positive for COVID recently (or been in close contact with someone who has or who has had it recently), reschedule your flight for more than 14 days after the exposure or positive result
In other words, know what to bring, how to act, when to postpone, and which airlines to fly with.
You may be thinking to yourself, most of this is common sense!
Is it? Maybe to you.
Look around, friend.
You’ll see many people who are in need of constant retraining. It’s hard to be patient when lives are on the line and people seem so self-centered or uncaring. I know.
Stay safe, friend.
Have fun.
And do your best to keep others safe, also.
Press Release: Travel Industry Outlines Relief Needs as Reopenings Falter
