View Poll Results: When would you fly again?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll
When would you fly again?
Jul 17th, 2020, 06:43 AM
#81
Clear has been closed at MCO the last few months, but I didn't pay attention this time (they may have moved it). I don't have Clear, but have used it several times and the TSA at Clear is very rude. MCO had been in the process of shifting some things around pre-covid so I'm not sure how much is due to that or how much is due to cutting back on staff due to lack of people flying. Pre-check was moved months ago. At MCO, pre-check has been more beneficial as you end up in dedicated screening lines (don't have to take your shoes off, etc). Clear throws you in with everyone else in the general screening lines. Curbside check-in has also been closed for months which makes no sense as it seems to be less risk of covid. At Delta, Sky Priority (for people with status) check-in is also closed. I suspect mainly staff cutbacks.
At Charlotte:
Landed in D where all restaurants were closed (including Starbucks which I've seen typically open in most airports during covid) and D gates were very crowded (3:30pm). As I was walking to the branch off to other concourses, there were signs at a bar saying they were closed per state of NC directive for bars. There is a mini food court at the end of D (this area is called The Plaza) right before the branch off. Only Potbelly and Bojangles was open for food and there were no hand sanitizer stands. Oddly, Wicked (brewery/wine) was also open although all bar stools had been removed. They were pouring in clear plastic to go cups and I'm not sure why they aren't considered a bar when all the other bars were closed (another brewery was closed elsewhere in the airport). Auntie Anne's and Shake Shack were closed.
You will see plenty of people without masks and Charlotte was far more crowded than MCO Perhaps their walkways are narrower making people crammed together closer, but the gates also seemed more crowded. I saw AA pilots without masks and AA gate agents with their masks below their noses.
I didn't wander over to the A/B/C areas (too lazy) where the big food area is in The Atrium. I did notice that the moving sidewalk leaving D to go to those areas was shut down and roped off. That just adds to people crammed closer together as everyone had to be in the narrow walkway by the row of shops to that area instead of spread out between the two areas. Oddly, there is another Starbucks as you are leaving D and heading towards A/B/C and it was open while the one at D gates was closed.
As you leave the Plaza (Auntie Anne exit end) and turn right to go to the down escalators to E gates (I was flying out of E) there was a hand sanitizer on a stand, but I don't think most people would notice it. It was up against the wall and I don't think most people would notice it.
You pass a few E gates before reaching a branch off area (called Rotunda) to a couple of more E areas. PZA was open for food as was Farmers Mkt. Whisky River was closed. I did see a hand sanitizer in this area in an obscure place. I was making a point to look, but I think the average person traveling would not see it. CLT seems to have placed these out of the normal pathways and requiring extra effort on your part if you want to use them. Back at my E gate area Burger King was open.
Some of the news/sundry type stores have masks for sale. At CLT and LEX I've seen a two-pack of KN95 masks. No price on the ones at CLT. In LEX, they are $14.95. They are quite possibly some of the many counterfeit masks being sold as they did not have an actual rating on them. Just a claim to filter out certain airborne particles. Trump has allowed a lot of masks in this country from China that are fake and they are not attempting to crack down on them. The CDC has a list of some fakes, but not all. Real N95 or KN95 will have the actual particle rating and also the #/permit that manufacture has saying it's approved by the US regs. Most masks won't have any of that. On the CDC lists, they state some of the fakes are simply copying other manufacturers permit #'s. Buy at your own risk, but I guess any mask is better than none.
My flight was full. No service announcement. I dozed, but woke to see a lady across the aisle with her tray down. She had a can of coke and a cup of ice. No one else had anything. I don't know if she brought the coke on board and simply asked the FA for ice to go with it or if she asked for both coke/ice for some reason and they supplied it. People had on masks, but some below their noses. People take them off to eat or drink something they brought on board.
KY has a mask mandate (although Mitch's handpicked AG is suing the governor to get all covid exec orders/mandates tossed), but some people exiting the plane in LEX thought it was time to take off their masks. All you can do is try to avoid them. In the concourse area at LEX, every large support pole in the walkway area has automated hand sanitizer. Exiting to baggage claim area you have two very large automated revolving doors that are glass enclosed . There were two ladies in front of me that had removed their masks so I attempted to use the other one, but it wasn't turned on (you can't manually push these). I waited a few minutes before exiting. You just can't avoid all these people that have no sense.
I'm flying less this summer and probably won't fly again until mid August. I will be back on Delta as they are not packing flights like AA. Delta extended their social distancing policy on board until Sept. 30.
***Delta will cap seating at 50% in first class, 60% in other cabins and 75% in its exclusive Delta One cabins.***
At Charlotte:
Landed in D where all restaurants were closed (including Starbucks which I've seen typically open in most airports during covid) and D gates were very crowded (3:30pm). As I was walking to the branch off to other concourses, there were signs at a bar saying they were closed per state of NC directive for bars. There is a mini food court at the end of D (this area is called The Plaza) right before the branch off. Only Potbelly and Bojangles was open for food and there were no hand sanitizer stands. Oddly, Wicked (brewery/wine) was also open although all bar stools had been removed. They were pouring in clear plastic to go cups and I'm not sure why they aren't considered a bar when all the other bars were closed (another brewery was closed elsewhere in the airport). Auntie Anne's and Shake Shack were closed.
You will see plenty of people without masks and Charlotte was far more crowded than MCO Perhaps their walkways are narrower making people crammed together closer, but the gates also seemed more crowded. I saw AA pilots without masks and AA gate agents with their masks below their noses.
I didn't wander over to the A/B/C areas (too lazy) where the big food area is in The Atrium. I did notice that the moving sidewalk leaving D to go to those areas was shut down and roped off. That just adds to people crammed closer together as everyone had to be in the narrow walkway by the row of shops to that area instead of spread out between the two areas. Oddly, there is another Starbucks as you are leaving D and heading towards A/B/C and it was open while the one at D gates was closed.
As you leave the Plaza (Auntie Anne exit end) and turn right to go to the down escalators to E gates (I was flying out of E) there was a hand sanitizer on a stand, but I don't think most people would notice it. It was up against the wall and I don't think most people would notice it.
You pass a few E gates before reaching a branch off area (called Rotunda) to a couple of more E areas. PZA was open for food as was Farmers Mkt. Whisky River was closed. I did see a hand sanitizer in this area in an obscure place. I was making a point to look, but I think the average person traveling would not see it. CLT seems to have placed these out of the normal pathways and requiring extra effort on your part if you want to use them. Back at my E gate area Burger King was open.
Some of the news/sundry type stores have masks for sale. At CLT and LEX I've seen a two-pack of KN95 masks. No price on the ones at CLT. In LEX, they are $14.95. They are quite possibly some of the many counterfeit masks being sold as they did not have an actual rating on them. Just a claim to filter out certain airborne particles. Trump has allowed a lot of masks in this country from China that are fake and they are not attempting to crack down on them. The CDC has a list of some fakes, but not all. Real N95 or KN95 will have the actual particle rating and also the #/permit that manufacture has saying it's approved by the US regs. Most masks won't have any of that. On the CDC lists, they state some of the fakes are simply copying other manufacturers permit #'s. Buy at your own risk, but I guess any mask is better than none.
My flight was full. No service announcement. I dozed, but woke to see a lady across the aisle with her tray down. She had a can of coke and a cup of ice. No one else had anything. I don't know if she brought the coke on board and simply asked the FA for ice to go with it or if she asked for both coke/ice for some reason and they supplied it. People had on masks, but some below their noses. People take them off to eat or drink something they brought on board.
KY has a mask mandate (although Mitch's handpicked AG is suing the governor to get all covid exec orders/mandates tossed), but some people exiting the plane in LEX thought it was time to take off their masks. All you can do is try to avoid them. In the concourse area at LEX, every large support pole in the walkway area has automated hand sanitizer. Exiting to baggage claim area you have two very large automated revolving doors that are glass enclosed . There were two ladies in front of me that had removed their masks so I attempted to use the other one, but it wasn't turned on (you can't manually push these). I waited a few minutes before exiting. You just can't avoid all these people that have no sense.
I'm flying less this summer and probably won't fly again until mid August. I will be back on Delta as they are not packing flights like AA. Delta extended their social distancing policy on board until Sept. 30.
***Delta will cap seating at 50% in first class, 60% in other cabins and 75% in its exclusive Delta One cabins.***
Jul 17th, 2020, 06:09 PM
#85
I described our flights exactly as they happened.We fly often, domestically and internationally, and there is no need for me to exaggerate.I had called AA and was told there would be no meal service nor alcoholic drinks in First Class. I am only reporting back to let others on these forums know what it was like for us. We wore masks as did everyone we saw except for one couple when going through security. The fact that the whole flight was only given a small bottle of water, very small, for that long a flight is not healthy. If flying AA, buy water bottles to take on board, even in First Class.
And bring a sandwich from home as we couldn't find any food to buy "to go" in any airport. Our mistake as we went from 6am Pacific time until 8pm Eastern time with nothing to eat.
After we arrived, I saw a poll giving AA a "D"grade: it should have been an"F." We have a high premium status with them and do not want to fly with them again if possible. We have a return date booked which we will probably have to extend.
I don't know how the flight attendants can get the passengers to behave when deplaning. Maybe they have to stand in pairs blocking the aisles. The instructions were to wait until the row in front of you was walking down the aisle. There was chaos, people grabbing luggage and trying to leave without waiting.Worse than in normal times.
We had a very long distance to walk between gates when changing planes. There was a shuttle bus but we hesitated to get on it no knowing how crowded it might be.
We are where we want to be now and felt the trip by plane was necessary. But it was an ordeal and frightening for us at times due to compromised status and lack of concern and service by AA.
And bring a sandwich from home as we couldn't find any food to buy "to go" in any airport. Our mistake as we went from 6am Pacific time until 8pm Eastern time with nothing to eat.
After we arrived, I saw a poll giving AA a "D"grade: it should have been an"F." We have a high premium status with them and do not want to fly with them again if possible. We have a return date booked which we will probably have to extend.
I don't know how the flight attendants can get the passengers to behave when deplaning. Maybe they have to stand in pairs blocking the aisles. The instructions were to wait until the row in front of you was walking down the aisle. There was chaos, people grabbing luggage and trying to leave without waiting.Worse than in normal times.
We had a very long distance to walk between gates when changing planes. There was a shuttle bus but we hesitated to get on it no knowing how crowded it might be.
We are where we want to be now and felt the trip by plane was necessary. But it was an ordeal and frightening for us at times due to compromised status and lack of concern and service by AA.
Jul 17th, 2020, 06:41 PM
#86
Clear has been closed at MCO the last few months, but I didn't pay attention this time (they may have moved it). I don't have Clear, but have used it several times and the TSA at Clear is very rude. MCO had been in the process of shifting some things around pre-covid so I'm not sure how much is due to that or how much is due to cutting back on staff due to lack of people flying.
...I'm flying less this summer and probably won't fly again until mid August. I will be back on Delta as they are not packing flights like AA. Delta extended their social distancing policy on board until Sept. 30.
***Delta will cap seating at 50% in first class, 60% in other cabins and 75% in its exclusive Delta One cabins.***
...I'm flying less this summer and probably won't fly again until mid August. I will be back on Delta as they are not packing flights like AA. Delta extended their social distancing policy on board until Sept. 30.
***Delta will cap seating at 50% in first class, 60% in other cabins and 75% in its exclusive Delta One cabins.***
Thanks for all the great details. I decided to go back to my job and was VERY pleased to learn we are not expected to fly until we are ready to fly. The company is serious about it so until then everything is virtual. I am thrilled. I was so worried when I started this thread but your input really helped me feel better about the protocols Delta is using. MANY thanks!
I love Clear in Atlanta. It makes flying out of the ATL bearable. I've considered flying out of Asheville instead. That decision is on hold for now.
Last edited by starrs; Jul 17th, 2020 at 06:43 PM.
Jul 17th, 2020, 06:49 PM
#87
I described our flights exactly as they happened.We fly often, domestically and internationally, and there is no need for me to exaggerate.
...And bring a sandwich from home as we couldn't find any food to buy "to go" in any airport. Our mistake as we went from 6am Pacific time until 8pm Eastern time with nothing to eat.
...We are where we want to be now and felt the trip by plane was necessary. But it was an ordeal and frightening for us at times due to compromised status and lack of concern and service by AA.
...And bring a sandwich from home as we couldn't find any food to buy "to go" in any airport. Our mistake as we went from 6am Pacific time until 8pm Eastern time with nothing to eat.
...We are where we want to be now and felt the trip by plane was necessary. But it was an ordeal and frightening for us at times due to compromised status and lack of concern and service by AA.
To counter your first hand report with accounts someone has read on another forum was just strange.
I guess the Boars Head kiosk will be closed the next time I fly. My evening meal is often their protein pack with grapes.
That was a LONG day without food! I bet you take protein bars or munchies next time!
I don't blame you for not flying AA in the future. I'm with you on that!
Jul 18th, 2020, 05:11 AM
#88
This is awesome! Way to go, Delta!
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atl...LKWp49uGRV4L8k
This move by Delta protects all who fly with the airline. Delta currently has a requirement that all fliers must wear a face covering.
The new option stops a potential loophole in which customers could say they can’t wear a mask because of a medical condition.
The consultation will be a phone call facilitated by a Delta employee and a medical consultant at STAT-MD. STAT-MD is an arm of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which Delta has partnered with in the past.
Approval to fly for the passenger will depend on the outcome of the consultation
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atl...LKWp49uGRV4L8k
Delta will require passengers to complete virtual health consultation if they refuse to wear a mask
ATLANTA — Delta Airlines will require passengers that refuse to wear a mask on board to undergo a “virtual consultation” with a health professional before traveling.This move by Delta protects all who fly with the airline. Delta currently has a requirement that all fliers must wear a face covering.
The new option stops a potential loophole in which customers could say they can’t wear a mask because of a medical condition.
The consultation will be a phone call facilitated by a Delta employee and a medical consultant at STAT-MD. STAT-MD is an arm of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which Delta has partnered with in the past.
Approval to fly for the passenger will depend on the outcome of the consultation
Jul 18th, 2020, 11:06 PM
#89
I really appreciate everyone taking the time to write out all of these travel experiences/details. THANK YOU!
We may drive SF to Denver and fly back DEN to SFO in mid-September for family reasons.
Currently I have a travel credit with United, a major carrier for us, and am considering booking in First and we hope boarding last, whether they book from back to front or not. (Only other airline we'd use for this trip is Southwest.)
Any recs as to whether to book front of back of FC cabin in United? Two of us flying together.
We may drive SF to Denver and fly back DEN to SFO in mid-September for family reasons.
Currently I have a travel credit with United, a major carrier for us, and am considering booking in First and we hope boarding last, whether they book from back to front or not. (Only other airline we'd use for this trip is Southwest.)
Any recs as to whether to book front of back of FC cabin in United? Two of us flying together.
Jul 19th, 2020, 08:05 AM
#91
I wonder if airlines will extend vouchers? I'm holding one from Alaska Air from a cancelled March 2020 trip. It was originally good for 6 months, now extended out to July 2021. Curious if I can't or decide not to use it by then, if they will extend again. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Jul 19th, 2020, 09:39 AM
#92
Me too.
I can't believe how messed up and twisted this basic public health and safety item has become.
Someone posted this link today. Right now, I hate people -
https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...a/?arc404=true
A $10/ hour clerk should not be bullied and threatened this way.
I can't believe how messed up and twisted this basic public health and safety item has become.
Someone posted this link today. Right now, I hate people -
https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...a/?arc404=true
A $10/ hour clerk should not be bullied and threatened this way.
Jul 23rd, 2020, 06:10 PM
#94
***Clear was off to the far right.***
Clear on side B at MCO was where you go up to the Hyatt. It's been closed for some time. I was at MCO the day the TSA agent committed suicide by jumping into the atrium from the Hyatt balcony. The airport shut down (all flights in and out stopped) and once it opened back up I was shuffled through the Clear line. They did no screening. It was bizarre they just did a full ground stop and then didn't screen people.
DELTA - Yesterday the CEO said "If you insist on no mask, then we insist you don't fly Delta." "You cannot board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on,'' he said. "If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don't fly Delta into the future. We already have over 100 people we've put on that list." They are simply going to ban you. Good for Delta.
***I guess the Boars Head kiosk will be closed the next time I fly. My evening meal is often their protein pack with grapes.***
There have been random food places open in the various ATL concourses including some grab and go kiosks. Some of these have gone to self serve/self check-out with an employee nearby observing.
***I have credits for Southwest which expire in February and I hope they extend them too.***
I have Southwest credits too although I didn't pay attention to when the expire (flight was supposed to have been mid April).
Clear on side B at MCO was where you go up to the Hyatt. It's been closed for some time. I was at MCO the day the TSA agent committed suicide by jumping into the atrium from the Hyatt balcony. The airport shut down (all flights in and out stopped) and once it opened back up I was shuffled through the Clear line. They did no screening. It was bizarre they just did a full ground stop and then didn't screen people.
DELTA - Yesterday the CEO said "If you insist on no mask, then we insist you don't fly Delta." "You cannot board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on,'' he said. "If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don't fly Delta into the future. We already have over 100 people we've put on that list." They are simply going to ban you. Good for Delta.
***I guess the Boars Head kiosk will be closed the next time I fly. My evening meal is often their protein pack with grapes.***
There have been random food places open in the various ATL concourses including some grab and go kiosks. Some of these have gone to self serve/self check-out with an employee nearby observing.
***I have credits for Southwest which expire in February and I hope they extend them too.***
I have Southwest credits too although I didn't pay attention to when the expire (flight was supposed to have been mid April).
Jul 23rd, 2020, 07:28 PM
#95
Kybourbon- I had quite a few flights that I had to cancel with Southwest and they all expire in Sept. 2022. They have a new section on your account called My Travel Funds and you can view your expiration dates.
Jul 24th, 2020, 10:01 AM
#96
DELTA - Yesterday the CEO said "If you insist on no mask, then we insist you don't fly Delta." "You cannot board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on,'' he said. "If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don't fly Delta into the future. We already have over 100 people we've put on that list." They are simply going to ban you. Good for Delta.
***I guess the Boars Head kiosk will be closed the next time I fly. My evening meal is often their protein pack with grapes.***
There have been random food places open in the various ATL concourses including some grab and go kiosks. Some of these have gone to self serve/self check-out with an employee nearby observing.
Good to know that Boar's Head's kiosks may be open. I'll be prepared with munchies in my tote, but will buy the snack pack if they are open and offering it.
I'm not sure when I'll be flying again but not in the foreseeable future. We have gone all virtual, and I'm fine with that. I'm working with someone I've worked with for 30 years and she ended our call today with "see you soon!" and then we both laughed because we won't - other than a computer screen. It's okay. It's a new day and happy to still be around.
Jul 27th, 2020, 08:26 AM
#98
>> Any recs as to whether to book front of back of FC cabin in United?
I would probably choose the last row in F. The carrier doesn't matter. The configuration of the cabin might. Typically, there is a bulkhead in front of the first row and another behind the last row of F. in the last row the bulkhead behind you would be a barrier to the people in coach and the other FC passengers would be breathing away from you (tho I don't really know what the airllow is like, I think it might be more "up" than forward).
I would take the advantage of boarding first that comes with a FC seat. The jetway would be relatively less "polluted" when you go first versus following everyone else. The cabin would be relatively fresh too. I would spend the time in my seat instead of in the jetway and aisle.
That is my thinking, anyway. Where you sit might matter but when you board probably doesn't matter much, if at all.
I would probably choose the last row in F. The carrier doesn't matter. The configuration of the cabin might. Typically, there is a bulkhead in front of the first row and another behind the last row of F. in the last row the bulkhead behind you would be a barrier to the people in coach and the other FC passengers would be breathing away from you (tho I don't really know what the airllow is like, I think it might be more "up" than forward).
I would take the advantage of boarding first that comes with a FC seat. The jetway would be relatively less "polluted" when you go first versus following everyone else. The cabin would be relatively fresh too. I would spend the time in my seat instead of in the jetway and aisle.
That is my thinking, anyway. Where you sit might matter but when you board probably doesn't matter much, if at all.
Jul 28th, 2020, 10:56 AM
#99
OMG - thank you!!! What great news! I've been trying to keep track with SW on my travel funds, since you need to know your confirmation number from the trip you modified or canceled, and it was a huge issue remembering where I wrote down the reminder! I checked it out, and it even has the one flight I canceled that expires this November! (I was using points, so it is only $11, but still . . .!).
Aug 2nd, 2020, 09:51 AM
#100
This past week Delta removed two passengers from a flight (DTW-ATL) for refusing to wear their masks. Since masks are required for boarding, they must have taken them off after they left the gate. The FA's asked them to put their masks on and they refused. The plane returned to the gate and they were removed. They are now banned from flying Delta. The Delta bans are permanent, not just during covid.
Delta's mask policy means everyone has to comply. If you try to claim a medical reason, Delta has doctors online that are going to immediately screen you about that medical reason. It will be their decision, not some random online doc selling medical excuses.
My next flight will be in a little over two weeks on Delta. I don't expect much changes at the airports although the mask mandate for KY started July 10 and was for 30 days. There is some obscure reg about the governor only being able to institute emergency things for 30 days (the R's in our state legislature keep suing him every time he tries to protect us from covid). I haven't been in ATL since June, but won't have much time to look around as my layover is short.
When I looked at my Southwest, it said it expires 3/21, but that may have been extended. I will have to check again.
Delta's mask policy means everyone has to comply. If you try to claim a medical reason, Delta has doctors online that are going to immediately screen you about that medical reason. It will be their decision, not some random online doc selling medical excuses.
My next flight will be in a little over two weeks on Delta. I don't expect much changes at the airports although the mask mandate for KY started July 10 and was for 30 days. There is some obscure reg about the governor only being able to institute emergency things for 30 days (the R's in our state legislature keep suing him every time he tries to protect us from covid). I haven't been in ATL since June, but won't have much time to look around as my layover is short.
When I looked at my Southwest, it said it expires 3/21, but that may have been extended. I will have to check again.
