Flying during Covid-19
I just got back from a much needed relaxing trip to Indiana to see friends. I had several ask while I was there and then upon my return what it was like to fly with all of this going on, so here you go!
First of all, I booked this trip back in April when it was super cheap. And when I say super cheap, I mean $100 dollars off the normal price I pay to fly there and even then, it’s not an expensive ticket. The original flight I booked was changed a few different times by the airlines, but the cost still stayed the same. I learned that this had to do with airlines combining / purchasing flights. So, while my original plan was to be in Indianapolis by 11:30am, it ended up being 4:23pm. If you book a flight during this time, just pay attention to your emails and alerts so you can ensure that you have the right times. Also, I HIGHLY suggest that you have the app for your airline downloaded because it is such a time saver.
Do you have a mask? If not, you better find one because although it is not required IN the airport, it IS required on the plane. To be honest, you might as well just put it on before walking in to the airport, it stops the looks from people. Yes, I know you may hate it, but just suck it up.
Getting through security is easy because the weight is not as long. One of the guys checking id’s did ask me to lower my mask briefly so he could make sure it was me, but he was very friendly about it. Although all of my flights were pretty much full, there are less planes going out so there are not as many people in the airport.
Once you board the plane, they make sure that you are aware that it is required to be on at all times. They do advise that there are some that heave health issues that may prevent it and to please be courteous to them. Technically with my asthma, I probably could have gotten away with not having it on, but it wasn’t worth the fight. My inhaler was tucked in to my bra and if I needed it, that’s when I would let them know what it was doing to me.
I was lucky enough to have a layover in Charlotte (I love that airport which is why I say I was lucky) and I headed straight over to Starbucks. Well, since I can’t eat or drink with a mask on, I had it around my neck. That seemed to be the universal sign for, “Yes, I have a mask” just in case anyone looked at you weird. But, I’ll be honest, probably 75% of people had theirs on and no one looked at me crazy when I didn’t have mine around my face. Then again, I probably looked like a woman in desperate need of caffeine.
What you will notice is that about half of the restaurants are closed and maybe a quarter of the stores. It seemed to be the sit down places or the specialty stores. I was able to find a restaurant back in the corner of Terminal B, and I found out that they had just opened the day before. That being said, if you are hungry or thirsty, you better grab something at the airport because they do not serve food or drinks on the plane these days. This is to help the flight attendants have less contact with people and that is fine with me so I could nap without interruption.
Disembarking the plane, I swear that it went smoother than during normal times! They allow only a few rows at a time and everyone just did as they were told. No one was acting impatient or trying to barge ahead of you, they patiently waited their turn.
So, all in all, it was a pleasant flight experience. My flying partner made the comment about how it stressed him out but here is my thought process… Remember after 9/11 and security was tightened up? I was ok with that if it prevented somebody from killing me. Personally, I can’t control this situation so it’s not going to stress me out. It is what it is right now and you just have to relax and go with the flow. The only downside to it was… When you smile at someone, they can’t see it, so I made sure to say “Thank you” a whole lot more!
