topic Re: It is safe to fly in Community Chat

It is safe to fly

mintedrose — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:36:31 GMT

Domestically if you absolutely have to?

Re: It is safe to fly

Nightowlz — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:23:46 GMT

I don't fly. Would not get on a plane if you bought my ticket. LOL!!!

Re: It is safe to fly

millieshops — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:32:15 GMT

Just recently I had a conversation with a relative with some medical training as well as some personal health issues which could make him a target for the virus.

I've been trying to figure out the safest way for me eventually to get from Florida to NY even though I know it's kind of frying pan into the fire.

He's incredibly cautious, incredibly disciplined in his behavior in order to protect himself, his family, his employees, his patients. Has been for many years and more so right now.

So - you might be surprised to learn that when I presented him with my options, he suggested so few people are flying now and the airlines are being so careful that flying could be safer now than in ordinary times.

If I decide to fly, it will be on a major airline and I'll want to know their social distancing plan before I buy a ticket.

Re: It is safe to fly

germanshepherdlove — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:39:27 GMT

Many employees pilots, stewardesses, etc have been exhibing symptoms for a long, long time with little help from their HR as to time off with pay and for how long. Just because they are wearing a mask means nothing and I think that industry is one of the scariest right now. Even if I was the only person on the plane!.

Re: It is safe to fly

Bri369 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:46:20 GMT

I cannot imagine flying right now. Besides the social distancing issues, there is all that recirculated air in the plane.

Re: It is safe to fly

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:48:31 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
Just recently I had a conversation with a relative with some medical training as well as some personal health issues which could make him a target for the virus.

I've been trying to figure out the safest way for me eventually to get from Florida to NY even though I know it's kind of frying pan into the fire.

He's incredibly cautious, incredibly disciplined in his behavior in order to protect himself, his family, his employees, his patients. Has been for many years and more so right now.

So - you might be surprised to learn that when I presented him with my options, he suggested so few people are flying now and the airlines are being so careful that flying could be safer now than in ordinary times.

If I decide to fly, it will be on a major airline and I'll want to know their social distancing plan before I buy a ticket.

Unless it was a matter of life and death, would not get on a plane. As well as exposing myself to whatever, potentially exposing others... a no brainer. Self isolating, only out in public to obtain what is necessary (other than walking in my neighborhood). Only you know your own circumstances, reasons.

Re: It is safe to fly

wildcat fan — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:48:56 GMT

I have a friend who flew to Florida a few days ago. He has a house there and travels back and forth throughout the year. I was surprised he was even able to get a ticket. So far so good.

Re: It is safe to fly

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:15:47 GMT

If I absolutely had to, yes I would get on an airplane. But I'm not elderly, ill, immunosuppresed or in any other risk group, so I can only speak for me. I'm also working on my 2nd million "butt-in-seat" miles on DL and am very comfortable with air travel to begin with.

There are people still flying, but most airlines have slashed capacity by about 90% so you may have difficulty actually getting where you're going unless it's hub to hub. Also, inflight service has been greatly reduced in order to give flight attendants additional safety by having less contact with passengers. You might get a bottle of water and a bag of cheese crackers and that's it.

On the upside, there's a good possibllity that it'll be just you, a few other people, along with the flight deck and cabin crews on the aircraft, so you'll be able to spread out and practice social distancing.

Everything in life is a risk. It's up to you to decide if this is one that you want to take. Your call, not posters on an internet message board.

Re: It is safe to fly

hopi — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:03:34 GMT

It appears to be. Planes are carrying 3 people. Agree that flying should be necessary not recreational. My son had 2 flights cancelled because he was the only one that would be on the plane. They rescheduled him and there were 3 on the plane. He wore a mask, gloves and had his body fully covered and a jacket with a hood.

Re: It is safe to fly

homedecor1 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:07:09 GMT

People have been flying my neighbor has a 95 yr old father and she flew back to Idaho because he was in need.

I assume the plane was not that full. They were to return but so far they haven't and that was last week.

Re: It is safe to fly

noodleann — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:16:45 GMT

Just remember that all you're breathing is the air the other people on the plane have exhaled. Unless they'll let you open a window.

Re: It is safe to fly

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:26:10 GMT

@Bri369 wrote:
I cannot imagine flying right now. Besides the social distancing issues, there is all that recirculated air in the plane.

Actually, that air is pretty darned clean. Here's an article that I posted in the travel forum a few weeks ago on that subject. It's written by an airline pilot:

https://www.askthepilot.com/questionanswers/cabin-air-quality/

Note that it says:

"Studies have shown that a crowded airplane is no more germ-laden than other enclosed spaces—and usually less. Those underfloor filters are described by manufacturers as being of hospital quality. I needn’t be reminded that hospitals are notorious viral incubators, but Boeing says that between 94 and 99.9 percent of airborne microbes are captured, and there’s a total changeover of air every two or three minutes — far more frequently than occurs in offices, movie theaters, or classrooms."

I'm not advocating that people should run out and get on airplanes just because the air is clean, but I think it's time for the "airplane air is dirty" line to be put to rest.

Re: It is safe to fly

millieshops — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:29:14 GMT

@BeautyLverI'm well isolated until well into June at least.

I'd been working on plans to make major changes well before any of us had heard about the coronavirus. I'm not thinking even whether the first case was in Africa or in China, the first US case on the east coast or the west.

My planning started well over a year ago and like many well-laid plans, mine is now pretty useless. The discussion I referred to had us brain-storming my current options even though there's so little certainty right now that whatever I plan will be subject to change.

I know I'm not alone - I don't have enough fingers to count the dashed plans among just the members of my extended family. The good news is that all of us are planning for changes for the better and we think we'll be okay.

Re: It is safe to fly

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:40:20 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@BeautyLverI'm well isolated until well into June at least.

I'd been working on plans to make major changes well before any of us had heard about the coronavirus. I'm not thinking even whether the first case was in Africa or in China, the first US case on the east coast or the west.

My planning started well over a year ago and like many well-laid plans, mine is now pretty useless. The discussion I referred to had us brain-storming my current options even though there's so little certainty right now that whatever I plan will be subject to change.

I know I'm not alone - I don't have enough fingers to count the dashed plans among just the members of my extended family. The good news is that all of us are planning for changes for the better and we think we'll be okay.

Yes, my plans have been dashed as well. Most certainly for this year. Which is the case for most.

Re: It is safe to fly

Bri369 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:42:12 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
@Bri369 wrote:
I cannot imagine flying right now. Besides the social distancing issues, there is all that recirculated air in the plane.
Actually, that air is pretty darned clean. Here's an article that I posted in the travel forum a few weeks ago on that subject. It's written by an airline pilot:

https://www.askthepilot.com/questionanswers/cabin-air-quality/

Note that it says:

"Studies have shown that a crowded airplane is no more germ-laden than other enclosed spaces—and usually less. Those underfloor filters are described by manufacturers as being of hospital quality. I needn’t be reminded that hospitals are notorious viral incubators, but Boeing says that between 94 and 99.9 percent of airborne microbes are captured, and there’s a total changeover of air every two or three minutes — far more frequently than occurs in offices, movie theaters, or classrooms."

I'm not advocating that people should run out and get on airplanes just because the air is clean, but I think it's time for the "airplane air is dirty" line to be put to rest.

@FrostyBabe1 Interesting. Thank you so much for that.

Re: It is safe to fly

SusieQ_2 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:48:19 GMT

I read that several airlines are not selling tickets for the middle seats for the time being.

Re: It is safe to fly

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:54:21 GMT

@SusieQ_2 wrote:
I read that several airlines are not selling tickets for the middle seats for the time being.

That is correct. They're blocking the middle seats from being selected on the seat maps, and I've seen that a couple of the majors have announced that they'll be doing that thru 6/30.

Some aircraft have seating configurations in coach with just a pair of seats together, such as 2x3 on the MD80 or B717 series, or 2x4x2 on widebody aircraft. I'm not sure how those are being handled. I'd guess only a couple traveling together, or parent/child, etc would be allowed in the pair of seats. I'd also guess that those are being assigned at the airport or at the gate. It's just a guess though, based on my own experience. I've put all travel on hold until at least 7/1 so I won't be checking it out in the near future.

Re: It is safe to fly

kitcat51 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 22:39:44 GMT

I despise flying but if there was an emergency & my family needed me, my fanny would be on the first flight I could get.

Re: It is safe to fly

Carmie — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:10:41 GMT

I would fly if I needed to...not for vacation, but for something important, yes.

The airline employees are still flying everyday. If they can do it, so can I.

We can't expect others to take a risk for us while we sit safely at home. Millions of people are still working everyday.

Most of the flights only have a few people on board. It is°probably safer to fly now than it ever was.

I will never live my life in fear that causes me to stop living my life to the fullest. I am a realist. I know I am gonna die, I accept that. I don't worry about it. When my time comes, I'll be there.

Re: It is safe to fly

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:22:43 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I would fly if I needed to...not for vacation, but for something important, yes.

The airline employees are still flying everyday. If they can do it, so can I.

We can't expect others to take a risk for us while we sit safely at home. Millions of people are still working everyday.

Most of the flights only have a few people on board. It is°probably safer to fly now than it ever was.

I will never live my life in fear that causes me to stop living my life to the fullest. I am a realist. I know I am gonna die, I accept that. I don't worry about it. When my time comes, I'll be there.

"People" - essential, medical are risking their lives so that we CAN stay at home. We are all doing our part now to try and minimize the devastation. For us, and those that will survive us. If you don't value your own life or those you love, others...there are just no words.