Tag: travel during Coronavirus

Flying During the Coronavirus Pandemic…

by Heather Anne • June 23, 2020

Tampa International Airport 2 Hours Before Flight

Safety of flying during the pandemic…

Flying during the Coronavirus pandemic is a risky proposition. Seriously, the United States Government needs to send a message to airlines. “No stimulus money unless you reduce capacity on planes during the COVID-19 pandemic.” (And they should specify that capacity limit.) Without that incentive, they’re not doing it. This is despite the fact that getting on a plane is one of the most dangerous things you can do right now in the context of coronavirus.

Here’s how flying during the pandemic went…

I got on a plane during the Coronavirus pandemic. It was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. I would have felt safer taking ANY other method of transportation on my journey from Tampa to Toronto. In fact, I’ve been questioning why flights weren’t grounded at the outset of the outbreak of COVID-19. Let’s face it: people are packed in like sardines in a can on a plane. I can’t think of any situation where social distancing is more impossible than on a plane. I was in a must-travel situation: to be reunited with my husband. Prime Minister Trudeau finally exempted spouses and children from the border closure.

No other options besides flying during the pandemic…

My first choice would have been a road trip, but, alas, my car was stranded in Canada. So that was an impossibility. I considered taking the train, but Amtrak is not currently crossing the border. My only train option to get across would be a train to Buffalo and walking across the Peace Bridge. And there would have been a transfer in the New York City epicenter. I’d also heard the land border closure was more challenging to traverse than coming in through the airport. So I did something I never thought I’d agree to do and booked a flight. Prices were lower than usual – an indicator of low demand…? I would soon find out.

Tampa International Airport 1 Hour Before Flight

The airport was empty… temporarily…

When I first arrived at the airport in Tampa security was a breeze. I didn’t need to wait in line at all. But Tampa is one of the better airports in that regard with or without a pandemic in progress. When I got to the gate, very early, there was no one there. The seating was staggered with social distancing signs. Masks were not required, and only a handful of people were wearing them. Social distancing was easy.

The crowds picked up as the morning progressed…

About an hour before the flight more passengers began showing up, and right before boarding it was standing room only at the gate. This was concerning… how full was this flight…? I had multiple notifications on my phone from the airline, urging me to reschedule my “busy” flight. They were even offering future flight credit if I switched…

My Packed Flight Tampa to Charlotte

Reduced capacity flying during the pandemic?

I flew on American Airlines, which claimed to be reducing capacity by only filling 50% of the middle seats. This is interesting, because according to the airline’s app this flight had a waiting list. Once onboard I realized the plane was filled to 100% capacity. Luckily, I had managed to pre-reserve a window seat, which, according to doctors, is the safest seat on flights right now to protect yourself against COVID-19. I was appalled that the airline had no qualms about filling every seat on the plane at this time.

The on-board experience

Masks were required on the flight, and there was no beverage or food service. I’d had no warning from the airline that such services would not be available. I felt like cattle being shuttled from “point a” to “point b” on this flight – flight attendants were scarce and customer service was greatly reduced. I was flying to Charlotte because it is a hub for American Airlines, and would be transferring to another flight to Toronto there. Apparently a lot of other people were also catching transfer flights in Charlotte or flying there for other reasons.

Rainy Day in Charlotte from Plane

Transfer airport… very crowded…

It was a rainy day but I had a nice view of Charlotte from the plane. The airport was very crowded – so much so that even though I hate wearing a mask and they weren’t required, I was tempted to keep it on. Social distancing was very difficult. About a third of the people in the airport were wearing a mask. I was very uncomfortable with the crowds given the circumstances. I proceeded to the gate for Toronto and was presented a form to fill out for Canadian customs and asked about my reason for travel by the staff. This was due to the border closure. After another passenger argued with airline staff about why he was an “essential traveler” and they warned him he may be sent back at the Canadian border, I was cleared and good to board since my husband is a Canadian citizen.

Busy Charlotte Airport

Second flight… more breathing room…

The flight to Toronto was less full – at my guess about 75% full. I felt a lot more comfortable. It was enough to have to worry about the more stringent customs I would be facing at the Canadian border. I also had to worry about being crammed into a tightly packed plane in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic?! Again, masks were required on the flight and no beverage or food service was offered. I had purchased some over-priced snacks at the airport. While I had some appetite, the excuse to take the mask off for a few minutes and catch my breath on the plane was the more pressing reason for this shopping stop.

Toronto airport and customs

Masks were required everywhere at the Toronto airport. I was not used to such an involved customs and immigration experience, and I cross the border regularly. I had to fill out a declaration form at a kiosk, as usual. Then I was given quarantine information by two agents, and had to present evidence of my reasons for coming to Canada and quarantine plan to two more agents. Usually I only need to talk to one agent, and don’t need documentary evidence other than my passport.

If the flight wasn’t fun enough… quarantine!

Canada requires a 14 day quarantine for anyone, citizens or not, coming into the country. I didn’t view this as a big deal considering Canada had barely entered Phase 2 of coming out of lockdown restrictions, and there weren’t many places to go anyway. More importantly, I was just happy to be reuniting with my husband. It was a hectic day, and I’d set my cellphone down at one of the kiosks… I have never been happier to have the “locate my phone” app. Thanks to the app, border agents were able and willing to help me locate my phone after my initial panic. I’m very grateful for their consideration and help in that situation. I rarely misplace my phone… but I’m not surprised it happened this time given all of the stress and distractions!

Flying during a pandemic… and surviving!

Happily, I made it into Canada and have survived the two weeks of my quarantine, and miraculously I seem to have not gotten sick on the plane – or in the airport. Still – airlines need to be held more accountable for the safety of passengers during this health crisis. The complete disregard of passenger health was truly appalling. Would you fly right now? How do you feel about how the airlines are handling capacity during the pandemic? Please leave your comments!

Want tips on getting a great airline seat? I had an earlier post on the topic here:

Landing a Great Airline Seat for Takeoff! How to Get the Best Seats for your Flight

Please visit my YouTube channel for ALL travel, ALL the time!:

Ultimate Travel Adventures on YouTube!

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Lifestyle

Necessary Travel in a time of COVID-19

by Heather Anne • June 9, 2020

Airline Passengers in an International Airport

At long last, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he will finally exempt spouses, children, and parents of citizens and permanent residents from the COVID-19 border closure with the U.S. Since my husband is Canadian and in Ontario right now, and I’m American and in Florida right now, this is news we have been anticipating in agonizing fashion. Immediate family is no longer “non-essential,” (note to government officials – THEY NEVER WERE.) So now that I have necessary travel to embark on the question is, in this time of Coronoavirus, how can I traverse across a continent safely? My car is stranded in Canada, so a road trip, which would be my first, and the safest choice, is not an option. One bit of good news is that ALL of the below options have ramped up deep cleaning measures on their modes of transportation.

Option 1: Air Travel

Air travel is the type of travel I’m most leery of right now from a health standpoint. Airlines originally promised to leave middle seats empty, but have proceeded to fill those seats and pack the limited number of planes they have running as full as possible to help recoup their losses – despite the danger they’re placing on their customers. I’ve never been one for flying, unless I was crossing an ocean and had no choice. Being crammed in a tightly cramped space with random strangers, some of whose behavior and hygiene left something to be desired, and dealing with endless lines at security checkpoints, was never my idea of a “good time.” And now, with the news being inundated with reminders of social distancing, staying six feet apart, and even laws requiring the aforementioned, it has made me wonder for a while now why airports are not closed all together. It is the single type of business still open where it is literally impossible to social distance. Do I really want to place serious risk on my health, and that of my husband, getting on a plane? Or risk denial of entry into the country because I’m “showing symptoms?” According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.” (cdc.gov) Airlines scoff at the idea that it isn’t safe – but it doesn’t take a PhD in rocket science to see the risk factors. Masks are required, but if people are allowed to take them off during food and beverage service, what’s the point?

PROS: Air is well ventilated and circulated. Travel between destinations is fast, reducing your exposure time-wise. The only option (besides car) that is currently crossing the U.S./Canada border.

CONS: Extremely close quarters, zero control over social distancing for the passenger, zero control over what other passengers are in near proximity (if you’re seated next to someone coughing, you’re out of luck!) Least amount of personal space and freedom to move about. The aggravation of dealing with airport security checkpoints.

Electric passenger train drives at high speed among urban landscape.

Bullet Train

Option 2: Train Travel

I have another option – train travel on Amtrak. Although Amtrak has temporarily halted service to routes crossing the Canadian border due to the limited categories of people currently allowed passage, I could take the train to Buffalo, New York and cross the Peace Bridge on foot, where my husband would be waiting on the Canadian side in his car. (Service to Niagara Falls, with a shorter pedestrian bridge, is also suspended.) On a train, you have the most freedom to move around. Even if you’re seated near people in the main cabin, you can try to find a better spot in the Observation Lounge, or head for the cafe or restaurant. And even if you remain in your seat, your “personal space” is greater than on a plane or bus. You also avoid standing in potentially crowded security checkpoints. Masks, again, are required – but, again, people are allowed to take them off while eating and drinking. The downside? LONG travel times. According to Google Directions, my train trip from Tampa Bay to Buffalo would take two days, as compared with a couple of hours on a plane. The route would require going up the Eastern Seaboard rather than a more direct route. And the layover point is in the COVID-19 epicenter: New York City. While a train ticket would be cheaper than an airline ticket, I would expect to be exhausted upon arriving in Buffalo – and would definitely reserve a hotel room for that point in the trip. This would jack the cost up beyond the cost of an airline ticket.

PROS: More room in your seat. The freedom to move around, and go to a completely different area if you find yourself near someone you consider a health risk (or annoyance!) Avoiding long lines at customs security checkpoints potentially with no social distancing measures. Most appealing option for my work as a blogger and YouTube creator.

CONS: Increased potential exposure due to long travel times. Long travel time to arrive at destination. No ability to cross the border by train. Short layover in the Coronavirus epicenter.

Greyhound Bus

Option 3: Bus Travel

Greyhound Bus has also suspended travel across the border, so just like in the aforementioned train option it would be necessary to ride to Buffalo and traverse the Peace Bridge on foot. Greyhound is “encouraging” physical distancing on the bus, and requiring masks (again, while not eating or drinking…) But of all of these options, the bus is the most likely to experience delays, and long layovers, which they are notorious for. The bus takes a more direct route than the train, because there are many more interstates in the U.S. than train tracks. But there are other potential risks in taking the bus. The low cost of the bus can attract some individuals who may pose a threat to you or your belongings, and many bus stations are in more dangerous neighborhoods of town – a place you can be stuck for hours waiting on a late transfer. You do have more room than on the plane, but less room than on a train. It does not have the freedom to get up and move to a different area that the train offers. As with the train option, I would most likely get a hotel for the night upon arrival in Buffalo.

PROS: Lowest cost (besides car travel), more personal space than on a plane. Avoidance of airport security checkpoint lines.

CONS: Less freedom of movement than on the train, long travel times. Other potential hazards unrelated to health.

Conclusion

I was hoping that by the time I reached the conclusion, I would have made up my own mind! Alas, I have not. I am leaning in favor of train or plane, because the bus’ biggest advantage is price and that isn’t my highest priority right now. And while all three options involve a customs security checkpoint for crossing the border, the land crossing is likely to be far less congested, since very few people are allowed to cross, and there’s only one, compared with two at the airports. I plan to buy a ticket on one of the above five days from the date of this post – please leave your comments with suggestions below! What would you do? How has your experience been on these different modes of transportation? Remember, my car is stranded in Canada and “road trip” is not an option. Obviously, that would be the most convenient and safest way to travel, with unlimited personal space, total social distancing, and the ability to cross the border. Thanks for your suggestions!