I arrived in the US from overseas a few days ago and was surprised that the flight was almost full. When I made this journey in August 2020, there were only about 50 people on a flight that could probably take 400 passengers.
I would have thought that most of the people on the flight were Americans going back to visit family/friends, but when I went through passport control I noticed that about half the passengers got in the line for Non-US Citizens.
You had to show proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of departure and wear a mask for the duration of the flight - 12 hours. Not bad at all - I slept for at least 8 hours
I bought an extra (middle) seat in addition to my daughter’s window seat for her flight to visit and then back home. Haven’t seen her since Dec. 2019. This cost a lot of money and was a tough decision. I can still cancel it but probably won’t. Has anyone else bought an extra seat for distancing on a plane?
no, and I would not think to do so. Especially if your daughter is vaccinated and she is going to be wearing a mask. Also in looking at the cases in the US, they are dropping rapidly. Now if this was still in Dec-Mar, I would have considered it.
I would agree with you for myself and my family, but I believe compmom’s D has medical issues and is high risk. I might consider it then. I really don’t know. It would probably depend on the length of the flight and the anxiety level of my kid.
It’s a 6 hour flight. Yes she has medical issues. I guess we were thinking she could be seated next to someone with a variant. She is also concerned about transmitting anything to me. I also have medical issues.
No, I wouldn’t pay for the extra seat. I mean, she could just as easily be seated 30 inches away from someone who is sick with a variant and I would think the exposure over six hours is probably negligibly different. Instead, I would be sure to mask up with a good N-95 + surgical for the flight.
I think any thing that you want to do to get your daughter to see you is good with me.
I am not dealing with the medical issues that you and your daughter have. I can feel any way I want, but so do you.
I personally think that it’s as safe as it will ever be for your daughter to visit you now. If it helps your peace of mind, then it’s helpful to purchase that extra seat.
The important part is for both of you to be together.
The National Parks were full last year because locals were going as there was nothing else open, nothing else to do so why not drive 1-2 hours. Our state parks were also packed and a lot of damage was done to the trails and wilderness because of trash, walking off trails, poop (yes, poop) left near trails. They limit parking and passes.
My daughter climbs the 14ers and the parking lots were full at 5:30 am! She came down one by 9:30 and said there was a 2 mile line of cars outside the parking lot for those who slept in till 6 or, gasp, 6:30.
Foreign visitors from countries that require visas will be very limited. There was an article in Sunday’s paper that the embassys and consulates are months behind in processing not only visas but passport renewals for US citizens and birth certificates for babies born to US citizens overseas. There is a black market to appointment times. I think students trying to get visas for next year will be delayed.
She doesn’t have an N95 but will wear a face shield. I saw study that said the empty center seat reduced risk 57%. At any rate, I just talked to her and she said she cannot imagine sitting right next to someone. Her feeling of security is important to me, so I’m keeping the seats! We all have to honor each others’ pace of emergence from isolation, and I am honoring hers. And to be honest I like this too in terms of what she brings to me and her elderly grandmother.
If it reduces the risk that much it is totally worth it. And even if it doesn’t she will have such a nicer flight! I hope you all have a wonderful visit, you have waited so long.
Yellowstone and most national parks will be packed. We had originally planned to do a Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier trip this summer but none of them had sufficient non-camping accommodations to make it work. Will plan well in advance next time. Going to the Caribbean instead now.
Just a thought: check the business class section. Many of those cabins have single seats (usually the window) or have a divider if next to each other. It may be cheaper or similar cost (and certainly just as safe and more comfortable) as the two seats in main cabin. Plus less passengers in biz.
Thanks for the suggestion! But $1400 for one seat business versus $600 for two economy on the airline we use. Maybe I should have checked other airlines!
I agree that this year’s travel is likely to be insanely crowded and expensive in many places. I found that out when looking for our anniversary trip and reading reports, plus middle son’s GF usually goes to the Adirondacks fishing every year with her dad. This year there are already no openings anywhere where they usually go or any places within an hour or two of it.
I’m glad we opted for our train trip - mainly seeing some of the scenic the US via rails, in our own roomette if we want to be. I’m also hoping our going to the St Lawrence River later this month will beat the travel season - time will tell.
As far as I know, the federal mask mandate for airlines has not been lifted. So these airlines (if they are US carriers) are in violation. Can you name the airlines you are talking about? It would be good to know which ones to avoid, because if they are cutting corners in one place, they are more likely to do so all over the board.
Currently on a flight . No more empty middle seats on Delta and full. I pulled out my Sonovia mask again. I have 4 flights in 4 days. Moving out S19 and graduation of D17
