Even being couped up for 12 or so weeks, didn’t make me want to travel. We cancelled our international trip and works trips are cancelled through the end of this year.
Which is why I am surprised I am sitting at the airport. I am not ready for this, but when a loved one passes away from a non-Covid related reason, how can I not go and say my final good-byes? It probably took me three hours to convince myself going was the right decision. I would have regretted it if I didn’t.
I called southwest airlines because I couldn’t find my travel funds from a previous cancelled flight. The representative helped me and I was surprised to hear travel funds were extended until 2022 (I shouldn’t have been surprised, no doubt I got an email). Since I was chatting with her, I asked about precautions and cleaning. She informed me they were still not filling middle seats and each plane gets a big clean at night on top of whatever they do between flights. However, she did say it would be wise to bring some sanitizer and Clorox wipes for peace of mind.
Still anxious about flying right now, I also asked if she would tell me how many seats were booked on the two flights I was debating purchasing. While they don’t do specifics she did tell me the first was almost sold out minus the middle seats, and the second was about a quarter full. That really helped me thinking how many people would be buying a ticket less than 24 hours in advance?
When I arrived at the airport at 4 pm on a weekday, east security was empty. I have Clear, but instead I went right to TSA pre check and got through in seconds. The screening area was also empty, no problems and just two people came up behind me leaving distance.
The lady at screening mentioned that not all airlines were abiding by the leaving empty seats, and indeed later over the PA I heard several flights saying they were full.
The train to the terminal was also near empty with people leaving distance and wearing masks. Once I got to the gate area there were definitely people, but visibly thinner crowds. I intentionally found a seat with a good distance from anyone else.
My first stop was filling my water bottle and using the bathroom to wash my hands. I wasn’t sure if all restaurants would be open with less travelers so I packed my own dinner, but yes most looked open.
Southwest is also boarding in groups of 10, allowing plenty of distance between me and strangers. My boarding with those 9 other people were not lined up in numerical order but more waiting wherever. Turns out my flight had 75-85 people. I happened to sit alone in my row and I wiped down my area with a Clorox wipe. southwest came around to pick up that wipe to not damage the seat back pockets.
The hardest part is the mask and keeping it on for so long without feeling stuffy and hot. I wore it the full time in the airport, about 65 minutes plus most of the plane ride, except of course when I ate and drank, and until I got into the car in the other side, about 6 hours. During my flight the attendant got on the PA system about 7 times telling/reminding people that anyone over 2 had to wear the mask the full time of the flight.
I am glad my first flight and airport experience went well. Initially I wasn’t sure about my return flight, but no doubt once I see people and my isolation essentially over, even if my return experience has more people I will be a little more mentally prepared. Also I have now tried three types of masks, and feel like for long periods of time, the mask with the bigger area near the nose and mouth (as opposed to the flat rectangle) are more comfortable for longer hours.
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