Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Strengthens Requirement Customers Wear Face Coverings on Board
Link to full article
“Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID-19 to protect our team members and customers,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC’s guidance.”
American began requiring face coverings on board its flights in May and, in July, announced it would only allow exemptions for customers under 2 years old. The airline requires all other customers to wear a face covering from the time they enter the airport where their trip begins until they leave the airport where their trip ends.
Based on the updated CDC guidance, below are examples of face coverings customers can and cannot wear while traveling with American.
https://news.aa.com/news/news-detail...es-OPS-DIS-08/
- New policy is effective Wednesday, Aug. 19
- Allowed face coverings must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth, and only can be removed briefly for eating and drinking
- Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics are also not allowed
“Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID-19 to protect our team members and customers,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC’s guidance.”
American began requiring face coverings on board its flights in May and, in July, announced it would only allow exemptions for customers under 2 years old. The airline requires all other customers to wear a face covering from the time they enter the airport where their trip begins until they leave the airport where their trip ends.
Based on the updated CDC guidance, below are examples of face coverings customers can and cannot wear while traveling with American.
https://news.aa.com/news/news-detail...es-OPS-DIS-08/
Allowed:
- A well-secured cloth or mask that fits snugly against the face and covers an individual’s nose and mouth. It must be made of a material that prevents the discharge and release of respiratory droplets from a person's nose or mouth.
Not allowed:
- Face coverings with exhaust valves.
- Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics.
- Face coverings that do not cover the nose and mouth.
- Face shields without the addition of a face covering.
A face covering is required while flying on American, except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one. You also may be required by local law to wear a face covering in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect.
- Please bring your own face covering to use while traveling. While limited quantities of face coverings may be available at the gate, they will not be available for every customer on every flight.
- Be sure your face covering is on before you board the plane and wear it during your flight. If you’re not exempt from wearing a face covering and decline to wear one, you may be denied boarding and future travel on American.
- Your face covering may be removed to eat or drink, but please put it back on when you’re done.
Details of the updated policy for face coverings will be communicated to American Airlines team members this week, and the policy will go into effect June 16. American also requires team members to wear face coverings while at work.[/quote]
PRIOR POLICY as of 1 May 2020
Link to AA News story
Flight Attendants must wear masks as of Friday, May 1, 2020.
Passengers must wear masks as of Monday, May 11.
AA Passenger Facial Cover / Mask Use Policy 2020 (Inc. changes)
#31
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#32
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Here's my best guess. They will have a supply of disposable masks at the ticket counter. If someone shows up without a mask, they will hand one over.
If they run out, then the passenger will not get a boarding pass and will be asked to procure their own mask somehow. I can imagine enterprising home-sewers setting up sidewalk vending for masks, so that passenger can go outside, get a mask, then come back.
Personally, I plan, once I can start flying again, to get four or five homemade cloth masks and take them with me in my carry-on. That way I can switch to a new, fresh mask when I feel it necessary and won't have to rely on the airline-supplied masks. Once at my destination, I can wash out the dirty masks, hang them up to dry overnight and then go on my business.
Where I live, there are plenty of under- and un-employed people making a few bucks selling masks. I have no problems buying masks from them thus helping keep their families afloat.
If they run out, then the passenger will not get a boarding pass and will be asked to procure their own mask somehow. I can imagine enterprising home-sewers setting up sidewalk vending for masks, so that passenger can go outside, get a mask, then come back.
Personally, I plan, once I can start flying again, to get four or five homemade cloth masks and take them with me in my carry-on. That way I can switch to a new, fresh mask when I feel it necessary and won't have to rely on the airline-supplied masks. Once at my destination, I can wash out the dirty masks, hang them up to dry overnight and then go on my business.
Where I live, there are plenty of under- and un-employed people making a few bucks selling masks. I have no problems buying masks from them thus helping keep their families afloat.
#33
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#34
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#35
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#36
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I will add: If I go on a long flight and have several homemade cloth masks with me, I can switch to a fresh one when the one I have starts feeling yecchy, then go in the lav, wash and rinse the first one. It will dry fast in the dry airplane air. I'm also thinking I can offer a fresh mask to a fellow passenger who might need one. It is in MY best interest that passenger seated near me have good, comfortable masks.
#37
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I’m not a physician, but since commercial airliners are only pressurized to the equivalent of 6-8,000 ft altitude, wouldn’t there be a chance of hypoxia with some people, depending on the type of mask? Especially on a longer flight?
#38
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i'm flying soon but i won't be keeping mine on the whole time. guess we can start a new FT thread of passenger shaming "look who isn't wearing a mask" to go with the FT thread of "look at who put their feet on the bulkhead". Who's going to enforce "must remain on in flight"?
#39
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i'm flying soon but i won't be keeping mine on the whole time. guess we can start a new FT thread of passenger shaming "look who isn't wearing a mask" to go with the FT thread of "look at who put their feet on the bulkhead". Who's going to enforce "must remain on in flight"?
#40
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The ACAA says that airline must accommodate persons with disabilities, so long as that accommodation does not impinge on flight safety.
"Hello, my doctor says I can't wear a mask when I fly."
"Then you don't fly."
"Hello, my doctor says I must stand up in the aisle during takeoff and landing."
"Then you don't fly."
#41
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Yeah, this would be very difficult for me. I am constantly drinking something. I have a 16 oz water cup on my desk that I have to fill up at least once an hour. I take a sip every couple of minutes. Not sure what good a mask will do if I am constantly taking it off and on and touching my face while doing so.
#42
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Still wouldn't change how uncomfortable and annoying a mask is for me and fogs up my glasses as well. I tried to wear one not that long ago when doing a sheet rock project. I was miserable & gave up after a couple minutes. I don't expect this policy to last long, so hopefully by the next time I need to fly it wouldn't be an issue for me.
#43
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Still wouldn't change how uncomfortable and annoying a mask is for me and fogs up my glasses as well. I tried to wear one not that long ago when doing a sheet rock project. I was miserable & gave up after a couple minutes. I don't expect this policy to last long, so hopefully by the next time I need to fly it wouldn't be an issue for me.
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Like all other places that require masks, they make an exception for those with medical conditions preventing them from wearing one.
I think AA will follow that CDC guideline.
I think AA will follow that CDC guideline.
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