Don't be an idiot - BA denys boarding to unmasked flyers
#17
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 638
It's not clear when the even reported in the OP occurred. BA has in fact changed its mask policy (see below). It appears the new policy was followed for the ATH flight mentioned in the OP:
BA Mask Policy:
"... as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.
Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, as:
For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences."
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...e-onboard-faqs
BA Mask Policy:
"... as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.
Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, as:
- If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to
- If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask to disembark the aircraft, and at your arrival airport, if the destination you are flying to requires it
For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences."
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...e-onboard-faqs
Just find it interesting this has happened after the announcements this week, whereas it doesn't seem to have happened until now, or at least wasn't reported on here. The consequences of poor communication perhaps?
I think it may have been prudent to publish the destination list that won't require masks when this was all announced. I saw a list someone put up on here showing that. Might have removed the likelihood of these incidents.
As it is, a weird incident. I wouldn't have been pleased had I been led to believe no masks were needed and was then told I must wear one. Wouldn't cancel my holiday, probably with no refund, over it though!
Last edited by Bohinjska Bistrica; Mar 18, 22 at 5:42 am

#18
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#19
Join Date: Oct 2017
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I don't understand why some have such a militant attitude to mask-wearing (pro and anti). When given the choice I prefer not to wear one, but if I am asked (or required) to wear one then I do so without hesitation, conflict or challenge. It's a mask, it may feel a little uncomfortable at times but it's not going to kill me, it's not going to change my political views, it's simply a minor inconvenience that allows me to enjoy more freedoms in this covid age.

#20


Join Date: Jul 2008
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Do we really need another mask thread…..?! 
aks120

aks120

#21
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 862
This will be me this evening if they fail to implement their own policy.
Anyway, this doesn't need another topic.

Anyway, this doesn't need another topic.

#22
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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Can't see anything if I'm wearing one. Have to shout to communicate with other people, and vice versa. Can't see people's facial expressions. Can't see who's talking in social situations. Those are just a few of my reasons. But if you'd actually like to understand more about why some people are so opposed to masks, I recommend this article by Psychiatrist Robert Freudenthal.
For me, the knowledge that different people react differently to stimuli is sufficient and I try to live my life with that little bit of knowledge to apply to situations that may crop up. I don't have any knowledge, or indeed generally any interest in why people react in different ways.
Despite my usual approach to these things (!), I have just read the article and found it very interesting, not judgemental or self-indulgent in any way, although I don't subscribe to the view that by doing something I then fall into any group or a societal relationship. For me, I don't think that deeply! Thanks for the link though.

#23
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 5,678
I don't understand why some have such a militant attitude to mask-wearing (pro and anti). When given the choice I prefer not to wear one, but if I am asked (or required) to wear one then I do so without hesitation, conflict or challenge. It's a mask, it may feel a little uncomfortable at times but it's not going to kill me, it's not going to change my political views, it's simply a minor inconvenience that allows me to enjoy more freedoms in this covid age.

#24
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 577
Can't see anything if I'm wearing one. Have to shout to communicate with other people, and vice versa. Can't see people's facial expressions. Can't see who's talking in social situations. Those are just a few of my reasons. But if you'd actually like to understand more about why some people are so opposed to masks, I recommend this article by Psychiatrist Robert Freudenthal.
"The motive force of the Brownstone Institute is the global crisis created by policy responses to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. That trauma revealed a fundamental misunderstanding alive in all countries around the world today, a willingness on the part of the public and officials to forego freedom and fundamental human rights in the name of a public health crisis. The consequences were devastating and will live in infamy."

#25
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Can't see anything if I'm wearing one. Have to shout to communicate with other people, and vice versa. Can't see people's facial expressions. Can't see who's talking in social situations. Those are just a few of my reasons. But if you'd actually like to understand more about why some people are so opposed to masks, I recommend this article by Psychiatrist Robert Freudenthal.
Pro or anti Is this really worth getting all worked up over?

#27
Suspended
Original Poster


Join Date: Jul 2020
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Both of you should visit Heathrow this weekend and board a BA plane without a mask if you're asinine enough to question if this happened. Vlog your findings and post here while you're in denial of this.
Pro-maskers/flyers who are complying with rules have this attitude because these anti-maskers/"you liimit my freedom by requiring me to wear a mask" people delay flights because of their irresponsible actions to simply wear a mask. Dont have sympathy for these types of flyers - seeing several of them in this thread already when they know they have to comply with BA at the end of the day 😂😂
Reading that article posted by a psychiatrist from the Brownstone institute (fake news/anti vax/anti science mill) is comparable to receiving your daily news from a journalist with the Daily Mail/The Mirror/The Sun.
Pro-maskers/flyers who are complying with rules have this attitude because these anti-maskers/"you liimit my freedom by requiring me to wear a mask" people delay flights because of their irresponsible actions to simply wear a mask. Dont have sympathy for these types of flyers - seeing several of them in this thread already when they know they have to comply with BA at the end of the day 😂😂
I don't understand why some have such a militant attitude to mask-wearing (pro and anti). When given the choice I prefer not to wear one, but if I am asked (or required) to wear one then I do so without hesitation, conflict or challenge. It's a mask, it may feel a little uncomfortable at times but it's not going to kill me, it's not going to change my political views, it's simply a minor inconvenience that allows me to enjoy more freedoms in this covid age.
, I recommend this article by Psychiatrist

#28
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 547
Can't see anything if I'm wearing one. Have to shout to communicate with other people, and vice versa. Can't see people's facial expressions. Can't see who's talking in social situations. Those are just a few of my reasons. But if you'd actually like to understand more about why some people are so opposed to masks, I recommend this article by Psychiatrist Robert Freudenthal.
A flight is not really a social situation, and if it helps keep others health, you not being able to have a natter for a few hours is hardly more important than others physical health.
And re your article - its a shame that some psychiatrists become so detached from actual physical medicine that they will have originally trained in (although most of them are slightly cuckoo themselves imho). The fact is that airborne particles are reduced by masks (especially the more robust ones). Evidence might be 'weak' because there are a large number of co-variables to infection (including as noted poverty and health inequality). However basic physics (you know, like the rules that keep our aircraft flying) says that masks will reduce infection by some level as they will stop or greatly reduce the throw of particles. I really don't see why I should be 'open to different perspectives' when those perspectives put me at greater risk of getting ill (and ruining my trip, be it leisure or work, or worse ending up a in government facility), or coming home ill and infecting vulnerable family members....
Put it another aviation analogy- the chances of ditching in sea in an aircraft are very rare. If it happens, there is a high risk that the aircraft will break up on contact with the surface. If it survives, and people get out, there is also a chance they will be vulnerable to freezing waters. You could therefore say that having a lifejacket is irrelevant, as the chances are the aircraft won't crash, or if it does will break up on impact, or people will succumb to cold water. However I'm sure many people would still feel uncomfortable on an overwater flight knowing they did not have a life jacket available. The lifejacket is one part of the 'swiss cheese' to minimise risk. Just like wearing a mask is.

#29
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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So out of curiosity, i followed this link to see what the article was about... and its from the "brownstone institute" which is an anti vax and anti masking organisation so i wouldnt take anything they said seriously.
"The motive force of the Brownstone Institute is the global crisis created by policy responses to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. That trauma revealed a fundamental misunderstanding alive in all countries around the world today, a willingness on the part of the public and officials to forego freedom and fundamental human rights in the name of a public health crisis. The consequences were devastating and will live in infamy."
"The motive force of the Brownstone Institute is the global crisis created by policy responses to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. That trauma revealed a fundamental misunderstanding alive in all countries around the world today, a willingness on the part of the public and officials to forego freedom and fundamental human rights in the name of a public health crisis. The consequences were devastating and will live in infamy."

#30
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,661
Not really. It began when governments and airports started removing the mask requirement. I had several mask-refusers on an OTP-LHR last week and even some on an EDI-LHR on Sunday, although they all eventually backed down so that we could depart.
