ethernal

Ironically there are ways to create contact tracing applications that do a better job of respecting information and data privacy than your average cell phone app. Users have a right to be outraged at requiring an application to view a PNG image.

Adam1222

Imagine thinking *this* is what people "have a right to be outraged" about now.

pfreet

The fact they just tested positive does not mean they recently contracted the virus or were contagious on the flight. PCR tests show the presence of the virus for weeks after first contracting it. Since we cannot know who does or does not have it, if you're concerned, assume everyone does and take precautions.

Often1

The whole point is not to worry about what might possibly may have happened. Rather, it is all about reducing risk. The risk here is significantly higher and hence the need to track people down. The passengers on the flight are the easiest part of this, DL has contact info for them, the passengers can be tested over a period of weeks and hopefully all come out negative. Not so easy for those at the coffee counter near the gate.

vinnmann

I agree, but reporting news is not as important as getting clicks. The headline is the most important part of a news story from a financial perspective.

nrr

What about people with NO cellphones (these are not a requirement for traveling) or those who have "plain Jane" [=non intelligent] CPs.

Adam1222

There is no change in that situation. The "outrage" is people who want to access the boarding pass on their phone via web browser as opposed to the app. Paper boarding passes remain available, as is clear if you read the thread that people linked to in raising this unrelated issue.

MSPeconomist

This thread is interesting as a DM phone agent last week claimed that there have been no cases of COVID-19 infections spreading on any DL flight.

Yellowjj

Considering we never heard anything more of this story, the agent may indeed be right.

DenverBrian

Maybe it did. Maybe there would have been a dozen cases if they were packed to the gills like UA/AA.

cmd320

I don't think we've seen anything to suggest spread is a common occurrence on any aircraft at this point, nor have I seen anything to suggest spread is any more common on AA or UA than DL.

jmastron

Well the IATA claims that there have only been 44 cases of transmission on airplanes *worldwide* *since the start of the pandemic* and they divide that obviously absurd number by 1.2 billion passengers to get the "1 in 27 million chance" that keeps getting spread around. The airline industry has a huge incentive to say "golly gee, sorry you got sick but I'm sure it wasn't from us!", and the delayed incubation gives them plausible deniability to do so. There's a report on Alaska from someone who tested positive a couple days after a flight with a family in the next row coughing on him, and he knows they're not seriously doing contract tracing after he let the airline know because his partner on a separate reservation with a different name never got a call. So yeah...

DenverBrian

I have, however, seen plenty to suggest that spread is less common when there are fewer people around you, in any setting. <shrugs>

GagaPilot

Then don't fly. Simple. Stay at home and the rest of us will keep living our lives.

Covid is no more likely to spread on DL/AA/UA/WN/AS or any carrier. The seat blocking is a placebo effect and nothing more. If you are high risk, then consider whether you need to travel. For the average traveler, planes are probably the cleanest they have been in years.

DenverBrian

I'm living my life fine. I'm making a personal decision to fly DL over UA/AA right now because of middle seat blocking. Unsure why it bothers you to the extent that you have to respond with snark. <shrugs>