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Gary Kelly Rejects Virus Testing Domestic Travelers

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Gary Kelly Rejects Virus Testing Domestic Travelers

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Old Jan 28, 2021, 3:05 pm
  #1  
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Gary Kelly Rejects Virus Testing Domestic Travelers

No COVID-19 testing of domestic air travelers.

“Why pick on air travel? If you want to test people ... test them before they go to the grocery store, test them before they go to a restaurant.”
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly wants the focus on vaccinating people faster. He said vaccine availability “should mark the beginning of the end of this pandemic” even if current passenger bookings aren’t showing it.

AP
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 7:14 am
  #2  
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Agree.

It seems like a good idea to consider. Now that we considered it, not so good.

Imagine the "black market" for fake test results. LOL!
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 9:41 am
  #3  
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What happened to all of the studies that United did showing the chances of the virus being spread on a commercial aircraft were essentially non existent?
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 10:45 am
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Originally Posted by ATLflyer2017
What happened to all of the studies that United did showing the chances of the virus being spread on a commercial aircraft were essentially non existent?
A dose of reality appeared in 2021. If you are close to someone who is carrying the virus, you are at risk, whether you are on an aircraft, in a restaurant, or elsewhere. Manage the risk accordingly... wear a good mask, keep it on while you are on the plane and in the airport, and you should be OK.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 11:27 am
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Originally Posted by screeton
A dose of reality appeared in 2021. If you are close to someone who is carrying the virus, you are at risk, whether you are on an aircraft, in a restaurant, or elsewhere. Manage the risk accordingly... wear a good mask, keep it on while you are on the plane and in the airport, and you should be OK.
One wild card is de-icing. No vents open, air circulation reduced 50%. Procedure lasts maybe 10-20 minutes. Boeing claims air is exchanged every 3 to 6 minutes during deicing instead of every 2 to 3.

The WSJ reports flight attendant unions say FAs have tested positive at the same or lower rate
s as airline employees who work on the ground.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 12:36 pm
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Originally Posted by ATLflyer2017
What happened to all of the studies that United did showing the chances of the virus being spread on a commercial aircraft were essentially non existent?
Thus is not about exposure during flight, this is about people bringing mutated variants to new communities, like in the beginning of the pandemic.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 1:04 pm
  #7  
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Thank you Gary Kelly, completely agree.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 2:36 pm
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He seems just fine with it for WN's Hawaii services.

Going to look a little silly objecting when it's some other route.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 3:12 pm
  #9  
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He's not wrong.

Highly arbitrary air travel is being singled out here.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 3:37 pm
  #10  
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It should not be. Long distance train and bus service ought to be subject to the same requirements. But, that is not a reason not to require testing for air travel, particularly for those originating in high infection rate areas.
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Old Jan 29, 2021, 10:39 pm
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Originally Posted by Repooc17
He's not wrong.

Highly arbitrary air travel is being singled out here.
Drop airfare and pax movement on a map gets reduced by huge amounts
How many people would go to the effort to drive, take a train, or take a bus... for a weekend trip from LAX to PIT? 2 days from HOU-MEX? or hops SAN-LAS-BOS with a a 40 minute stop in MDW where aren't allowed to deplane

​​​​​​

Last edited by expert7700; Jan 29, 2021 at 10:47 pm
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Old Jan 30, 2021, 10:21 pm
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Often1
He seems just fine with it for WN's Hawaii services.

Going to look a little silly objecting when it's some other route.
Seems rather obvious really.

Hawaii flights follow state mandated requirement and they are the only entry point into state with relatively minor covid burden.

Mainland flights represent a fraction of overall travel most of which is done by car. Blocking spread of new strains would require shutting down automotive travel first and foremost.
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Old Feb 1, 2021, 6:07 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by ATLflyer2017
What happened to all of the studies that United did showing the chances of the virus being spread on a commercial aircraft were essentially non existent?
Maybe it’s not about spreading the Virus to others on the flight but preventing the spread geographically?
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Old Feb 3, 2021, 2:27 pm
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Originally Posted by TomMM
Maybe it’s not about spreading the Virus to others on the flight but preventing the spread geographically?
Preventing the spread where geographically? The virus is everywhere in this country.
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