Originally Posted by jsloan (Post 32336588)

Correct.


It's nothing but theater. The airlines cannot stay in business allocating 28 square feet* of airplane to every passenger. They're reticent to admit this in the current environment, so they're taking these measures as a marketing step. The only way to fly whilst adhering to the CDC distancing guidelines is private.

* 3 feet ✖️ πr²

Originally Posted by bluedemon211 (Post 32336610)

Thanks jsloan, that was my feeling as well. UA needs every $ of revenue they can get right now, so they are not going to turn away a sale in the name of social distancing.

Originally Posted by Dyce (Post 32337258)

2 things here... United have drastically cut future capacity (May-June) based on current demand. This has resulted in:

1) prices going up - cash or miles
2) loads going up

for example, I’ve continued flying IAH-CMH-IAH during the past few weeks. This route is/was a direct flight 3+ times a day

initially flights were cancelling left, right and center and the flights that did operate had ~10-pax (normally served by a 175)

Eventually we were down to 1 flight most days with 17 passengers on my flight IAH-CMH on Monday.

For my next flight in May there are no direct flights and I’ve been routed through ORD with much higher load on the ORD-IAH flight

this is resulting / will result in less social distancing on planes where several ppl (of the 17 passengers on Monday I counted 5 without masks including a non rev pilot in FC) will have zero common courtesy & respect for others and not wear a face mask...

So, I’m going to start driving it... 17 hours in the car isn’t fun, but at less than $100 each way for gas, and no risk from being in a Petri dish plane of ~75% capacity, to me it’s a better choice.

i think ppl will start freaking out when the flights are over 50% full again (how comfortable would you be sitting next to someone without a mask occasionally coughing for 2 hours?).

i don’t blame the airlines for matching supply to demand, but I think the net result is eventually going to be detrimental to getting ppl flying again this summer.

i predict a LOT of ppl will resort to traditional family road trip vacations to visit relatives in other parts of the country this summer...

Originally Posted by AirbusFan2B (Post 32337300)

With wear and tear on the car, may be closer to $1,000 cost per trip. Depending on duration, a rental car may be better value.

I think we’ll soon have antibody tests. UA requiring masks now, I believe?

Originally Posted by bluedemon211 (Post 32336573)

With the drastic reduction in capacity (in many cases only 1 non-stop between cities where there used to be as many as 5-6) the odds are those seats will be needed.

Originally Posted by jsloan (Post 32336588)

It's nothing but theater. The airlines cannot stay in business allocating 28 square feet* of airplane to every passenger.

Originally Posted by jsloan (Post 32336638)

Even a blocked middle seat is only about 20" of space from the nearest passenger. To meet CDC guidelines, UA would need to block nearly 90% of their narrowbody inventory -- basically, you could put two people every three rows, although you might need to stagger them on the 76-seaters.

Originally Posted by goalie (Post 32339440)

Bolding mine: That’s assuming there is a meal ;)

Originally Posted by Weatherboy (Post 32339511)

United requires passengers wear masks effective May 4.

They haven't suggested food stops then.

Originally Posted by jsloan (Post 32339596)

Well, it's gone from unthinkable to inevitable to announced: https://hub.united.com/united-corona...ght-attendants



Among US carriers, B6 started this, F9 followed, and UA, AA, and DL all appear to have followed suit today. No end date is listed.

Presented without further comment in an effort to avoid going OMNI.

Originally Posted by zombietooth (Post 32339645)

I wear N95s whenever I appear in public now, not for my benefit, but to make others feel better. In my line of work, I am used to working in various kinds of respirators, so it's no big deal to me. I understand that if you are not used to them it can be disconcerting, but it is what it is and you are going to have to knuckle under if you want to fly.

Originally Posted by zombietooth (Post 32339645)

I wear N95s whenever I appear in public now, not for my benefit, but to make others feel better.

Originally Posted by Jerseyguy (Post 32339830)

Are N95s advisable for long periods such as flights? I am high risk and I certainly want to be safe but there are reports that a guy passed out after wearing one for awhile while driving.
https://nypost.com/2020/04/24/driver...ring-n95-mask/

Originally Posted by Ari (Post 32340010)

An N95 isn't required for that; any mask will do. The N95 protects you (in design).