Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Debating the value of masks is not appropriate for the UA forum -- we will discuss the UA requirements, enforcement and/or compliance. The value of masks is not UA specific issue (and not airline industry-specific either) and is best discussed elsewhere in a more universal format
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
UA COVID19 precautions: **REQUIRING** mask usage per CDC/DoT
#826
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,198
Yeah, they were even announcing the “between bites and sips” ridiculousness over the PA in the IAD clubs last week. As an aside, I find it totally insane. They weren’t enforcing or even mentioning that on early COVID flights, but to pretend it does anything more than make eating or drinking a frustrating dance is ridiculous. I thought most FAs were reasonable about it, but you really had one who expected everyone to do the “bites and sips” routine lest they witness his “authority”? I do my best, but if everyone truly did that meal service would take 90 minutes.
This is getting to be a bit much. I wonder if I’ll soon be able to staple my vaccine card to my forehead and get exempted?
This is getting to be a bit much. I wonder if I’ll soon be able to staple my vaccine card to my forehead and get exempted?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 17, 2021 at 8:31 pm
#827
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,948
Yeah, they were even announcing the “between bites and sips” ridiculousness over the PA in the IAD clubs last week. As an aside, I find it totally insane. They weren’t enforcing or even mentioning that on early COVID flights, but to pretend it does anything more than make eating or drinking a frustrating dance is ridiculous. I thought most FAs were reasonable about it, but you really had one who expected everyone to do the “bites and sips” routine lest they witness his “authority”? I do my best, but if everyone truly did that meal service would take 90 minutes.
This is getting to be a bit much. I wonder if I’ll soon be able to staple my vaccine card to my forehead and get exempted?
But the cocky attitude of the purser, capriciously stating, "I don't want to ruin anyone's day", while saying that he would quickly toss anyone for non-compliance, really irked my wife since non-compliance, in this case, involves the time interval between taking a bite or a sip and replacing your mask, which is wide-open for arbitrary enforcement abuse.
#828
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Washington DC and Denver CO
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 379
Yeah, my wife was really upset that they just kept droning on about this "bites and sips, replace your mask" nonsense. As the Mayo Clinic has stated, "every time you touch your mask or reposition it, you increase the risk of transmission". She felt that they are now treating passengers like children, insulting our intelligence.
But the cocky attitude of the purser, capriciously stating, "I don't want to ruin anyone's day", while saying that he would quickly toss anyone for non-compliance, really irked my wife since non-compliance, in this case, involves the time interval between taking a bite or a sip and replacing your mask, which is wide-open for arbitrary enforcement abuse.
But the cocky attitude of the purser, capriciously stating, "I don't want to ruin anyone's day", while saying that he would quickly toss anyone for non-compliance, really irked my wife since non-compliance, in this case, involves the time interval between taking a bite or a sip and replacing your mask, which is wide-open for arbitrary enforcement abuse.
I truly believe the spirit of it is to stop people from just taking the mask off during meals and leaving it off (which is what happens in every restaurant now and what happened on early COVID flights) but it sounds like even here now we have an example of a purser enforcing it absolutely literally. If I got penalized for not putting my mask back on between bites to the satisfaction of the purser I would raise holy hell, but I imagine Covid safety would be the trump card and Id lose. Another reason why this whole Covid situation has gotten absolutely out of hand.
Agreed, lol. As they say, you dont know what youve got til its gone.. even if it is Sir Kensingtons Ketchup.
#829
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Thats exactly my problem with it. I know FAs are nervous about all the vast unwashed coming back on board and getting them sick, but this one is ripe for abuse and power trips.. Imagine getting in an argument with a flight attendant on your timing to when you put your mask back on, and what constitutes a single bite or sip and the prohibited maskless pause in between.
They are worried about keeping their jobs.
All it takes is someone to film a person not putting back on their mask and posting it social media implying UA isn't following the CDC rules - isn't safe, etc. That is the stuff that gets them fired - not the thanking for 1K stuff.
The FA's I know aren't terribly thrilled with the heavy handiness of the messaging - but feel backed into it by the bad apples.
#830
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,198
Yeah, my wife was really upset that they just kept droning on about this "bites and sips, replace your mask" nonsense. As the Mayo Clinic has stated, "every time you touch your mask or reposition it, you increase the risk of transmission". She felt that they are now treating passengers like children, insulting our intelligence.
But the cocky attitude of the purser, capriciously stating, "I don't want to ruin anyone's day", while saying that he would quickly toss anyone for non-compliance, really irked my wife since non-compliance, in this case, involves the time interval between taking a bite or a sip and replacing your mask, which is wide-open for arbitrary enforcement abuse.
But the cocky attitude of the purser, capriciously stating, "I don't want to ruin anyone's day", while saying that he would quickly toss anyone for non-compliance, really irked my wife since non-compliance, in this case, involves the time interval between taking a bite or a sip and replacing your mask, which is wide-open for arbitrary enforcement abuse.
#831
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,948
That's the aspect that really bothers me. EVERY expert acknowledges the more you touch and adjust your mask, the higher the risk of transmission. I don't want to see a confrontation on the plane, but I feel it is coming with this approach. Again, the incentive to completely pass on all food is really high. Maybe I'll just bring a sippy straw and drink my bloody mary without ever taking off my mask
#832
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,008
When one's job is at risk, the smart money is on putting in an extra effort to stand out for being proactive and wonderful with customers, not the opposite.
To the poster's comment above, I would not have said "Is 1K meal preference not a thing anymore?", I would have been a little more direct with "As a 1K member I am entitled to my meal choice and will be selecting the *****, thank you". Maybe makes me a bit of a jerk, but I am the one paying the bills and United is the one who promised me the benefit, so why be shy about it?
To the poster's comment above, I would not have said "Is 1K meal preference not a thing anymore?", I would have been a little more direct with "As a 1K member I am entitled to my meal choice and will be selecting the *****, thank you". Maybe makes me a bit of a jerk, but I am the one paying the bills and United is the one who promised me the benefit, so why be shy about it?
#833
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: KUSA
Programs: Whatever AMEX Plat comes with... I buy on price.. Spirit Big Front Seat, want First/buy First
Posts: 1,445
That's the aspect that really bothers me. EVERY expert acknowledges the more you touch and adjust your mask, the higher the risk of transmission. I don't want to see a confrontation on the plane, but I feel it is coming with this approach. Again, the incentive to completely pass on all food is really high. Maybe I'll just bring a sippy straw and drink my bloody mary without ever taking off my mask
#834
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,296
On my last flight, the purser went on a 5 minute rant on how to take a bite of food, replace your mask, remove your mask, take another bite or a drink and replace your mask...rinse and repeat. No exaggeration, this went on for 5 minutes about the requirements for COVID-safe eating and drinking, and that it was supposedly, "law". Anyone who failed to comply, according to this Joe Pantoliano-like wannabe comedian, would be permanently banned from flying on the best airline in the skies.
If UA didn't have a hub at SFO, I suspect I would never fly them.
#835
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
.....On my last flight, the purser went on a 5 minute rant on how to take a bite of food, replace your mask, remove your mask, take another bite or a drink and replace your mask...rinse and repeat. No exaggeration, this went on for 5 minutes about the requirements for COVID-safe eating and drinking, and that it was supposedly, "law". Anyone who failed to comply, according to this Joe Pantoliano-like wannabe comedian, would be permanently banned from flying on the best airline in the skies.....
.
#836
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 98
Yeah, they were even announcing the “between bites and sips” ridiculousness over the PA in the IAD clubs last week. As an aside, I find it totally insane. They weren’t enforcing or even mentioning that on early COVID flights, but to pretend it does anything more than make eating or drinking a frustrating dance is ridiculous. I thought most FAs were reasonable about it, but you really had one who expected everyone to do the “bites and sips” routine lest they witness his “authority”? I do my best, but if everyone truly did that meal service would take 90 minutes.
This is getting to be a bit much. I wonder if I’ll soon be able to staple my vaccine card to my forehead and get exempted?
This is getting to be a bit much. I wonder if I’ll soon be able to staple my vaccine card to my forehead and get exempted?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 28, 2021 at 6:41 pm Reason: Non-UA & OMNI content removed
#837
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 9
I thought everyone knew that the early Covid policy of removing your mask briefly to eat was a United policy. Since the end of Jan/early Feb, the United policy is no longer in effect. There's a Federal Government policy that superseded the United policy. That is on the U.S. government, not United. And United enforces it because they don't want to get fined or shut down by the government for not enforcing it.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 28, 2021 at 6:43 pm Reason: Non-UA content removed
#838
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,880
Just another reason to not fly AA.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 28, 2021 at 6:38 pm Reason: quote updated to refect Moderator edit
#839
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,782
#840
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,318