Originally Posted by mduell
(Post 33824466)
When the feds drop the mask requirement, it seems very likely that AA/WN (from their comments to congress) and DL (they're not even masking at HQ anymore) will follow. Will UA? Is there more business to gain by continuing the requirement than there is to lose?
Also I don't think UA wants the bad press that could come with militant enforcement. Especially after UA Breaks Guitars and the Dr. Dao thing. |
This is actually a fascinating question. For the record, I'm strongly anti-mask and gladly remove mine the instant I am not required to wear one in any situation. But I know that there is a very sizable chunk of the population that trends anywhere from mildly to strongly in the other direction
UA *could* make a business decision that they will maintain their own mask requirement in an effort to differentiate themselves from the competition and to appeal to those who would simply feel safer if everyone still had to mask up on board. This would of course have to be weighed against the passengers they'd lose, but I'd be surprised if they're not at least studying it to see what the best option would be. Remember that UA has come out strongest in favor of a vaccine mandate for employees, so there's already precedent for them to take a hard-line view on COVID matters. |
Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
(Post 33960579)
This is actually a fascinating question. For the record, I'm strongly anti-mask and gladly remove mine the instant I am not required to wear one in any situation. But I know that there is a very sizable chunk of the population that trends anywhere from mildly to strongly in the other direction
UA *could* make a business decision that they will maintain their own mask requirement in an effort to differentiate themselves from the competition and to appeal to those who would simply feel safer if everyone still had to mask up on board. This would of course have to be weighed against the passengers they'd lose, but I'd be surprised if they're not at least studying it to see what the best option would be. Remember that UA has come out strongest in favor of a vaccine mandate for employees, so there's already precedent for them to take a hard-line view on COVID matters. It wouldn't surprise me if UA stuck with a private mandate if/when the feds let the TSA mandate expire (ala their crew vaccination requirements) but it also wouldn't surprise me if it's gone (perhaps positioned as "encouraged" or "recommended") as soon as everyone else can drop it. With some of United's decision making in the past I could also see any number of harebrained attempts to meet in the middle that would be all but impossible to actually implement and likely as actually effective as nothing at all (among them: Separate "masked" and "unmasked" portions of the cabin ala the old smoking or non; "mask unless proof of vaccination" -- I can already see the torch-bearing flight attendants for that one). Speaking of FA's I think AFA will be the biggest thorn in UA's side on that one and can only hope we don't see in-flight service backslides after finally making progress in the right directions regardless of the fate of masks when UA is able to make that decision themselves. |
I see no scenario UA keeps a mask mandate when the Feds drop the mandate - and as mentioned - crew and passengers can choose to wear masks optionally.
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I also agree that United will drop the mandate. While there are health reasons to keep it (not to mention entertainment value) that some FAs will want to maintain, the violent inability of some to follow the rules creates a real challenge for crews. On every flight these days, the pilot goes out of the way to explain that the mask mandate came from the feds, they don't have any control, and please don't be a jerk.
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Originally Posted by dilanesp
(Post 33958641)
+1 Indeed, that's one of the reasons I like the single tray service . It seems especially good to do meal service as quickly as possible given that people take their masks off to eat.
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Originally Posted by Xyzzy
(Post 33961828)
Single tray service has always been available as the "Express" or "Executive" option. Please, UA -- give us the :pption of having everything unceremoniously plopped down at once or served at a normal pace.
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Originally Posted by dilanesp
(Post 33962427)
Serving everyone at the express rate keeps the masks on longer, which protects passengers and crew. It's the healthier way to go.
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Originally Posted by dilanesp
(Post 33962427)
Serving everyone at the express rate keeps the masks on longer, which protects passengers and crew. It's the healthier way to go.
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