Who is/is not Flying Now On UA in the COVID era? Why?
Apr 9, 2020, 2:46 pm
#76
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
IAD at 16:45 today.
you should have heard the snickers when the GA announced a limited on board service and you should purchase before boarding. Nothing is open for as far as you can see.
Apr 9, 2020, 2:49 pm
#77
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
Got back from LAX Tuesday night so just ended day 1 of quarantine (mandatory 14 day quarantine in Texas). Avg incubation period to show symptoms is 5 days and up to 14. High anxiety while counting down days. Was extra careful with masks and cleanliness with constant hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.. hopefully it pays off.
Just curious how they are implementing this from an air travel perspective in Texas.
Apr 9, 2020, 3:58 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,297
r
Those maps posted are just graphic representations of a moment in time with oversized icons. Unless someone is willing to do more research into actual filed flight plans per day vs. the same time last year, I am willing to accept the US airlines word on the % of flights reduced. One other thing to consider is that the "flying day" has generally been compressed. There are not as many options for the flights leaving @ 5:30 a.m or 8-9 p.m. So a snapshot @ noon may look like a full sky, but take one @ 8 am & 6 pm to see what it looks like
The only anecdotal evidence I need to support the airlines #'s are the MANY unused planes I see parked on taxiways & unused gates @ the airport, as well as the very reduced options when I book a flight from A to B. There are clearly less planes in the sky.
Those maps posted are just graphic representations of a moment in time with oversized icons. Unless someone is willing to do more research into actual filed flight plans per day vs. the same time last year, I am willing to accept the US airlines word on the % of flights reduced. One other thing to consider is that the "flying day" has generally been compressed. There are not as many options for the flights leaving @ 5:30 a.m or 8-9 p.m. So a snapshot @ noon may look like a full sky, but take one @ 8 am & 6 pm to see what it looks like
The only anecdotal evidence I need to support the airlines #'s are the MANY unused planes I see parked on taxiways & unused gates @ the airport, as well as the very reduced options when I book a flight from A to B. There are clearly less planes in the sky.
My anecdotal evidence is living under the IAD and BWI departures it is a lot less noisy. Also, when I look at FlightRadar24 the US airspace seems to have a higher % of cargo and GA, not surprisingly, and I also see more AA and WN than UA up there.
Apr 9, 2020, 4:07 pm
#79
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA
Programs: United MP
Posts: 463
OMAAT had a post the other day about the traffic reduction based on TSA data; Tuesday looks pretty interesting: Tuesday, April 7: 97,130 vs. 2,091,056 (~4.6%)
Given that the data includes crew members that is pretty bleak.
OMAAT post: https://onemileatatime.com/data-how-...-still-flying/
Given that the data includes crew members that is pretty bleak.
OMAAT post: https://onemileatatime.com/data-how-...-still-flying/
Apr 9, 2020, 5:39 pm
#80
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
Is that Dulles? I appreciate those who are out there posting the pics for the rest of us.
My anecdotal evidence is living under the IAD and BWI departures it is a lot less noisy. Also, when I look at FlightRadar24 the US airspace seems to have a higher % of cargo and GA, not surprisingly, and I also see more AA and WN than UA up there.
My anecdotal evidence is living under the IAD and BWI departures it is a lot less noisy. Also, when I look at FlightRadar24 the US airspace seems to have a higher % of cargo and GA, not surprisingly, and I also see more AA and WN than UA up there.
Also, I live on the west side of Houston & we are under the landing flight path. I have noticed that instead of landing aircraft being stacked up in a line as far as I can see to the west, they are coming down from the North & turning over our subdivision to line up for landing. Fewer planes, mean shorter (or nonexistent) lines for landing & takeoff.
Apr 9, 2020, 6:14 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: northeast coast of Florida
Programs: UA 1K - 2MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,422
I am flying this week, today DEN-SFO-SEA and probably return on Sunday SEA-DEN. The facility I'm going to just received notice of a positive Covid-19 case (one temporary worker who was there one day). Plant is being deep cleaned this evening. I will go to the plant on Saturday and return home and put myself in a 2 week self quarantine. At least I will generate a little revenue to ease the independent contractor no work stress a couple/three weeks.
Apr 9, 2020, 6:29 pm
#82
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 177
How you were notified of the requirement. Was there someone waiting for you from the State when you got off the plane to give you information and record your name? Is it on the "Honor System"?
Just curious how they are implementing this from an air travel perspective in Texas.
Just curious how they are implementing this from an air travel perspective in Texas.
I flew in after it was implemented. I had to explain to the guy that Washington DC (where I flew in from) is a completely separate thing from Washington state. Someone else had to come over and tell him they are different and let me pass through the exit.....
I think they take your info if coming from a travel restricted area, I was not.
Apr 9, 2020, 10:30 pm
#83
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
Apr 9, 2020, 11:10 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: LBB, Texas
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM
Posts: 111
Airline sent a text message with link to the form, and yes state trooper are waiting when you deplane
Apr 10, 2020, 4:34 am
#85
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: FRA/MUC
Programs: United 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 32
I flew Mar 19 FRA-IAD and then Apr 8 IAD-FRA via EWR. I am expat and wanted to go home during this crazy time. Flew in Polaris both times and you could see serious differences in the 3 weeks with service and food. Attached some creepy fotos. No planes at gates in FRA. United graveyard at IAD. Was only person in line at TSA precheck. Nothing open at IAD, EWR or FRA. Was like living in another world. Well....we are for now 
Apr 10, 2020, 5:43 am
#86
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
I asked him what a normal day would look like and he said around 2.1 MM. So I am not surprised that our airports look like ghost towns.
Apr 10, 2020, 6:48 am
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Granted that TSA is stupid, but increasing touch points among persons in a pandemic seems crazy even for them.
Apr 10, 2020, 8:22 am
#88
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
I would be very reluctant to let anyone "pat me down", especially someone manning a TSA checkpoint, who obviously has contact with lots of people of unknown contamination potential, but also wears no PPEs other than gloves and masks (and who knows when they changed them last?)
Apr 10, 2020, 8:31 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: middle of nowhere, formerly TYO/EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 213
Maybe they think that anyone trying to board an airplane these days is criminally insane
I would be very reluctant to let anyone "pat me down", especially someone manning a TSA checkpoint, who obviously has contact with lots of people of unknown contamination potential, but also wears no PPEs other than gloves and masks (and who knows when they changed them last?)
I would be very reluctant to let anyone "pat me down", especially someone manning a TSA checkpoint, who obviously has contact with lots of people of unknown contamination potential, but also wears no PPEs other than gloves and masks (and who knows when they changed them last?)
Apr 10, 2020, 9:09 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
r
Those maps posted are just graphic representations of a moment in time with oversized icons. Unless someone is willing to do more research into actual filed flight plans per day vs. the same time last year, I am willing to accept the US airlines word on the % of flights reduced. One other thing to consider is that the "flying day" has generally been compressed. There are not as many options for the flights leaving @ 5:30 a.m or 8-9 p.m. So a snapshot @ noon may look like a full sky, but take one @ 8 am & 6 pm to see what it looks like
The only anecdotal evidence I need to support the airlines #'s are the MANY unused planes I see parked on taxiways & unused gates @ the airport, as well as the very reduced options when I book a flight from A to B. There are clearly less planes in the sky.
img
Those maps posted are just graphic representations of a moment in time with oversized icons. Unless someone is willing to do more research into actual filed flight plans per day vs. the same time last year, I am willing to accept the US airlines word on the % of flights reduced. One other thing to consider is that the "flying day" has generally been compressed. There are not as many options for the flights leaving @ 5:30 a.m or 8-9 p.m. So a snapshot @ noon may look like a full sky, but take one @ 8 am & 6 pm to see what it looks like
The only anecdotal evidence I need to support the airlines #'s are the MANY unused planes I see parked on taxiways & unused gates @ the airport, as well as the very reduced options when I book a flight from A to B. There are clearly less planes in the sky.
img
I got curious what the course of a day looks like, so I took random screenshots over about 24h (below, in order).
I think it looks pretty sparse overall, but still that is many probably near-empty aircraft.