bhunt

These city operated airports that depend on the parking revenue to pay for operations and bonds going be in a world of hurt. I know MCI gets 50% of their revenue from parking.

Tried to fly home Saturday but nothing ended up going all the way from SFO to MCI. Booked a SFO-DEN-MAF?-IAH-MCI. One of the texas segments canceled so just rented a car in DEN and drove home.

malgudi

This.

The concern isn't so much being in the plane, see above.

FlyngSvyr

True, but that only applies IF one is carrying the virus. If one is NOT carrying the virus, then the act of flying from point A to point B is no different than driving to a supermarket, shopping & then driving home. Especially if the traveler basically shelters in place (at home or work) on either end of their travel. It is then a personal decision to expose oneself to a slightly increased chance of contracting the virus. And, while people still have the choice of free will to buy a ticket & travel on a plane, the FEAR of contracting the virus while flying is a real thing that is definitely keeping some people from traveling.

Your counter argument might be that we should assume that everyone has the virus and should act accordingly. Fortunately that is not the case & we the public are free to make informed decisions. I will stop there, as any further discussion is straying into OMNI. There are a multitude of threads on FT that you can go to and debate the merits of flying now.

If FT posters want to know what is going on in UA planes or terminals during this crisis, I can share my experiences. If they want to debate the merits of my (or anyone's) decision to fly, then I really have nothing more to say.

Dublin_rfk

Last flight for work was two weeks ago and my next is personal (EWR-DEN-RAP). I'm the only one (willing and able) to pick up two great grandchildren in WY. Dad's working in communications industry and mom looks to be either on bed rest or hospitalized. Sure I could say 'road trip!' and do a 28 hour drive and then return with two small children. Yah right.

walkerci

I'd love to go someplace where beaches, restaurants, and bars are still open.

With the caveat that I have to be able to get back with in a few days.

Any ideas?

Stripe

At least UA is keeping some of its lounges open. AA has shut everything,

fumje

Not happening any time soon.

UA_Flyer

It is your choice, but most of us have bigger issues to worry about and being sensitive to the people and events around us.

As a suggestion:

Care for beaches in Georgia? but restaurants and bars are closed unless it is for take out:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/04/us/ty...pen/index.html

threeoh

Actually in the vast majority of U.S. states right now, it is illegal to travel for non-essential purposes.

mauld

??? Does that mean authorities at the airport will question each passenger as to the reason for their travel, and possibly deny them their right to fly? I must fly this Thurs EWR to ORD, do I have to prove why my travel is essential??? Nothing was listed when I purchased the ticket.

My reason, may not be considered essential, but family related. I am flying there to accompany home a family member who has severe anxiety. So not sure if that would raise a red flag, as I’m essentially flying there and back same day.

threeoh

There doesn't appear to be any enforcement at this point at airports, no. Some states have begun roadside checks at state borders but it appears limited / haphazard at this point. The state is relying on people to follow the rules without police enforcement.

Here's the Illinois Stay At Home order for the ORD half of your trip: https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/21...Home_Order.pdf

"All travel, including, but not limited to, travel by automobile, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, train, plane, or public transit, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities as defined herein, is prohibited."

Most other states have similar orders but may vary in the details.

Just because you aren't likely to get arrested doesn't mean you are "within your rights" to do something in violation of a legal public health order.

I'm interested to hear more from others on this thread about what essential reasons are keeping them flying. Essential work? Returning home? Caring for others?

WineCountryUA

In this thread asking people to post about their reasons to travel, please avoid personally directed comments on those reasons or you are likely to run afoul of the FT rules. In particular, any form of flying-shamming is not allowed. Including stating the poster is making a poor choice.

If we want to hear why some continue to fly then criticizing is not a way to encourage such posts and the rules state "Getting personal with another member is not allowed. Personal attacks, insults, baiting and flaming will not be tolerated." If you can not do this, then please do not post.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

FlyngSvyr

Read the entire order you referenced & see what is permitted. I have read the Governors orders for many states & they are similar and all very liberal in what is considered "permitted" as far as activities and travel. Almost anything can be tied to something essential for travel purposes. Even IF they were checking peoples reason for travel in the ORD airport, the OP is traveling to "take care of others" which is a permitted activity under the Illinois order.

There is no doubt that the orders have been created to prevent large groups of people to congregate & spread the virus en masse. This has obviously had negative impacts to the types of businesses you would expect (restaurants, sporting events, the hospitality industry as a whole, etc). But things that can be done following social distancing guidelines (i.e., driving by yourself or with a family member in a car) are generally allowed. Section 14a permits travel for essential activities, which as I said can be tied to almost anything, and traveling on an airplane is still allowed as a mode of this essential travel.

Just pointing out that these are not martial law orders.

moondog

My family has short term rental properties in Florida (mostly St. Augustine Beach), and my mom tells me that tenants in the ocean front houses are allowed to use the beach directly in front of them (some strange state or local law), but restaurants and bars are closed.

Plane-is-home

As UA cancelled all DEN-YYC flights, I’ll be doing a road trip. 4 days of driving for 5 days of work.