Mission accomplished!! Executed!! I was able to purchase a plane ticket and board a plane post covid-19 pandemic. I was finally on my way home, to Grenada. The first flight I booked was cancelled by the airlines, with a simple explanation; “we are no longer flying on that day”. So, on August 31st 2021, I checked in at SeaTac International for my eastbound trip to Miami International, with an onward connection to Grenada. Here is what was different compared to the pre pandemic era.
Let me see what you look like!!
Well, he did not actually say anything but simply signaled his request with his hand. TSA employees now require all holders of boarding passes to remove their masks momentarily, to match actual faces with passport pictures. I had not thought about that before, but clearly it was necessary for security purposes.
Masks, Masks and more Masks!!
Everyone; travelers, airport personnel, flight attendants, tout moun, as we would say were fully masked. As the people were varied, so too were their masks; surgical, cloth, double masks, gaiters, KN95’s, KN94’s, branded, and homemade. The announcements over the PA system were also different. Masks are required as part of federal law, gaiters are acceptable if doubled, but bandanas are not allowed. Whilst on the airport in Miami there was even a personalized message from the mayor of Miami Dade county encouraging travelers to observe covid-19 protocols.
No alcohol!!
Alcohol was no where to be seen, hallelujah. Prior to the pandemic, it was commonplace to see the flight attendants walking down the aisles with not only the regular water, soda, coffee and tea, but the money-making wines and liquors. I thought to myself, I could really love this no alcohol policy. Do we really need a belligerent passenger at 35,000 feet in the sky? In my opinion, the no alcohol policy should continue indefinitely. There is enough mask drama taking place in the skies already.
The emergency instructions were the same.
What I found interesting was that the emergency instructions issued on the plane seemed frozen in time. They did not adjust to the new piece of attire that we have become accustomed to over the last eighteen months. Apparently, we are required to place the oxygen mask over our masks should there be a loss of power in the cabin.
What has remained the same
People are travelling in droves. On both flights, Seattle to Miami and Miami to Grenada, I was surprised at the absence of vacant seats. All 180 plus seats were warmed by some person flying, for what may have been a multitude of reasons. Entire families were traveling, from suckling babies to dogs.
Overall, it was a good experience flying in these times, so the ball will keep rolling.
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