Items

• 
  2021

  COVID travel story

  This story shows how important human contact was during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-03

  Canadian Travel During Covid and After

  Contrasts domestic travel during Covid to respond to security program needs versus personal travel from Canada to the United States post-pandemic, and the different airline/airport experience.
• 
  2021-12-01

  A Very Covid Christmas!

  it was December 2021, covid vaccines had come out earlier in the year and many people were excited to get it, while some were completely untrusting of them. My whole family was on board with vaccines and beleived that as the vaccines were becoming availabe to everybody, the worst of the pandemic was behind us. We needed a vaccine card in order to travel to England. We had been vaccinated and were willing to abide by the conditions for travel that the US and the UK had in place. The night before we were supposed to fly out to Enlgand, "Omicron" came out and we did not know what to do. If we didn't go we would lose thousands of dollars that were non refundable. If we went we were risking our health because, according to the reports, Omicron was a different, more potent strain that the vaccine did not cover. My family and I talked about it and made the decision that, so long as we used N95's, took precautions and were safe we would be ok. We did that, we traveled to England at the height of Omicron, we went for 4 days and even though the virus was potent, we were safe and had a great time. The masks actually helped in two ways, one: they kept us safe from the virus and two: they kept our face warm as it was about 30 degrees. We saw a lot of people in England that abided by the health mandates, everyone was respectful, it was a trip that we will never forget.
• 2020-12-30

  Travelling in December 2020 and January 2021

  I remember first hearing about COVID-19 in January of 2020. There were concerning reports that Chinese authorities were wielding apartment doors shut to contain the virus, which was certainly a bad sign, and I was fairly certain that if those measures were being taken, the disease was a big deal. I followed the developments fairly closely from my parents' home in Oklahoma. In late March, around the time of my 21st birthday, I was working as a substitute teacher at the high school I graduated from. I was able to work one singular day before the virus shut down the school district. The next few months were full of changes. Uniformed National Guard personnel staffed vaccination centers, groceries were delivered directly to houses, and entire industries went work-from-home. By the time December rolled around, the initial panic had mostly died down, and many travel restrictions were lifted. I needed a break. I decided to catch a ride with a buddy of mine from Indiana who just so happened to have family here in Tulsa. I bought a plane ticket to facilitate my return trip. We have some mutual friends in Zionsville, a little suburb of Indianapolis, and we collectively decided that we wanted to have a New Years party. Here in suburban Oklahoma, many of the mask mandates had been dropped by this point, but it was still prudent to carry a mask in the somewhat rare event that a business owner preferred patrons cover their faces. It was much the same in Zionsville, but businesses in Indianapolis proper, in my experience, were much more strict. I understood that COVID-19 was a serious health risk, and that it was smart to wear a mask, but it was somewhat confusing to go from a place that seemed so carefree - and admittedly irresponsible - to a place that was still mandating face coverings. The party with my friends went well and many margaritas were consumed. It was a much-needed break. The locations with the strongest COVID restrictions were perhaps the airports. It made sense to me, since airline travel likely contributed a great deal to the initial spread of the disease. Regardless of reasonability, masks were worn the entire duration of the flight. The entire cabin smelled of sanitation wipes, and the airport felt somewhat emptier than I was used to. This was Indianapolis' airport. I had a layover in Dallas and that Airport felt much more lively, in that sort of carefree way I was accustomed to back in Oklahoma. Masks were still required on the plane itself. I landed back home late in the evening without too much excitement. It was nice to take my mask off when I got into my mom's car. Overall, the trip made me realize that different states and regions were treating the ongoing pandemic very differently. While New Years was a welcome break from the monotony of the initial quarantine year, the trip did raise questions about my state government's commitment to public health and safety.
• 
  2021-05-20

  Arizona with my cousin

  This is a story about the first time I traveled post COVID restrictions lifting. This story comments on how isolating the pandemic felt to many of us and thus the importance of traveling once we were able to. This particular story is important to me because it was the first trip I had taken by myself as a newly moved out adult.
• 
  2021-11-19

  Our Adventures In Iceland

  I've written a story sharing our Covid trip to Iceland that we were able to take after the restrictions were lifted. I don't think we would have gone if the circumstances were different, it was a life-altering trip for us, something joyful in the midst of a world crisis.
• 2021-06-20

  Norrish First Visit to old Home Post Covid

  In the timeframe of the slow lifting of restrictions from the Covid 19 pandemic and shutdown, my family and I were less inclined to engage in travel, at least originally, than we had been before the pandemic. The luxury of just having the freedom to meet with local friends and re-engage in the simple pleasure of taking in a movie at the theater or going shopping at the mall were enough. Eventually, desire to see family that had been cut off from us because of the pandemic encouraged me to take the plunge and fly to visit my sister in my boyhood home state of Wisconsin, a place I had not visited in over twenty years. The plane trip itself was a strange mix of familiar experiences such as checking in my luggage and going through airport security combined with new experiences of wearing a mask in the airplane at all times while regularly using hand sanitizer whenever interacting with people or objects potentially infected with Covid 19. Despite being personally vaccinated, the act of traveling in this way felt both isolating and risky. To be masked up while still being in such a confined area as an airplane after the isolation of staying mostly at home for most of a year felt like a flimsy defense against the potential threat from Covid 19. Isolation from one another still seemed to be the new norm for people, with minimal conversations between strangers. Otherwise, the flight itself was uneventful. Once in Wisconsin, my sister and I spent most of the time visiting locations of my childhood. Places such as our former family farm now owned by a distant cousin, or the creek I learned to swim in or the elementary school I had attended before moving away to Arizona, which had been turned into a recycle center that looked more like a dump than a school. Much of our time was spent talking and reminiscing about the past. Essentially reconnecting in person rather than through text messages or the occasional Zoom call. When we traveled to more public locations such as restaurants, a local baseball game, or Fourth of July fireworks, it was apparent that despite health protocols being strictly followed in locations like airports, local mask regulations had been greatly relaxed. While essentially all staff members were wearing masks, the majority of patrons tended to be without masks. While hand sanitizer was available in the restroom, it seemed fewer and fewer people were using it. It was once again a strange combination of familiar experiences such as ordering a meal with the overtone of pandemic restrictions such as staff masks hovering over your shoulder like a ghost, present but less and less substantial. Overall the trip itself was enjoyable, but was mostly an opportunity to reconnect with family while at the same time reassuring myself of the relative safety to be able to travel once again. Eventually, as more restrictions were removed and the increased access to vaccines made Covid 19 less of a fear and more of a nuisance, other family trips to tourist destinations such as San Francisco or Disneyworld became once again a normal part of travel for myself and my family. But my first trip after restrictions began to relax, there was definitely a reminder that the reality of Covid still hovered over our heads, even as we began to move closer and closer to new normal in our post-Covid world.
• 
  2021-04-28

  Til' Death Do Us Part

  I've included a text story and video of the first time I traveled since the the massive Covid lockdown in March 2020. This text and video are important to me because not only was it a brave thing to do after being confined for so long, but it was also a defining moment in my adult life. I am now married as a result of that trip.
• 
  2022-05-14

  Dealing with COVID in Israel two weeks after the lifting of the travel ban

  This story relates the issues my wife and I had in dealing with Covid restrictions on a trip to Israel, just two weeks after the travel ban had been lifted. The story has no great significance except, perhaps as an example of "life is irony." While the story itself is trivial and meant to be amusing, I do share it here with a profound sense of sadness over the recent Hamas attacks and their consequences.
• 
  2022-02-01

  Indeterminate

  Stress is associated with the past two years. This incident was one of my most stressful contact with Covid-19 testing. You'd win the bet if you guessed there is a happy ending.
• 
  2020-03-26

  A Long Way Home

  As an international student from China, one of my most impressive experiences about COVID-19 was the long journey when my friends and I returned home from Denver to Beijing. We knew this journey home is bound to be challenging since it happened at such a particular time. The first challenge we faced is to make preparation for the flight. Getting on a flight successfully is largely a matter of luck, as you never know if your flight will be canceled just before the departure date. Due to changing flight policies, our tickets were canceled three times. At that time, my friends and I felt deep powerlessness in the unstable situation. Fortunately, after the fourth flight adjustment, we successfully boarded the journey home. To prevent being infected by coronavirus at the crowded airport, we armed ourselves to the teeth. We wore medical gloves and masks, raincoats (because protective suits were sold out), and we even prepared ski goggles since the safety goggles were sold out too. During the 18 hours on the plane, we just ate a few bars of chocolate and drank some water. And that was the second challenge we faced. However, thanks to the company and encouragement of my two friends that made our time on the plane less stressful and depressed. When we arrived wearily in Guangzhou, we found out a new policy just published that requires returnees to be quarantined as soon as they got off the plane. Therefore, we had to cancel the ticket from Guangzhou to Beijing. As soon as we got off the plane we were taken to a local hotel where we are going to be quarantined for 14 days. During the quarantine, I went through an experience I never had before. Food is delivered to us every day by staff wearing protective suits. And we measured our body temperature at regular intervals every day. In order to overcome the loneliness during the 14 days, my friends and I created an online meeting room, which made us feel that we are eating and studying together. Finally, 16 days after leaving Denver, my friends and I returned to our hometown Beijing. For me, there is nothing happier than seeing my parents in person and eating food cooked by them! My friends and I grew up a lot after going through this experience. This long way home taught us the importance of adjusting mood and supporting each other in times of crisis.
• 
  2021-05-04

  Flight Class

  This is from an assignment in Paula Flynn's 5th grade class at Franklin Elementary School, in Santa Monica, CA. Being at my Flight class Light from the sun in the Simulator The sound of propellers from the simulation Why can't we go back sooner Happy focus Tencasity Focus Focus Focus
• 2021-03-11

  pandemic reflections

  I wonder if I am being overly optimistic thinking about the end of the pandemic. On one hand, more and more people around the world are receiving vaccines, more and more countries renewed flights in-between them; ASU claimed that instructions will be in-person during the next fall; Moscow authorities lifted the restrictions for the seniors. On the other hand, only a small percentage of people have received the vaccine; new strains of the virus emerge. Some European countries renew lockdowns. Only the time will tell, I guess.
• 2021-01-07

  Covid Christmas

  Ever since I was little I have always done the same thing every Christmas. Although the pandemic was raging everywhere, my family had the opportunity to travel and see relatives in our favorite place on earth Wisconsin. We were seeing older relatives so it was crucial that we got tested for the virus before we left. After getting our negative results back we hopped on a plane and flew to Wisconsin. The airport was empty and everyone was heavily masked and distanced. It was a ghost town. Thankfully, we were able to see everyone and still be safe during these crazy times.
• 2020-12-11

  School during a Pandemic

  Everything was going great, I was doing good in school and I loved being able to go to the beach and spend time with my family. When all of a sudden I got a news alert on my phone about an outbreak about something called COVID- 19. I ran to my parent's room and asked them what it was. They told me it was a disease with flu-like symptoms that has already affected thousands of people. Places had started to shut down and the next thing I knew there was a stay-at-home order. During this time I was making a move from Puerto Rico back to California and was scared about having to fly. We wore masks the whole flight and weren't allowed to take them off unless we were eating or drinking. Once we landed in California we walked through many doors that had built-in thermometers that we're taking our temperatures. Fast forward a few months I had been accepted into Oaks Christian and was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to make new friends and try out for the dance team. A week later we had gotten an email saying that school was shut down until further notice and that we would take our classes via zoom. As expected I was bummed out because I was starting my eighth-grade year in a new school online. I couldn't make any connections and had/ still have to stare at my computer for 80 minute periods 4 times a day. Overall, COVID-19 had made my eight grade year very different than I had hoped it would be.
• 
  2020-11-11

  COVID-19 Risk Forecast

  The Los Angeles Times released a map of how likely someone is to contract COVID-19 anywhere in the United States. Officials predict a rise in cases in the next two weeks due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Traveling and fly is set to increase dramatically and more people (especially) will be together which is going to lead to a rise in cases. This map shows where in America is it more likely to contract Covid.
• 
  2020-07-16

  Ten Days of Self-Isolation

  The following is a reflection on my experience in COVID-19 testing and self-isolation, after returning to my home country Bahrain from Australia, where I am a student. Upon arriving in Bahrain International Airport, travellers are taken aboard buses into a giant white tent-structure. Here, my temperature was taken. Then, I was escorted to one of the desks (mostly staffed by young volunteers) where I give my personal details, including where I intend to spend my 10 days of self-isolation (the Government of Bahrain had only recently reduced the requirement from 14 days). After that, I had the COVID-19 PCR test taken (quick but unpleasant nose swab). The results are published via the “Be Aware” app within 24 hours. It was, thankfully, negative. I was also given an electronic bracelet that acts as a tracker, to ensure that I am where I say I would be. I am driven from the airport by my brother, it was decided that he would pick me up because he had recently caught the virus himself, and so, supposedly he would have developed some immunity. Spending 10 days in one’s bedroom was as boring as one might expect. My main source of entertainment would be, as it turned out, Ancient Rome. I was still taking a university subject, which was moved online the week prior due to renewed restrictions in Melbourne after COVID-19 infections spiked in the State of Victoria. I did however have to get up at 3:00 in the morning to attend classes! I did, moreover, end up gaining about 2 kilograms of weight in those 10 days. The whole experience of travel and self-isolation in the age of COVID-19 is just one example of how simple aspects of our lives (travel, privacy, education, exercise, social life etc.) were changed so drastically by the pandemic. Everything would somehow be more complicated. This reflection was submitted as part of the HIST30060 Making History project at the University of Melbourne.
• 
  2020-10-23

  Travel During Covid

  Travel during Covid what mostly like any other travel, just with a mask, and people didn't actually want to sit right next to you waiting to board the flights. The actual flights were different, though. The seats were not filled unless you were a member of a party travelling together. That being said, my first class ticket as a single travelling passenger with no other members of my party allowed me to have a full row to myself unlike most flights where everyone is seated in close proximity whether you know the passengers seated next to you or not. It was actually nice in terms of people respecting personal space.
• 
  2020-03-19T09:06-05:00

  When the Airport Becomes a Library

  In the middle of March in 2020, flight prices dropped dramatically. I took advantage out of this circumstance by purchasing a $75 non-stop round trip ticket on United from Phoenix to Chicago. My flight to Chicago on Monday, March 16 was somewhat full, and O'Hare Airport in Chicago was less crowded than usual. However, the Coronavirus situation quickly worsened each day. I returned to the airport on Thursday, March 19 for a 10:00 AM flight to go back to Phoenix. O'hare, normally packed with people during this aviation morning rush hour, was almost like a ghost town. It had only taken a couple of days to make the big drop in passanger traffic. It was earily quiet. The colorful walkway to the satellite concourse in Terminal 1 had just a few people, making it quite easy to hear Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." When I got to the satellite concourse, it felt like a library. You could walk on the concourse with barely anyone around surrounded by little to no noise. It was if you owned the place. I went to Starbucks, a favorite among travelers in the morning, where there was no line. The workers enjoyed conversating among themselves. Walking past each of the gates, I could hear near silence as most were empty or near empty, with very few gate agents working in the terminal. As someone who had taken flights out of this airport since I was little, this felt very bizzare. I knew this was historic and I took a couple of photographs along the way. One of the things I've realized about the history of the pandemic, and major historical events in general, is that it isn't necessarily about what's added, but what is removed. The sensory details do not necessarily involve jolts to your senses, but perhaps the opposite. Like Lower Manhatten after the collapse of the World Trade Center, sometimes what you may sense during major historical events is near silence. No one on my flight that day needed to point out the sheer gravity of the situation; the silence spoke a thousand words.
• 
  2020-08-08

  COVID, ASU and Sick friends

  During this pandemic, i have dealt with many things. One being the loss of one of my best friends due to the virus. He served with me overseas and saved my life when i was shot and was bleeding out. It took everything in my heart to not fly out to his funeral. Because of the virus, i could not go and spend time with his wife and kids that i have known for years. He is the one that motivated to go back to school at ASU. RIP Ray. I created this image in his memory and combined it with ASU.
• 
  2020-07-20

  My Experience Flying During the Covid-19 Pandemic

  This is specifically about my experience flying domestically to another state.
• 2020-05-18

  Can't go home

  I was an Chinese international student studying in UCI. Because of COVID-19, I lost my job, which interrupted my plan and made me graduate in advance. However, I found out because of COVID-19 and difficult relationship between China and U.S, most of flights were cancelled. I bought tickets for three times, but they were all cancelled. Finally, I bought a ticket costing me more than 12000$, which is so expensive and make me guilty to my parents.
• 
  2020-06-03

  Dealing with what is happening in the world right now

  I would like to talk about how I feel about the restriction of flight as a student. First of all, because of the global COVID-19 situation, everyone is living under anxiety and expecting when is it going to over? And our schools are very thoughtful, they considered that people might going back to their home country and stay quarantine, all the lectures becomes inline. But when I saw the news about the restriction, I started to worry when is it going to over. Is it gonna stop when the COVID-19 is cured?
• 2020-04-10

  Difficult to get home

  First of all, because of the virus, every country is doing their best to try to contain the contagion, and the flights between countries are limited. So first of all, it is very difficult to get a ticket to get home. Secondely, the photo is I wear the protection suit, with goggles and N95 face masks in order to protect myself and others. But it feels really un comfortable, and it takes total over 35 hour from US to China (I have to transfer at Korea).
• 
  2020-01-02

  International Students on their way to home

  My friends posted this picture on the WeChat group. This picture accurately describes the circumstances that international student in America.
• 
  2020-05-25

  A refund from ANA airline due to coronavirus

  Due to coronavirus, many international students face a difficult time about back to their countries, since many airlines are canceled because of the limited airline and policies that are changed easily.
• 
  2020-05-11

  Venezolanos piden ser repartidos a su país por la criss en Peru

  Decenas de ciudadanos venezolanos llegaron hasta los exteriores de la embajada de Venezuela en Perú, ubicada en la cuadra 2 de la avenida Arequipa, en el Cercado de Lima, para pedir vuelos humanitarios que les permitan volver a su país de origen.
• 
  2020-03-20

  Getting on our repatriation flight to London from Marrakech Morocco.

  Excited our flight out of Morocco to London was really leaving. We missed video taping the cheers when it landed. The flight was packed and we still did not have an onward flight home, but with London not closing down like Morocco, we knew we would have more options. We did finally make it home to Orlando via JFK and the joy was short lived because the virus crisis in America was clearly not being taken seriously and 9 days after we left Morocco we had Coronavirus. Although we could not get tested for another two weeks because America had no tests. #HST643 Scott________ & wife Tammy ________
• 
  2020-03-20

  Repatriation Flights into only 11 USA Airports

  Repatriation flights from other countries had to fly one of 11 airports in our nation. Cities now with some of the highest outbreaks of Coronavirus. Coincidence??? US Embassy Rabat and screenshot from my wife via the Facebook group
• 
  2020-03-20

  US Embassy in Morocco finally replies to its stranded citizens. Take note, the announcement was made at 12:18 am the morning of the flights.

  This is a screen shot of the email sent to stranded Americans in Morocco who registered with STEP when traveling, letting us know there would be several flights chartered out of Marrakech Morocco only. A signed waiver to repay the $1475 cost of the flight was required. This was the first correspondence Americans received since the shut down of Morocco and many were too far away to get to these flights. Many were in Rabat waiting hours to get into the Embassy only to be turned away. With public transportation limited and Americans dispersed all over Morocco, these chartered flights left at 25% capacity to London while many other countries opened their repatriation flights to everyone into, the US flights were not full, with people from other countries waiting and went to London first. Not only did they fail to help their own citizens in a timely and acceptable manner, they selfishly refused to help anyone else. Embarrassed to call ourselves American during a pandemic impacting all nations and people’s. Scott Mentel & wife Tammy Mentel #HST643
• 
  2020-03-19

  U.K. in Morocco Tweet to help get any person of any nationality out of closed down Morocco due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

  A screen shot of f this tweet to share with others in my What’s App group “Stranded in Morocco.” My wife and I were able to book this flight for a reasonable price. Might I note we were out in the Sahara Desert without service or news when the country shut down and after desperately trying to get help from our Embassy, with no success, we turned to the British Embassy for help and support. Original iPhone screenshot from Twitter. #HST643
• 
  2020-03-20

  Getting close to check-in time at the Marrakech Airport in Morocco. Repatriation flight thanks to the U.K. Embassy.

  Getting close to check-in time for our Ryanair repatriation flight to London from the Marrakech Airport in Morocco. Repatriation flights for England, Turkey, Germany, France and the Netherlands were taking off all week thanks to arrangements made by their governments. The United States finally replied to their citizens announcing there would be a few flights out on March 20, 2020 at a repayment cost of $1475 a person. This announcement was made at 12:01am on March 20, 2020, not allowing enough time for all Americans to get to Marrakech and flights were leaving at 25% occupancy. We worked with the U.K. Embassy and were able to get on a fully packed repatriation flight to London and then onto Orlando via JFK Airport in New York for a total of $925. So disappointed to be an American during this time. We had been traveling the world since late December and got caught up in the Coronavirus pandemic trying to out-run it. Only to have it finally catch up to us in Morocco. Original iPhone video. #HST643
• 
  2020-03-20

  Repatriation Flight out of Marrakech Airport Morocco.Thanks to the U.K. Embassy.

  This is a video my wife Tammy took from the Marrakech airport approximately 8 hours before we were to board a flight on Ryan Air to London and then onto Orlando, Florida as a repatriation flight negotiated by the United Kingdom after Morocco abruptly shut down all flights in and out of Morocco. It was a surprisingly happy place but also a potential hotbed for the spread of the virus. #HST643 Scott and wife Tammy Mentel, iPhone video
• 
  2020-03-28

  My last flight as a Flight Attendant had two passengers. This was the sunset during that flight. #REL101

  Empty Planes
• 
  2020-03-16

  Corona Clap by Dee-1, New Orleans, LA

  New Orleans rapper Dee-1 released the song "Corona Clap," a remix of the New Orleans classic "Nolia Clap" by UTP (rappers Juvenile, Wacko and Skip) in March 2020. Lyrics include references to handwashing, cheap flights, NBA cancellations, school and church closures, and toilet paper shortages. The song includes a sound bite from New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell.
• 
  2020-04-24

  Corona Virus Cheap Flight Meme

  This meme explores the temptation of very cheap flight options at the risk of getting very sick. It is a very light hearted form of humor that plays on the millenial and Gen Z love of travel..
• 
  2020-04-01

  Phoenix Sky Harbor during COVID-19

  Today marks my 7 year anniversary with a major airline right out Phoenix Sky Harbor. Although I wish circumstances were better, there has never been a day where I've seen the airport so empty, a ghost town. Due to COVID-19 we have dropped nearly 75% in revenue. In fact, most people think of the airpot as dangerous but when I go to work I only see other co-workers walking around, which is less than the grocery stores at this point. It's sad to see all the vendors and stores closed down. We all know this will take a while until things pick back up, months even. Until then we are all washing our hands, disinfecting everything we can, avoiding touching passengers boarding passes and remaining in high spirits.
• 
  2020-03-18

  Plane View

  Everyone on board is very well behaved. Most of the passengers are Chinese, and they keep their hands to themselves and use hand sanitizers very often.
• 
  2020-03-18

  Near boarding

  About to board the flight from Singapore to Shanghai. There are still people that don't wear masks or wear any safety measures or precautions.
• 
  2020-03-18

  Gate C22

  This photo was taken right outside of the gate, entering the plane. This was the last connecting flight I'm taking, from Singapore to Shanghai. I remember being super nervous and excited at the same time.
• 
  04/03/2020

  1,000 peruanos retornarán desde Houston este fin de semana

  Este fin de semana serán repatriados, en vuelos humanitarios, mil peruanos desde Houston, a los que se suman otros 900 que fueron traídos en días anteriores, informó esta noche el cónsul general del Perú en esa ciudad estadounidense, Rodolfo Coronado Molina.
• 
  04/03/2020

  Can't go home

  India decides to extend the travel ban for incoming international flights until April 14th, 2020. Currently, all of my classes are online and there is not much to do staying here in the US, but going home isn’t an option either.
• 
  04/01/2020

  Chinese missions assist students living abroad

  Chinese government tries its best to protect every student studying abroad.
• 
  04/02/2020

  China arranges planes to fly citizens back, help with global pandemic fight

  China is trying best to protect its citizens from the coronavirus disease.
• 
  2020-03-29

  Flight Cancelled

  This is a screenshot of flight back to China being cancelled. Many other international students have faced this issue for not able to fly back home.
• 
  2020-03-20

  U.S. Embassy: 2 flights from Peru to U.S.

  March 20: 2800 Americans have left Peru, and there are two flights leaving Peru today one from Lima and Cuzco. Website contains a form to register for a repatriation flight.
• 
  2020-03-23

  Empty flight

  On a flight out of LA, the flight crew outnumbered the passengers.
• 
  2020-03-28

  Morning flight: Surreal times

  Walking by oneself in the dawn light I cannot but wish we too could fly away from the surreal nature of this virus. A tiny speck of life, unable to be seen, has felled the economies of the world and the hubris of mankind in the space of 3 short months. My life continues pretty much as usual except only at home whilst food lasts. All my family continue to be employed - we are one of the lucky ones. I wonder if and when guilt will set in?
• 
  2020-03-22

  Our Last Flight Departing

  I work as a passenger service agent for a ground contractor on behalf of Air Canada at BWI airport. This is a picture of our last flight departing before Air Canada suspended all flights to BWI until May 1, 2020; time will tell if that date will actually be when flights resume. We usually have 4 flights a day, 3x daily to Toronto and 1x daily to Montreal year round, plus a second daily flight to Montreal in the summer, but they had to be suspended in large part because of the US government restricting all flights from Canada to arrive at one of 13 airports to control the spread of the virus between the two nations. BWI was not included in the list, so flights had to be suspended before the end of March. I suspect the flights were suspended before the 31st due to the collapse in passenger traffic caused by the virus most likely caused our flights to no longer be viable; our flights that usually flew out nearly full were suddenly flying almost empty. We found out two days prior, on Friday, that this flight would be our last and afterwards we’d all be laid off. My supervisor came in on Friday thinking it was a normal day only to find out it was her last day, and the rest of us would be unemployed within the next two days.
• 
  2020-03-21

  Peru spars with U.S. over letting stranded Americans fly home during coronavirus outbreak.

  Article from Politico magazine on American citizens being kept from returning home until U.S. government confirms that Peruvian citizens in the U.S. can also return to Peru.