The point is being missed here. Southwest can say that we are requiring masks but they cannot be enforced. Then the expectations are normalized. I have taken 20 flights since COVID began. 15 passengers on the first flight, 80 on the latest. I had no choice but to take the aisle seat this time even though I went all the way back to stay away from the crowds and possibly find a window seat. and it’s not just me but anyone who may happen to have to take an aisle seat across from such a passenger. And this was -800 the rows are exactly even unlike the others. This person’s compassion was sipping from her own drink virtually the entire flight hence also had her mask down around her neck and not over her face. The simple point is that this cannot be enforced and the flight attendants cannot enforce it and travelers should not be misled. On the projectiles comment - cell phones are also projectiles as our laptops. In fact cell phones have been launched on landing in my experience more often than one would think. So if the other regulations are due to projectile concerns then they need to be modified further.
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I am an A List preferred member. Flying every week for almost 20 years. Started flying again back in April after a few weeks off. Planes were empty and it was great and NO mask requirement. Now all seats are full but middle seats. I am on the plane right now. across the aisle there is a woman with no mask. Flight attendants were not saying anything. I pointed it out. The person said she (and her friend by the window) had a "note". Flight attendant did not check for the "note". If you can't wear a mask then you should not fly now. Also, SWA goes through all the trouble of boarding 10 at a time and all the markings "outside" the plane where distancing is possible, but does not enforce these important rules "inside" where it is not possible to social distance. This is quite incredible and shows poor management, since I cannot fault the flight attendant who are not empowered at all. Of course, they are still empowered worrying about your small laptop being stored away, since god forbid it may hinder you getting out.
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