08-16-2020
03:53 PM
08-16-2020
03:53 PM
I fly domestically weekly without fail. Having continued to fly during the pandemic, I appreciate the mask mandates. But, consider this: After a few minutes of climbing, you're at 10,000 feet. The passenger next to you takes their mask off to drink their water they brought on board. You reach cruising at 30,000 feet. Snacks and water are passed out, and all at once, nearly every passenger in the plane takes their mask off to eat and drink. Water is refilled and no one masks. Then, about 15 minutes before landing, passengers re-mask. Some of the flight was spent with at least a few passengers unmasked, and most of the flight was spent with most/all passengers unmasked. I've experienced this on every flight with near every airline during the pandemic. I get the mask mandate, and I support enforcement. But I think it's hard to disagree that if airlines are to have a mandate (and be serious about it), then it should be a MANDATE. Don't encourage taking off your mask with snacks handed out to all. And especially don't allow someone to not wear a mask if they have a water bottle with them, and then not allow a 3-year old disabled child to fly. I have just recently status matched with Southwest after A LOT of frequent flying with Delta (Platinum medallion). Part of that switch was motivated by the kindness and LUV the airline encapsulates. There's no doubt that Southwest's ability to treat each passenger as a guest is part of their competitive advantage and appeal for many. I wasn't there, so I can't be sure, but it seems that the treatment of this family was pretty heavy-handed.
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