The link below is to an article a few days old, but after reading it again I don’t understand why airlines do not have any social distancing guidelines that they have to follow and are allowed to make up their own or have none. Yes, they are an essential business, but that implies that some passengers have no choice but to fly and should they then have guidelines to follow to keep those people safe? Right now there are more guidelines for grocery stores and restaurants than there are for airlines where the people are in a far more confined space and breathing recirculated air. Why is a restaurant restricted to 50% capacity but an airline can fill its planes to capacity if they so choose? Just another example of the inconsistent and wacky rules and guidelines (or lack thereof) we have going.

Airlines Drawing Criticism Over Inconsistent Social Distancing Guidelines As More Americans Start Traveling Again – CBS New York

[billethkid]

There is simply put no way to implement the number one recommended guideline of social distancing at 6+ feet apart.
And if not able to do that masks are recommended.....which airlines have been reluctant to make mandatory.
Strike three; hundreds of people stuffed into an enclosed area for hours at a time.

There is a certain minimum level of seating on a plane that determines financial viability of the flight/airline. They, like restaurants should be mandated at what percent they can safely operate (most likely at a loss).

That has not happened. The guidelines in general are at best hit and miss as determined by the politics and special interests needs. Very little consistency of application.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by billethkid

There is simply put no way to implement the number one recommended guideline of social distancing at 6+ feet apart.
And if not able to do that masks are recommended.....which airlines have been reluctant to make mandatory.
Strike three; hundreds of people stuffed into an enclosed area for hours at a time.

There is a certain minimum level of seating on a plane that determines financial viability of the flight/airline. They, like restaurants should be mandated at what percent they can safely operate (most likely at a loss).

That has not happened. The guidelines in general are at best hit and miss as determined by the politics and special interests needs. Very little consistency of application.

Until their is a known treatment and a vaccine no way are we going to fly. No way do we trust the airlines

[retiredguy123]

The restaurant rules are established by the states. But, a state cannot set rules for the airlines. That would need to be done by the Federal Government.

[billethkid]

Based on current federal guidelines for social distancing one would then not enter an airplane.

Physically impossible to maintain social distancing.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Based on current federal guidelines for social distancing one would then not enter an airplane.

Physically impossible to maintain social distancing.

sounds like us

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Based on current federal guidelines for social distancing one would then not enter an airplane.

Physically impossible to maintain social distancing.

Exactly, so masks need to be mandatory.

[retiredguy123]

Airlines are used to packing people in like sardines. I wonder what they'll do when sardines starting getting the Coronavirus.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Robbie0723

Exactly, so masks need to be mandatory.

That's all well and good but how will it be enforced once the plane is in the air? A bunch of people decide to take their masks off and - and what? What'cha gonna DO about it?

Not a thing. They'll fly without their masks on.

Mandatory masks on airplanes *cannot* be enforced.

[Number 10 GI]

With all seats occupied I seriously doubt a mask will to any good. You are breathing the same recycled air for the entire flight and you are setting shoulder to shoulder. I read an article a few years ago that it requires a compressor to bring in fresh air into the cabin at cruising altitude and the more new air brought into the cabin requires more energy to run the compressor. More energy requires more fuel, more fuel means more money. If airlines were required to seat people 6' apart I don't think they will fly any planes because they will lose too much money. They would lose less money grounding their planes as there would be no need for air crews, plane maintenance, no airport fees and no fuel costs.

[retiredguy123]

I think the Federal Government should require the airlines to remove all center seats from their planes, and establish comfortable seat sizes permanently. That is the only way to provide social distancing and safety. They will just need to raise prices, which is fine with me. Cramming people into planes to increase profits has never been a good idea. That is why I haven't been on a plane in years.

[Stu from NYC]

Flying will not be safe under current conditions until there is a vaccine

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Stuart Zaikov

Flying will not be safe under current conditions until there is a vaccine

In terms of catching any infectious disease, when has it ever been safe? The problem is that, for the past 15 or 20 years, the airlines have been packing too many people on their planes.

[Two Bills]

Authorities are trialing a 20 minute neg/pos. test for virus in one of the counties in UK.
If it works as they think it will, could be the way airlines go to check passengers prior to boarding.
Just another queue!

[dcorts]

No mask could be enforced, if approved by the government, by putting the no masked person on the no fly list, which is for terrorist.