[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by oneclickplus

And that includes the little "hitlers" here that applaud this nonsense.

Put the mask back on between bites ... what a bunch of lemmings / sheep. The airlines can just lose more money - I don't care. Same with the cruise lines. No way they are ever going to make me wear a mask if I'm paying thousands of dollars to be on a cruise ship enjoying myself.

So, we'll find other ways to enjoy God's planet breathing fresh air just as He designed us to do.

They're shots (not vaccines).
They're experimental and the experiment is not over.
I'm not getting them (ever). About 90 million people agree (USA).
And, I'm not wearing the damn mask.
Majority doesn't rule here. My body, my choice. Get over it.

Apparently you don't wear a seatbelt in your vehicle either.
Even though it's mandatory in all states.
Also in most states it's mandatory to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
I suppose these rules don't apply to you.

[tvmurray]

I am sooooo done with these stupid mask rules. Will not fly until they get back to normal.

[Stu from NYC]

Another reason to avoid flying.

One hand holds my sandwich and the other holds the mask, might be a problem if I forget which is which.

[Cranford61]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

In all fairness, we have no idea when this man last ate.

He sucked on candy the whole flight in order to avoid wearing a mask. A finger into the eye of aviation policy. Not a SWA issue.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by jmpalladino

Eat before the flight! They should ban all food on flights period, Virus or no virus, other than what they provide on the plane.

Yeah, well, on my Houston to Singapore 18 hour flights, I am not only bringing on food, I am having 4 meals on the aircraft as well.

And my US/Europe flights same thing. Great that we have hot food back on the airlines now.

For US flights, a couple sandwiches.

If I am fortunate enough to be going through Buffalo, I am grabbing a couple dozen nice, hot chicken wings with Ranch Dressing from the Anchor Bar in the terminal.

I don't have time to mess around.

If you have issues with people eating on the aircraft than I would suggest an alternate from of transit.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Exactly. Plus, Im sure there is way more to the story. His rotten attitude is prob what got him removed

Nothing like blaming the victim!

Do you have a shred of evidence about his "rotten attitude"?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

There is no pushing back when it comes to airline flights. If you do not follow the instructions of the crew they will have you removed. This is not new. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. For example, try refusing to fasten your seatbelt and see what happens. Your only option is to vote with your feet and not fly.

That only works when they tell you what the rules are!

I know from my experience that no one said a word about re-masking between bites or sips...

He said if he had known, he'd have no problem following their rules. It's just he never had that option...

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Cranford61

He sucked on candy the whole flight in order to avoid wearing a mask. A finger into the eye of aviation policy. Not a SWA issue.

From the OP:

"One minute Avi Mandel was minding his own business on a Southwest Airlines plane before takeoff this weekend and eating a box of Twizzlers — and the next minute, he was kicked off the Florida-bound flight."

So he sucked on candy the whole flight he wasn't on???????

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

.
.
I'm the OP.

First, I am totally befuddled by some of the previous comments made by some - worthy IMO of an OMG... Some "ASSumptions" are quite bizzare.

Second, I researched this TSA Regulation and pasted pertinent language below. The entire PDF is on a link below. And I checked the SWA site - THEIR policy mirrors the TSA memo. This Directive is for ALL Domestic airlines.

Third, "between bites and sips"? Subjective - to interpretation / timing / monitoring/ viewing etc. I see that the TSA Directive expires 5/11 (would NOT doubt the it will be extended).

DIRECTLY from OFFICIAL TSA Memo:

To: Covered Aircraft Operators
Date: January 31, 2021
MEMORANDUM
Subject: Security Directive 1544-21-02


D. The requirement to wear a mask does not apply under the following circumstances:
1. When necessary to temporarily remove the mask for identity verification purposes.
2. While eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking; the mask must be worn between bites and sips.
3. While communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, when the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
4. If wearing oxygen masks is needed because of loss of cabin pressure or other event affecting aircraft ventilation.
5. If unconscious (for reasons other than sleeping), incapacitated, unable to be awakened, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.


https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/fi...1544-21-02.pdf
.
.

And I'm sure that everyone researches the TSA website before flying...

All that was needed was a simple request from the flight attendant and the problem would have been solved...

[Tmarkwald]

During the first few months of the pandemic, the restaurants in the airport terminals would deliver food directly to the gates, like duty free. The reason being is that all seating in the airport was restricted. So, I've had complete meals - salad, main course, dessert all delivered in bags and ready for when I board. At least now you can carry it on.

But, never had a bit of trouble eating onboard and removing the mask while eating. I am sure some airlines are more restrictive than others, and some flight attendants more like schoolmarms!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Tmarkwald

Yeah, well, on my Houston to Singapore 18 hour flights, I am not only bringing on food, I am having 4 meals on the aircraft as well.

And my US/Europe flights same thing. Great that we have hot food back on the airlines now.

For US flights, a couple sandwiches.

If I am fortunate enough to be going through Buffalo, I am grabbing a couple dozen nice, hot chicken wings with Ranch Dressing from the Anchor Bar in the terminal.

I don't have time to mess around.

If you have issues with people eating on the aircraft than I would suggest an alternate from of transit.

Congrats!!!----you're the first person ever to describe being in Buffalo as "fortunate"

[Two Bills]

I would prefer to sit next to someone eating Twizzles on a plane, mask or no mask, than enduring someone slurping Coke, and eating popcorn or hotdogs the whole way through a movie!

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

That is what Mrs. Yates would say, God rest her soul.

Did you happen to go to Ft. Lauderdale High School in the late '60s? We had a Ms. Yates there that taught English and journalism!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Your mask synchronizing scenario gave me a chuckle. I do agree with you that the masking policy of masking in between bites is plain silly. This is why I will not even attempt to eat on an airplane if we do fly while this silly mask policy is in place. I have, however, practiced taking a sip of a drink in between masking. I'm quite good at that.

The IOC has announced a new sport for the Summer Olympics...

"Synchronized Masking'!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

And I'm sure that everyone researches the TSA website before flying...

All that was needed was a simple request from the flight attendant and the problem would have been solved...

From the OP:

A) "Then a flight attendant told Mandel he had to put his mask on."

and seconds later:

B) "Then I hear on the loudspeaker, 'Everyone who's eating has to wear mask in between bites.'"

Suddenly, the plane returned to the gate, and a security team entered the plane to escort Mandel off,"

My question: What was said or done in between A & B? Was the customer the perfect angel he described as saying and doing nothing to provoke a further response? Did he refuse to put his mask back on? Did he say something abusive? Just seems like I would like to hear what the flight attendant's side was.