Air Travel in Today’s World

On Tuesday, I boarded a plane for the first time since early March. How our world has changed in just a few months! Rated #1 by the Wall Street Journal (two years in a row), Sky Harbor Airport makes flying anywhere relatively easy. We are so blessed to have such a large airport accessible.

We have been traveling over the last few years and signed up for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. CLEAR is a contactless way to get through security using a retinal scanner (or your fingerprints). Not every airport has this service, however, this touch-less identification system has a dedicated entry line, allowing the security check in process to be faster and less painful.

People watching this time was different, as I found myself looking at masks, not faces. All airports require masks. However, there are many people who were wearing their masks with their noses exposed. Some had them hanging off one ear and not even covering their faces. My favorite was a man whose mask completely covered his chin, but nothing else.

At one point I scolded myself for mask judging. I find that wearing one is a bit claustrophobic and really reduces our way to watch facial expressions or read lips. But, I must admit, there were some humorous ones out there and it was a good way to pass the time!

Our airport was packed with people at the gates, but it was eerily quiet when walking between terminals. Most of the shops are closed and have their security gates down. Some of the restaurants are open and you are allowed to sit and eat (without your mask).

The photo below there wasn’t another person in either direction as far as the eye could see. If you are on Instagram and follow my stories, you will see two videos on the empty airport spaces.

However, the plane was nearly full. That I found surprising because I thought airlines were supposed to keep the center seat free, but that was not the case. No social distancing there!

The plane was very clean, however, I still wiped down all surfaces with my disinfecting wipes. Also, the airlines do not provide a beverage or snack/meal service. You may be able to request a drink but I didn’t witness anyone doing that either. I am so happy I purchased a bottle of water at the gate and managed to grab some breakfast cookies out of the freezer. If you missed those recipes, click here.

My flight took me to Dallas to Dallas/Fort Worth airport. If you have ever been to DFW, the airport is enormous. If you need to move between terminals, the SkyTrain transports you there. I decided to walk between terminals and again, there was no one as far at the eye could see. It was a bit spooky because at one point in time, I thought I was in a section that may have been closed off to the public.

Traveling now with new restrictions due to COVID, I felt like I was in a really bad B movie. I understand the need to cover our faces but unfortunately it isolates us. Conversation on the airplane was non-existent. You cannot see someone’s smile. Our ability to converse with clarity is now muffled. Instead of smiling at someone, head nodding is the new way to acknowledge. How sad that this virus has changed the world.

For those who remember traveling before 9/11, there is now a new shift in air travel. I have concerns about how this will further alienate us from each other. How fear of the unknown makes us hunker down more.

Yet, I know this will pass and we will adapt. It is more important now that ever to find other ways to maintain the human connection. Maybe letter writing will re-emerge or perhaps technological advances like Zoom or Google Hangouts is the new fiber that will hold us together.

I just returned from 4 days in Waco and my next post will be about my experiences there. Since I arrived home late last night and have so many photos to sort through and edit, there wasn’t enough time this morning to do so.

Here is the picture on the way home from the airport last night. Please pray for rain. Without our summer monsoon rains, the fire dangers increase. This fortunately was a brush fire that was managed but a reminder on how easily a spark can spread into something much more devastating.

I am SO happy to be home and I wish all of you a wonderful Saturday. May your weekend be filled with relaxing moments and quality time with your family and friends.