I’ve already flown non-stop on Southwest and felt very safe about it all. The plane was clean and the passengers were spaced out nicely. No middle seats were occupied and everyone wore masks.
I’ve been getting comfortable with long road trips (and even hotel stays) much more quickly than air travel. It may be psychological because your car and a hotel room are environments you can control (eg wiping them down) whereas an airport/airplane seems less easy to control, especially in terms of your interactions with other people.
Suddenly an 11 hour drive in a day (CA to UT) which we’ve tended to shy away from in the past doesn’t sound too bad. That’s probably helped by the complete absence of traffic, for example I did a day trip from SF to LA return this week (740 miles) to drop S off at college in only 10 hours driving.
Actually, you don’t know much about our state. Almost everyone who lives in Maine indirectly relies on tourism to make a living. We’re structural engineers. When the Maine economy suffers, our business will take a downturn. It will be delayed a few months, but it will happen. But I prioritize health over our bottom line at this point. I don’t blame the governor. She’s doing a good job. It’s the virus.
I feel safer on a driving trip also. It’s not just being on the plane. It’s the airport and the gate area. In my car I can stay with only H. I’m going to drive to a remote location where visitation is down over 50% over last year. I can easily stay very far away from other people. The location is in a state with a very low number and rate of cases. All activities will be outdoors. I can do take out food and eat at a picnic table well away from others. (I’ve done my research).
I’m more concerned with other people breathing on me than with surface contamination. I wash my hand frequently anyway and even before didn’t stick my hands in my mouth or nose or eyes.
I think remote areas that rely on tourism will have fewer issues with encouraging tourism to come back than cities. It may require a vaccine before I go to a large city again. I prefer wide open country anyway so it’s not a burden.
On if my kids toured and applied to Duquesne, also located in Pittsburgh. Part of the visit there isn’t just to see the college, but to also get a taste for the city, which is really a great smaller city.
Unfortunately, a trip there right now won’t give you the flavor of Pittsburgh as much if it is shut down or operating in a limited fashion.
I’d wait…and see if things open up more. I mean really…eating Primantis (which you must do if you visit Pittsburgh) as carry out isn’t the same as eating in one of their places.
@Creekland, we have had very good experiences with Campmor for getting gear and tents. We like Eureka tents with bathtub floors.
My point was that folks who are in the hospitality industry–the people who work in restaurants, hotels, shops that cater to tourists–are the ones who are affected much more directly than you are. I agree that safety is important and I said that everyone is searching for the right balance. BTW I live in MA and have been to ME quite often in the 35 years I’ve been a resident of MA. My kids went to Camp Chewonki, one of my daughters did summer theater in ME a few years ago and I have good friends that I visit often on Vinalhaven and my best friend retired to Brunswick four years ago and a group of us go up to visit her 3-4 times a year.
My too. I just would absolutley hate an 8 hour car ride, and i feel that airplane risks are low right now.
Our tent is an old Wentzel - back when they were made in the US. It’s weathered a few storms in its life, but one we had in FL last Feb broke one pole and tore a section of the bottom. H MacGyvered repairs when I didn’t see any online I liked as well. This one was a 6 person tent with four separate doors, one on each end and two in the middle front. It was great for folks going in/out without having to step on each other. It’s bigger than H and I need now, but OTOH, we have plenty of room to store things inside. We wouldn’t backpack with it, but for normal camping, it suits us well.
I guess we are all different, which is a good thing! H and I have traveled all over the world and we were planning an international trip for this fall (never left the planning stages!), but that’s not happening now. H and I also love a good road trip. Not only a road trip here in the US, but we have done them in France, England, Scotland and Ireland. There is so much to see when you drive. Personally I would rather travel by car right now than by plane. We are looking at some places to visit this fall here in California and we are again planning a big road trip for next February to ski the west and possibly Canada for 2 plus weeks. Of course the February trip will depend on what happens with a Covid outbreak in the winter.
That is true. The gate area especially. It is getting rather crowded. The security line also.
I saw a piece, I think on the Today Show this week about air travel. The reporter flew between two cities; the airports escape me. He wore a mask and googles and felt the airports were quiet and people social distanced. Boarding was orderly and by small groups. Where he said all bets were off was during deplaning; everyone jumped up, as usually, once the plane landed to be the first off. Social distancing was a thing of the past at that moment.
We have not cancelled our flight to visit our daughter and family in late July as I wanted to wait and see how air travel was; we are too far away to drive. D informed me today that she would not allow me to fly to visit her; if she isn’t getting on a plane, nor can I. Why did I think this was me talking to my mother?
So, I guess not visit to see the baby. I wouldn’t mind driving to visit them, but with work, driving 2 days in each directions would not allow a long enough visit. Might take the time later in the year if things don’t change.
With driving, I also don’t have to worry about my flight being cancelled. I just like the individual control I have in car travel and quoting Willie, I can’t wait to be on the road again.
I think it’s too difficult to predict if you’ll be lucky and have an empty flight or a full one. I would drive.
Fly vs Drive? We are choosing the later. We have to make a major trip cross country this summer (3 or 4 days of driving). I flew SW last month and the experience was quite different than it might be now. Nearly 1/2 of passengers did not wear masks in the airport or the gate area. Our plane was about 1/3 capacity, but many passengers removed masks once on the plane, including some flight attendants ( Our flight was 4-5 hours). A friend shared that her friend (so hearsay) just flew Delta and the plane was completely full despite Delta sending out assurances that they were restricting seats to approx. 60%.
Normally a cross country trip might be fun, but this will not be leisurly. No fun stops at parks, restaurants, or towns to explore. It is simply a way to get from A to B. But we have decided we can control our stops, and our distances to others, and wipe down hotels as needed. I’m more concerned about any shared air between rooms, but hope to open windows and run whatever local units possible. I’ll try to share more once completed.
We have no plans to fly in a plane this year, even though we are really looking forward to traveling again.
I’d do the long drive to Pittsburgh instead of a flight.
Both A and B come with some minimum risks and investment of time and planning. If time is not a factor I say road trip and enjoy the ride. Pack great food. Download some fun podcasts. Maybe even do two nights at a hotel and or add in another college to visit.
I have such fond memories of college visits with all three of our kids that I’d do it in a heartbeat with more if I had them. It’s an well earned privilege. I hate that kids are missing out on this. I could not imagine making virtual choices.
More later. At Atlanta airport. Flights are “overbooked”, which is seats capped at 60 percent. They are offering $. Problem is that next flight not until evening in gate next to me. My flight as well has an issue. Delta is going to be adding flights .
How long do you think airlines will cap at 60%? American Airlines isn’t saying how they are capping. I have a feeling they will up until almost full. I expect a full flight next week when I fly with American.