COVID has left us staggering as far as vacations are concerned. We had a ton planned for 2020 and, like everyone else, were left rescheduling or cancelling everything we had on the books. As certified Travel Junkies, this detox has been really tough on us. In Florida, the heat is pretty unbearable in the summer months so we have been stuck inside much more than we would like. We knew we needed to plan something to look forward to, and to get away from the new normal.
Major Flying Concerns
We had major concerns about flying to visit Jackie’s parents, but the 13 hour drive was just far enough to make us buy the tickets. We went with Southwest intentionally knowing they had the middle seats blocked off so we would be more comfortable. When we got to the airport, we realized quickly this was not the same flying experience we had perfected in the past.
No lines, no waiting, no frustration. To be honest, it was one of the best flying experiences I’ve ever had in my 31 years.
We made it to our gate in 12 minutes, that includes checking bags and getting through security. We do have TSA precheck, but it wouldn’t have mattered. There was no one in our way or around us. I asked the TSA agent if this was how busy it always was, and her response, “This is our new normal.”
The biggest thing we noticed, 60% of the shops and restaurants were closed. In Tampa’s structure that does leave you with limited options but we made it work. A quick bite and we were in “line” to board. Southwest had a 10-at-a-time structure that kept everyone nice and spaced out. At no point did we feel crowded or rushed, it’s a flyers dream!
A Flyer's Dream
The plane ride itself was uneventful. On our flight that could seat 180, we had a whopping 70 people. Space was aplenty. We made sure to wipe down our seat with disinfectant wipes. No real snacks except bottled water, but the staff were overly eager to help. You could tell they were grateful to have flyers and wanted to help out however they could. Everyone kept their masks on and we felt safe, secure, and relaxed.
We had a short layover in the Atlanta Hartford Airport. For anyone who has ever flown through Atlanta it’s easy to anticipate crowded walkways, busy restaurants, and a ton of hustle and bustle. This was the opposite, we had to actually walk to find a restaurant we could get something to eat since they were all closed. Even Starbucks was shut down.
When we landed it Richmond it was much of the same. We got our bags extremely quickly and walked out feeling content it was a good experience. We were shocked at how simple it all was.
Prior to COVID, travel had become so completely oversaturated. People were squeezing into seats and it really became a hassle more than a good experience. While we still wish COVID hadn’t happened, this may be one bright light for the travel industry. There will, of course, be major economic effects from this. We saw more things shut down than we ever anticipated and huge staffing cuts, plus the limited riders on the plane.
While the fall out will be rough, we are here to promote healthy, safe flying right now. If you are able to visit family, you may just enjoy your flying experience more than you think.
Cheer’s to Chasing Our Compass!
