General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAlaska Airlines could ban non-masked flyers from travel
SEATTLE Alaska Airlines says its flight attendants can issue warnings to passengers who refuse to wear a mask which could lead to them being banned from future flights.
Starting in early July, the airline will hand yellow cards to noncompliant passengers, advising them that it is their final notice and that a written report about them will be made, The Seattle Times reported. If a passenger continues to refuse, it will be noted in the report and a decision could be made to ban the passenger from future flights.
Overwhelmingly, those who fly with us understand and appreciate the importance of wearing masks and face coverings during this time of COVID-19, a statement Tuesday on the airlines blog said. Our flight crews encounter moments when some travelers disregard or disobey our mask requirement. It creates tension and anxiety for many of our passengers who do have their face coverings on. So, a change is needed.
Airline officials also said they understand some people cannot wear masks and exceptions are allowed in some cases.
https://www.heraldnet.com/business/alaska-airlines-could-ban-non-masked-flyers-from-travel/&utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=1a2b3c7d3d-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-1a2b3c7d3d-228635337
Surprised they haven't already done so.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,272 posts)Mask up or get off. Keep it on per the flight crews order or meet the police upon landing.
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)They're boarding with a mask. Taking them off and refusing to put them on.
There was an in-flight video of an incident.
This policy seems to be a punitive measure where refusers get banned from future flights.
Midnightwalk
(3,131 posts)Make it a requirement to wear masks to fly. Require a doctor's note with letterhead for a medical excuse. Make it a felony to forge such a note. Make it a felony to refuse to wear a mask during a flight.
Letting the airlines do this themselves is not working. Their financial people want to fill every seat on the plane so they are biased towards letting unmasked people fly rather than having empty seats.
Is there actually a medical condition that would keep someone from wearing a mask? What does the CDC say?
[link:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html|]
OK children under 2. Makes sense and pretty obvious.
Should someone having trouble breathing even get on a flight? I'm not making light, but if someone is having chest pains can they get early boarding because "I think I'm having a heart attack". I realize there are chronic ailments but those people can get a note.
Unconscious people shouldn't be getting on planes without medical support. Disabled people should be able to get a note as well. Disabled can mean a true phobia about wearing a mask.
I think HIPPA already requires that nothing in the note reveals the nature of the condition, just that the patient has such a condition. If there needs to be an update do it and quickly.
crickets
(25,896 posts)in such a way that all businesses would have the enforceable ability to require masks without argument. The return of functional government cannot come fast enough. Ugh.
RobinA
(9,878 posts)is how people can be not allowed to visit dying elders, told to limit the number of people at funerals, not allowed to visit a beach, made to eat outside at a restaurant, but airlines can pack their flights with people three inches apart. *I* have to wear a shit cloth mask on your flight, but you can sit me practically in the lap of the person next to me. Thousands are out of work because their employers can't operate, small businesses are going belly up because they can't open at all or have to limit their customers, all while receiving, if anything, a couple thousand from the government, but airlines receiving billions can pack in the passengers. Did I mention this REALLY pisses me off.
crickets
(25,896 posts)I find it outrageous that airlines are not held to a standard closer to, for instance, restaurants. There are requirements that seated dining is outside, and observes social distancing. When stuck together in a tiny tin can for hours, I don't care how good the air recirc is, airlines should at least have a mask requirement and a certain distance between passengers of one seat or more.
By ignoring COVID and packing full flights, the airlines are being allowed to get away with murder for money.
caraher
(6,276 posts)They did board at least a few passengers not wearing masks but distributed masks to folks who didn't have them on the plane. The guy across the aisle from her wore his mask over his mouth but not his nose.
Anyway, I'm not sure this is the solution...