Just air-traveled and had same impression. No big deal. A plane isn't some comfy, lovely-smelling paradise we're missing out on. I think anyone with bubbling resentment probably has that with or without a mask.
I flew to India and back recently. All flights, including within India, and between India and Europe, required masks. No one likes wearing masks, especially on flights as long as those, but I think the resentment you're feeling from others is probably more you projecting your own displeasure onto them.
What airline? We have flown on Delta planes at least 20 legs since the start of the mask requirement. Haven't heard one negative word from pilots or attendants or ground workers. Occasionally I've seen or heard a traveller grumbling, but nothing unexpected or troubling.
That hasn't been my experience in ten or so flights that I've made since the pandemic. After the news stories, I was ready and looking. I was almost half-expecting some kind of pissed off people or even an incident. Everyone seemed willing to follow the guidelines. Even when one guy forgot and the flight attendant reminded him, he was super apologetic nice about it. I don't love the masks at all. But there's no seething resentment on my side. I can deal. It's an incredibly small sacrifice to make.
Done plenty of air travel, too, and no issues at all. I think the consensus is that Commodore is just full of s***.
What's worse than being a passenger with bubbling resentment is being air crew that has to deal with passengers with bubbling resentment. I've flown a lot and don't like flying in general, with or without masks. I keep my resentments from bubbling because I don't want to bother the other passengers and especially the air crew who are just trying to do their jobs.
It wouldn't surprise me if the pilot said something similar to what Commodore wrote. I am sure some pilots try to act like they empathize with the potential assholes who they suspect may cause trouble.
The swa flight I went on called masks chin diapers. SWA folk like to make funnies even if they get a little trouble from it. Santa Ana airport had less people wearing masks than the Austin one. Go figure
Yeah, I was going to say: I think our pilot said something like "I know we're sick of these, but hang in there with me, and I'll get you to your next stop." It was just basic sympathy and common sense, trying to avert any sort of incident for the flight crew. But I guess if the listener has bubbling resentment they hear: "hey, I'm with you! These things are stupid and we shouldn't be wearing them! Fight the power! Let's go COVID! YEEAAAHEAWAAAH!"
masks work well in smelly situations. the korean kf94 masks are superior to the cheapskate masks that non 99ers wear
Guilty as charged. I just hate having to be around all these plebs. And if I have to follow pointless rules made by idiots on top of that, it makes it even more ridiculous. I wish I could be like @bigtexxx who doesn't need to fly commercial anymore. General aviation terminal is the way to go.
Speaking of that recent trip, some middle eastern lady at the gate was giving an asian couple **** for Covid. She went on long enough for others to stick up for the couple and was eventually escorted out by police without being able to board her flight. Quintessentially American experience... I actually wore an N95 (uncomfortable mess) on my flight even after getting covid. Some of it was peer pressure, but if you think it's all a scam, wear a cloth mask. People were guessing that drier air and other factors likely reduced infection rates for flights during the height of the pandemic.
N95s blow. When I flew back from Indy the other day I had to wear a mask for like 6 hours because of a lay over. I took an extended poop to give myself a … breather.
Damn...this is very anecdotal, but the 77 year old lady who is managing the house we just bought had told me she lost her son at 52 years old. I didn't know what to say at the time, and I didn't want to stir up painful feelings, so I didn't say anything. Now she just wrote to me that she cannot be there on a certain day because "we will inter our son’s ashes at sea". Then I googled and found his obituary. Looks like he was their only son. There was one other search result, which is his (quite public) Facebook page. He passed away in late October. Shortly before that, he had changed his profile picture to a "I got my Covid-19 vaccine" and posted "Because why not!" under it. People asked him what vaccine he got and if he had any side effects...he said Moderna - nothing, no pain. The next comment is someone posting he died from a blood clot to his heart and she wishes he hadn't gotten the damn shot. Kind of scary. I also got Moderna as the booster (after two Pfizer shots). Similar age, too. Makes me wonder if a) the vaccination could have actually been a contributing cause and b) if such severe side effects might be (deliberately) underreported? In any case, I feel extremely sorry for the old lady. He was their only child, too. Doesn't seem to have had children of his own.