Recently, I took a plane trip to California to see my new grandson. Most likely I would not have ventured out in this unknown world if it wasn’t for him at this time. I had many nights of anxiety before my trip but I am pleased to say that I was exceptionally pleased with my travel conditions. My biggest difficulty was getting direct flights. With Covid around I did not want to have to stop and replane. I wanted to sanitize once. That’s another reason I opted to take a carry-on with me. It was definitely interesting packing ten days of clothes, etc. into my carry-on and backpack but I wanted as little extra activity (like going to a luggage carousel) as possible.
Once I was settled I found myself at ease. Mask on, seats sanitized with my wipes and I was ready to go. The flight attendants were diligent in cleaning up constantly and always checking on passengers. You could not order any food boxes but you were provided with a sterilized bag with water and snacks. Water bottles were distributed throughout flight. You could not, however, get a blanket or pillow. You sat a seat apart from your neighbor and many rows were unoccupied. Once I was seated my anxiety passed and I found the flight to be very safe and stress free. We are all in the same boat so everyone had a mask or plastic shield on, and sanitizer is the new hand lotion. Even going to the bathroom was fine– clean with sanitizer available. I did not fear going in because of Covid and when getting to my destination I was relieved that it went so well. The hardest part was wearing a mask for almost 8 hours. I can tell you that the makeup business is sure losing money now. Masks will become the accessory of the future. In fact, you can check out everyone’s style as you go through the airport, on the plane and even exiting the airport.
This was worth the joy of me seeing my amazing grandson and my beautiful daughter. The trip made it that much more emotional for me as I thought I wouldn’t be able to go for a very long time. The anxiety was much worse going that once I was there I realized that the world has embraced and tackled this pandemic so we can go about most things in our lives.
Californians were much more relaxed about the virus and just went about their lives with masks in tow. Like I said before, this is our new way of life. I often sit and wonder if we will ever go back to the way it was before this pandemic. I sure hope so but I think in the end we will all be stronger, handle disappointment better, and most of all, cherish all the little things in life. For all the grandparents that missed their grandchildren for months, our hearts ache and we hope that life will return to normal especially for them.
My next adventure will be a local vacation, driving and staying in a hotel. After my flying experience, this will not effect me but I look forward to seeing all the efforts made by resorts to make their customers happy. Life goes on and we have to enjoy what we can, just carefully…….
I’m glad you had such a good experience. I’m in the UK and just starting to pick up the ‘ new normal’ again, I think staying calm and staying positive is the key. That and a pretty mask, of course!
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I think we will wear masks for a long time. I felt very safe on plane and happy to get back to some sort of “normal”.
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We haven’t done our usual summer trips because we just don’t know what it’s like out there. Also we live in a state with high infection rates that’s on the ban list for entry to other states. Glad you had a positive experience, I wish things would get back to normal so my kids and I can travel like we usually do.
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I know it is so hard for kids especially after the months of remote learning. We always look forward to summer, I guess this shows us that we may have to be creative and make simpler fun.
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I’ve canceled the flights I had planned this year and have been wondering about what it was like for those who needed to travel. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think I’ll wait till next year before venturing on any flights.
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I was quite pleased with the cleanliness of my flights but I would have probably not ventured myself if it wasn’t to meet my grandson.
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It’s nice of you to share your recent travel experience with your readers. I’m sure this would help many travelers to better plan their travel itineraries 🙂 – Jojo Reyes Jr
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I hope so. We all need to help each other in these disturbing, uncertain times.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve been wanting to do a vacation but haven’t even considered planning one because I haven’t been sure what to expect. While I’ll still probably wait longer for covid to slow down (hopefully), it’s good to know care is being taken by the airlines.
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I think most people are opting for drive to vacation. Hopefully airlines will give consumers breaks in the future to increase travel. Stay safe !
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I hope we can go back to how it was too. But you’re right, we’ll all be stronger for this and hopefully will show everyone more love 🙂
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I certainly hope we return to normal soon. Be safe!!
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Wow, this was such an interesting read! You are so brave lol! I would have been wiping down everything on that plane haha. But in all seriousness, yes it is pretty daunting that this might be our new normal of wearing masks. Sometimes I find it hard to talk without fogging up my glasses and then when I do talk, I can’t smile, because the other person can’t see me smile. It’s so sad but thanks for sharing this – Josie xxx
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We are all experiencing this new normal and it scares me to think that it will continue. Continue to stay safe and wear your mask (I have the same problem with my glasses) and let’s pray that it is over soon.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I have zero plans to travel by plane any time in the near future. But the tips on direct flights and avoiding the luggage carousel crowd are genius. Congrats on your new grandson!
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Thank you. I feel like I overcame my anxiety but would be hesitant to do any outside U.S. travel for awhile. Stay safe!
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Well California has closed back down; I guess all that nonchalantness caught up to us. 😢 Also, some airlines are now packing passengers in, opting to resume flying at full capacity. 😥 I guess you flew at a good time. 🙏🏽
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Thankfully I left just in time. Scary times — I don’t know when we will be back to normal.
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is really good for those of us who haven’t taken the plunge yet, to know that it is doable and that proper measures are in place.
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It was definitely better than I anticipated.
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I think eveyone had became cery anxious in terms of going out or to other places. Glad that somehow you became relaxed and less worroed after you settled down on the plane. But it is a great experience that some one took courage and makes us worryless for our next flight, we just really had to take all the necessary safety measures.
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I think we will have to continue to take safety measures for a while longer if we can ever return to normal.
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I am planning to go back and hope that I will have the same feelings of comfort as more people travel.
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everyones been anxious for sure in taking some vacation to other places i think. But I’m glad that you’ve got through it. And thanks for your courage because we got to know what really safety measures the airlines is doing which can be a big relief for those who have upcoming flights.
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I wanted to share it so people will realize that airlines, just like businesses, are working extremely hard to provide clean, safe conditions.
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Thanks for sharing. I think everyone is nervous and it helps to hear about positive experiences!
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We have to think a little positive with what we are going through as a society.
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I own a travel company and I am anxiously awaiting the day when we can travel freely again, but for now staying close to home is definitely best!
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I hope it starts to improve and we get back to normal soon !
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I cannot imagine all the emotions you must’ve felt…
I am happy to hear the flight crew was so accommodating.
It is definitely different times right now, I am not too sure when I will be comfortable traveling again.
I too, want the old normal back.. but while we are in this new normal I guess it’ll just have to be!
So happy you got to meet the new grand baby. I know from the parent perspective my children were missing their grandparents so very much, as was I!
Safe travels!
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Thanks. It was definitely a trip I won’t forget. Hope that things get back to normal soon. I know one thing, we will all appreciate things so much more when they do.
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