Exclusive: U.S. airlines tell crews not to force passengers to wear masks

[webfact]

Exclusive: U.S. airlines tell crews not to force passengers to wear masks

By Tracy Rucinski

 

FILE PHOTO: A passenger wearing a mask waits in line to check in for a flight as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it temporarily halted flights arriving at New York City airports and Philadelphia on Saturday after a trainee at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

(Reuters) - The top three U.S. airlines have told their flight attendants not to force passengers to comply with their new policy requiring face coverings, just encourage them to do so, according to employee policies reviewed by Reuters.

 

American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O>, Delta Air Lines Inc <DAL.N> and United Airlines Holdings Inc <UAL.O> have told employees that they may deny boarding at the gate to anyone not wearing a face covering, and are providing masks to passengers who do not have them, the three carriers told Reuters.

 

Inside the plane, enforcement becomes more difficult.

 

"Once on board and off the gate, the face covering policy becomes more lenient. The flight attendant's role is informational, not enforcement, with respect to the face covering policy," American told its pilots in a message seen by Reuters explaining its policy, which went into effect on Monday.

 

"Bottom line to the pilots: a passenger on board your aircraft who is being compliant with the exception of wearing a face covering is NOT considered disruptive enough to trigger a Threat Level 1 response," referring to some kind of intentional disruption by a passenger that could cause the captain to divert the flight.

 

American spokesman Joshua Freed said: "American, like other U.S. airlines, requires customers to wear a face covering while on board, and this requirement is enforced at the gate while boarding. We also remind customers with announcements both during boarding and at departure."

 

A United spokeswoman also said that any non-compliance by travelers would be addressed at the gate and that flight attendants had been counseled to use their "de-escalation skills" on the aircraft and to reseat any passengers as needed.

 

Delta said it had a similar policy.

 

'ENCOURAGE THEM TO COMPLY'

All three airlines offer certain exemptions for young children or people with medical conditions or disabilities, and when people are eating or drinking.

 

"If the customer chooses not to comply for other reasons, please encourage them to comply, but do not escalate further," American told flight attendants in a message on Friday that it provided to Reuters.

 

"Likewise, if a customer is frustrated by another customer’s lack of face covering, please use situational awareness to de-escalate the situation," it said.

 

U.S. travel demand has fallen by about 94% in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, prompting carriers to slash their flying schedules to roughly 30% of normal this month. With fewer planes in the skies, some are flying near capacity.

 

Global airlines body IATA came out last week in favor of passengers wearing masks onboard, as debate intensifies in the United States on the role that government agencies should play in mandating new safety measures for flying before a vaccine is developed.

 

While major U.S. airlines have individually mandated facial coverings, the Federal Aviation Administration has declined to implement the requirement, and it is not clear if the agency has the authority to compel passengers to wear face masks.

 

In a statement on Tuesday, the FAA said it would continue to engage in discussions about protecting the health and safety of flight crews and the traveling public and was "lending aviation expertise to federal public health agencies and airlines as they issue guidance for crew members, including health monitoring, screening protocols and aircraft cleaning."

 

Several airline union groups have called for a federal mandate on measures including masks, social distancing and cleaning.

 

"Airlines are implementing policies on the fly with essentially no coordination or direction from the federal government," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 19 airlines.

 

"We need federal requirements that mitigate risk during this pandemic and put the safety of crews and the traveling public first." 

 

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-13

 

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[GinBoy2]

So, I work for Delta ground staff, and at our station we service United as well 

 

We insist that at check in passengers either have a mask, or take one from us since they are required to be in possession of one to be able to check in.

 

One thing I have actually been surprised by, is the level of compliance by people walking down the jet bridge, it's close to 100%.

 

Now what happens on board I cant say, since I haven't flown anywhere since this nightmare began

[LomSak27]

And what have recent (medical) papers all been saying about the MOST dangerous places to be in for a possible exposure; 'enclosed spaces of close proximity', ok they are not "talking, singing or yelling"  but airlines for all the well meaning blather are packing people together. IE no empty chairs between them.

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doctor-crowded-united-flight-says-passengers-were-scared-shocked-n1204446

 

Until the US tops the curve and drops it significantly no way am I going to be packed in with non masked passengers for 3 to 8 hours a flight. A third world S show, run by hillbillies. 

 

[GinBoy2]

6 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

And what have recent (medical) papers all been saying about the MOST dangerous places to be in for a possible exposure; 'enclosed spaces of close proximity', ok they are not "talking, singing or yelling"  but airlines for all the well meaning blather are packing people together. IE no empty chairs between them.

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doctor-crowded-united-flight-says-passengers-were-scared-shocked-n1204446

 

Until the US tops the curve and drops it significantly no way am I going to be packed in with non masked passengers for 3 to 8 hours a flight. A third world S show, run by hillbillies. 

 

I'm not sure when the flight was since it only states when the picture was posted.

 

But rules we have from both Delta & United are; only family members are allowed to sit next to each other. Middle seats are not allowed to be occupied unless for 'people that belong together' ie families.

 

First Class can only be booked to 50% capacity.

 

Given what I see at our station, and on incoming flights is that was an old flight before distancing was enforced and the media has dug it up for a bit of sensationalism 

[Mama Noodle]

So..... The article, in contradicting the headline, says that airlines can refuse passengers from boarding if they refuse to wear a mask or take a free on from them, but once on the actual plane and in the air, it becomes more lenient in that:

 

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Bottom line to the pilots: a passenger on board your aircraft who is being compliant with the exception of wearing a face covering is NOT considered disruptive enough to trigger a Threat Level 1 response," referring to some kind of intentional disruption by a passenger that could cause the captain to divert the flight.

 

Not quite the scandal the headline implies. 

[Tug]

Well guess I won’t be traveling for awhile 

[metisdead]

An off topic trolling post about Anutin and the replies have been removed. 

[LomSak27]

28 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Given what I see at our station, and on incoming flights is that was an old flight before distancing was enforced and the media has dug it up for a bit of sensationalism 

That is good to know. That said, our local media has a number of others, In other words, local flights out of & into  Seatac which <deleted> a lot of people off, because yes, They packed them in. So much for spacing. And they did not understand that until they boarded ... You will be happy to know that has had NO national media exposure. Unless you read the S Times . 

On a personal note my brother, has to go to LA (parent company) a lot and will again soon. He has three under 10 year old, boys and a wife who has had chemo for a recent mastectomy, all things good and some years ago now BUT, right BUT. He feels the flights would force him to isolate at home ... as the risks are just too great. Add in people he has to meet and greet etc.  

 

Just anecdotal personal notes on how this plays out in the real world.

 

 

Edited May 13, 2020 by LomSak27

[Hayduke]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

U.S. airlines tell crews not to force passengers to wear masks

 

US airlines are great for adding fees for most everything. So…maybe they should divide aircraft seating into ‘mask’ and ‘no mask’ sections. Charge a ‘no-mask’ fee of $300 dollars for anyone who opts to buy a ‘no-mask’ seat.

 

[GinBoy2]

6 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

That is good to know. That said, our local media has a number of others, In other words, local flights out of & into  Seatac which <deleted> a lot of people off, because yes, They packed them in. So much for spacing. And they did not understand that until they boarded ... You will be happy to know that has had NO national media exposure. Unless you read the S Times . 

On a personal note my brother, has to go to LA (parent company) a lot and will again soon. He has three under 10 year old, boys and a wife who has had chemo for a recent mastectomy, all things good and some years ago now BUT, right BUT. He feels the flights would force him to isolate at home ... as the risks are just too great. Add in people he has to meet and greet etc.  

 

Just anecdotal personal notes on how this plays out for 'real people'. 

 

 

They probably don't have to worry too much, the flight will be half empty, or less

 

Thats the other reason I think the story is from an older flight is the load factor.

 

Passenger numbers have dropped through the floor, and if we fill a flight to 40% it's a miracle.

 

Even when we have initial booked passenger counts, the rule of thumb right now is that 10-20% don't show up.

Edited May 13, 2020 by GinBoy2

[Gumballl]

13 minutes ago, Tug said:

Well guess I won’t be traveling for awhile 

And that's good. I commend you on that decision.

 

Only Darwin Award candidates are flying anywhere at this time. I'm sure wherever they are going, it matters the utmost.

 

What really irks me is that these Bozo's complain of packed flights. So the question must be asked... why are they not staying at home??

Edited May 13, 2020 by Gumballl

[tifino]

if this instead were french airlines; a burkha wearer becomes the good guy, and gets a discount instead of a the boot? 

[Bkk Brian]

I wonder how it will go down if one of those selfish pricks who refuses to wear a mask on a packed flight then starts coughing. The potential for conflict has then risen 10 fold and de-escalation is going to be tough

[simon43]

Those who refuse to wear masks should be forced to travel in the cargo hold.......

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A United spokeswoman also said that any non-compliance by travelers would be addressed at the gate and that flight attendants had been counseled to use their "de-escalation skills" on the aircraft and to reseat any passengers as needed.

'United' and 'de-escalation skills' in the same sentence sounds like an oxymoron, given their appalling reputation:

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Breaks_Guitars   

 

[Cryingdick]

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

I'm not sure when the flight was since it only states when the picture was posted.

 

But rules we have from both Delta & United are; only family members are allowed to sit next to each other. Middle seats are not allowed to be occupied unless for 'people that belong together' ie families.

 

First Class can only be booked to 50% capacity.

 

Given what I see at our station, and on incoming flights is that was an old flight before distancing was enforced and the media has dug it up for a bit of sensationalism 

 

The flight was two or three days ago. It was reported on widely in that time span. I do not know when the social distancing thing came into play. But I would estimate the flight was around 96 hours ago at most from when I saw it get picked up by the media until now.

Edited May 13, 2020 by Cryingdick

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I'm not sure when the flight was since it only states when the picture was posted.

 

But rules we have from both Delta & United are; only family members are allowed to sit next to each other. Middle seats are not allowed to be occupied unless for 'people that belong together' ie families.

 

First Class can only be booked to 50% capacity.

 

Given what I see at our station, and on incoming flights is that was an old flight before distancing was enforced and the media has dug it up for a bit of sensationalism 

Story published the 12th, picture taken the 9th.

 

Don't blame the media for corporate unwanted behaviour.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, Gumballl said:

And that's good. I commend you on that decision.

 

Only Darwin Award candidates are flying anywhere at this time. I'm sure wherever they are going, it matters the utmost.

 

What really irks me is that these Bozo's complain of packed flights. So the question must be asked... why are they not staying at home??

Did you read? Medical personnel returning home after assisting with pandemic in NY.

[Cryingdick]

I can't wait for the day no international flights are available to the USA or become very expensive.

[sprq]

American exceptionalism in the age of Trump: more stupidity.

[natway09]

This is typical US "freedom of rights issues" & airlines who want customers. 

Rubbish, when other peoples lives could be at stake you have no rights to object. Wear or deboard NOW

That "goose" in the big white building does not help either

[Gervais Bilodeau]

23 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I'm not sure when the flight was since it only states when the picture was posted.

 

But rules we have from both Delta & United are; only family members are allowed to sit next to each other. Middle seats are not allowed to be occupied unless for 'people that belong together' ie families.

 

First Class can only be booked to 50% capacity.

 

Given what I see at our station, and on incoming flights is that was an old flight before distancing was enforced and the media has dug it up for a bit o

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doctor-crowded-united-flight-says-passengers-were-scared-shocked-n1204446

This was not long time ago...just a few days ago.