Spring Break 2021 Part 1

 

Spring Break 2021

Let me improvise on a quote by Jesse Itzler to make it more personal to you. Instead of I it will be replaced with you: “You didn’t come this far to only come this far.” 

What do I mean by this? By now either you have been EXTREMELY lucky that someone in your circle has not been impacted by, contracted COVID-19, or have lost someone from COVID-19.  You have been social distancing, washing your hands, avoiding large gatherings, getting the vaccination if available to you, and following  the CDC guidelines. I thank you for doing your part not spread  COVID-19!

Please be aware An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place you may travel to and where people are present….. Yes there is a High Risk of you still getting COVID-19.

Here we are almost a year from when everything was shut down. Since then we have learned a lot about COVID -19,we still are learning about COVID-19, lost way too many people from COVID-19, and also have a beacon of hope in the fight against COVID-19.  Some of you across the country are currently covered in a deep freeze and several inches of snow like myself here in Michigan. I know you maybe looking for an escape to someplace warm or maybe to go skiing for spring break but are wondering, Is it safe to travel yet?

Simple answer is…No.  I know that is disappointing to hear and I understand you may still want to travel. So let me give you some facts and also my opinion so YOU can make an informed decision on if it is a risk you personally want to assume for you, your family, and your community. 

A couple of disclaimers here:

Some of what I am about to tell you is my opinion.

I am not a medical professional. I am not a scientist. I am not a lawyer.

I do have an education in communicable diseases, behavioral habits of people, education in laws, the  the constitution, and how it’s amendments have been applied to laws and court cases. 

I work directly in Industries that give me a broader picture of what is happening and are not sound bites and memes. Those industries are: Retail, Travel, Passenger Air Travel, and Real Estate.(No this doesn’t mean I have too much on my plate to help you with your travel)

Prior to March 2020, 100% of my income came from Travel and Air Passenger travel. While I still get some income from Air Passenger Travel working as a Supervisor for an Airline, I have received no income from booking travel from since March 2020 from my travel agency. I did not take any grants or loans from SBA or the government. Instead took on another job and learned a new industry to keep the doors open at Matt's Firehouse Family Vacations. As travel recovers, I will be expanding the business with skilled agents and not in a Mid level Marketing way. More to come on that in the future. 

I will book your travel for you, but you will assume 100% of the responsibility while traveling.

Hopefully you are still with me at this point.

 

Let’s start with the beacon of hope.  The Vaccines!

This is a HUGE step forward. The science says that Pfizer and Moderna  vaccine are safe and effective, but we are not where we should be for spring break. The roll out is sluggish but should be improving. Here is a couple things to remember with the vaccine. There is a percentage of the population that is hesitant or refusing to take the vaccination. This not a roadblock as it can be empathically and educationally dealt with and will just add to the timeline in the battle of the pandemic.  There will always be segment of the population that will refuse vaccination.  Just because you get both shots, it still takes time for your body to develop a fighting chance against COVID-19. Science is still trying to determine that if you have BOTH shots if you still can carry virus and transmit it to others.  This means Social Distancing Measures and Mask are still going to be a thing for quite some time.  So if you can’t wear a mask and wear a mask properly, please stay home.

Now That we got the Beacon of hope out the way, lets get the major disappointment out of the way.  Cruise Lines

We will not see any cruises from the United States or Canada for Spring Break. This will more than likely carry out for the summer into late fall also. Canada has officially said No Cruise ships for 2021. The Cruise lines have a “plan” set forth by the CDC on what they need to accomplish to resume sailing.  Instead of boring you with those details, here is a link to look over to see what that plan is https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s1030-safe-responsible-ship-passenger-operations.html

Modes of transportation-

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Every company that owns one these forms of transportation are courting you to come travel with them.  They are showboating their Policies and procedures that are meant  to keep you "Safe" while traveling. Some are enforcing those polices, others not so much and it's not hard to figure it out who is doing what.

I am going to list the most "Safe" mode of transportation to the least safe mode currently.

Personal Automobiles and RV's-This right now is the "safest" mode of transportation. Go from Point A to Point B with the least amount of interaction with people. With an RV you even have your own place to stay that you know how clean it is kept and who you come in contact with. 

Airlines- Don't feel like wearing a mask? Don't even attempt to get on an airplane. Argue with an airline employee over mask or wearing a mask properly, you are going never fly on another airplane again unless you have a very good lawyer as you will be going on the Do Not Fly List. Yes you may get some sympathy on social media channels, but you are agreeing to a contract when you purchase a ticket and if you can't adhere to that contract there are consequences. 

Delta right now has pledged that it will block Middle seats until March 30th 2021. They may extend this, but take this into consideration; They are the only U.S Airline that is blocking middle seats and that maybe removed just in time for Spring Break travel. This means there is a high probability you are going to be sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger for several hours. 

Currently there are less flights in the air, less employees, and a slight increase in planes that are flying at capacity.(Another round of Layoffs is coming in March) 

What does this mean for you? 

With less flights, if your flight gets delayed or cancelled, you are more than likely are going to have zero options on same day travel. For Example: You are flying out of Lansing, Michigan, your flight is delayed, by the time you get to Detroit or Chicago the only connecting flight you have to Tampa or Orlando is gone or oversold, you are now stuck in Detroit or Chicago until there are seats available to get you to Tampa or Orlando. So to decrease your chances of this happening to you, book the first flight of the day..... in many cases, there is only going to be one flight day from Smaller Airports like Lansing or Kalamazoo.

A COVID outbreak could mean there is no one left to work your flights. Several Airports have had outbreaks that have left them crippled. We have lost Several Flight attendants, Pilots, and Ground handling staff to COVID and layoffs. 

People are flying with COVID and they know they have tested Positive. Personally, I have been exposed to this more than once at the airport I work at and we are small. Imagine what is happening at larger Airports like Orlando International or O'hare....

It maybe required that you have Negative COVID Test within a 72 hours of checking in to board a plane very shortly anywhere in the United States. You will have to present official paperwork. If you have a problem with HIPPA or letting people know you are Negative, find another way to get where you are headed. Currently if you travel from outside the country you  MUST have a negative COVID test to return to the United States. No you are not special, Yes You will be denied boarding on an Aircraft to United States. While Delta's CEO says its a bad idea to have all passengers under the age of 2 to have a Negative Test to board any flight in the U.S, as a person that interacts with Passengers, I hope the test requirements happens. 

United's CEO Scott Kirby has suggested making the vaccine Mandatory to work for United and has "asked" other airlines to follow his lead. Personally, it would give me a better piece of mind when flying and I am eagerly hoping I qualify for the vaccine very soon. 

Now this may sound strange coming from a travel agent.... BUY DIRECTLY from the Airlines UNLESS it is Part of a package.   Now that doesn't mean bypass a travel agent, that means Bypass places that are Discounters like Expedia, Cheap air, etc. You may get to a counter or call  XYZ airlines expect help and they say "so sad you have to deal with  Expedia for rebooking or cancellations." If you use a travel agent, they are going to be your advocate during this time. Just remember, a travel agent does not make policies and procedures of their suppliers or airlines.  Also those discount travel sites are not going to be very forthcoming on travel restrictions, requirements, or the changes that occur. I have had several people show up to my check in counter not knowing they need a COVID test, the quarantine requirements, or that their flight time has changed or had been cancelled.

 Train- Have social distancing requirements and can allow you to space out a bit but you will have frequent stops in several cities and depending on your destination be on the train for several days.

Bus- I am sorry, just avoid them if at all possible. 

Was this helpful? Would you like to see part 2 in this format or as VLOG or Podcast? The next part is a little more complicated.