Commentary: What it’s like to fly again from Paine Field

By Juergen Kneifel / For The Herald

Much has changed with air travel since the initial opening of Paine Field (PAE) in March of 2019.

With the catastrophic drop in passenger loads during the Covid-19 pandemic, PAE suspended commercial air service for several months, reopening Aug. 1, with hopes for recovery and a surge in demand. Although the airport resumed commercial operations, the anticipated surge might look like a slow buildup. While some passengers may have good reason to avoid travel these days, airplanes have so far not been found to be focal points of contagion.

When I flew on the first commercial PAE flight in 2019, it was fully booked. On Aug. 1, I took the first flight with United Airlines to Denver — one of only the only two outbound flights scheduled for that day — and the plane did not reach 40 percent capacity. I counted only 36 passengers exiting the inbound flight. Given the plane’s capacity of 90 passengers, this illustrates one of the challenges currently facing the airlines.

I was impressed to hear of the numerous safety measures air carriers have implemented to operate with the highest standards of care and cleanliness. The aircraft smelled fresh and appeared clean. The flight announcement included a description of the process which includes a spray disinfectant throughout the cabin prior to our boarding and wipe down of all high touch surfaces. As passengers entered the cabin, they were greeted with a friendly “welcome” and handed a small packet containing a sanitizing wipe.

Everyone on the flight was wearing a mask or face covering. Preemptive text messages and email alerts were sent to passengers in advance of the flight, reminding them of the need for a face covering. When answering the procedural questions at check-in, travelers were required to acknowledge they were not traveling with known symptoms of the virus.

Social distancing was also being promoted during the flight. Passengers were strategically assigned seats that allowed for empty spaces and rows among travelers. In the case of a family or a group traveling together, they were seated in shared rows. I’ve heard that there are several carriers including Delta and Southwest that have placed a block on each middle seat in coach, designating it as unassigned and unavailable.

All flight attendants wore gloves while serving passengers; an announcement at the outset of the journey provided some assurance that these measures are part of the safety commitment and concern for passengers and crew.

The aircraft are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filtration to ensure that the air being circulated throughout the cabin is treated, much like the air in a hospital operating room.

Even the safety demonstration by flight attendants was altered slightly. We were instructed to refer to the safety guide in the seat pocket for reference if oxygen was needed in case of cabin pressure failure.

Services on this flight also looked much different. The snacks and drinks served were factory packaged and the beverage was handed to the passengers unopened. Bottled water was readily available. But if you would prefer coffee or a light meal, you will need to pack it along. Remember that any drink would need to be filled after clearing security.

You won’t find in-flight promotional magazine in the seat pocket. Only the safety guide and an air sickness bag are present for passenger use.

For those who have plenty of flying experience, you are all too familiar with the mob scene as the aircraft taxied to its assigned gate. Before Covid, even when instructed to wait for the pilot’s signal, the sound of seat belts being released prior to the “all clear” was commonplace. And when the chime did sound to indicate it was safe to release the belt, some overhead bins flew open as if the individuals were in a race to exit the plane. Forget about six-feet social distancing during deplaning. The aisle became so jam-packed with bodies, knapsacks and suit cases, you’d be lucky to find six inches of separation.

Here is the post-Covid protocol to disembark the aircraft; it reminds me of grade school and how teachers instructed kids to remain in their seats until they were excused: Everyone remains seated until the aircraft door has been opened. Once the row in front of you has cleared, then you are invited to stand, grab your items, and follow the line to disembark the airplane. It is so orderly and logical, I’m not sure why this hadn’t been done before.

I appreciate that there are some who will remain guarded before setting foot on an airplane. Others will simply hold out for a vaccine to provide the assurance that they can safely fly. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that certain vulnerable populations avoid air travel.

From my perspective and recent flight experiences, I am convinced that the friendly skies and PAE are ready for more guests. Airports are promoting social distancing and the industry has taken unprecedented measures to make travel safe. Just be sure to bring your mask, wash your hands often and avoid the flight if you have any known Covid symptoms. I believe you can fly and stay safe.

Juergen Kneifel is a member of the business faculty at Everett Community College.