2020 Issue 6 Nov/Dec - Focus Mid-Tenn Magazine

Nashville International Airport (BNA), although
still undergoing renovations, has been easy to
navigate while practicing social distancing, and
as a side note, the new Terminal D is very nice
(RIP BNA carpet). At security, you’ll be asked to
uncover your mouth to check against your picture
ID, but that’s the only time you should remove
your mask during the process. Be advised some
dining is still closed, so keep that in mind as you’re
planning meals. The good news is that you may
need less time than normal to get through security
and get to your gate, so plan accordingly.
Many gates are practicing social distancing
by blocking off every other chair. I found most
people respected mask rules, except while eating
and drinking. When boarding, the airlines called
for smaller boarding groups than usual in order
to stagger entrance onto the plane. Some airlines
even board in reverse order in order to reduce
people passing each other in the aisles.
On the Flight
My first few flights during COVID in July were
the best flights of my life because of how empty
they were! On the first flight, there were only 15
people; the second flight had just 23. Since then,
flights have been getting fuller as restrictions are
starting to ease and people are becoming more
comfortable. Some airlines intentionally leave the
middle seat open when booking to keep social
distancing measures while others book the entire
plane.
All airlines I’ve flown have mandated passengers
wear their masks the entire time, except when
eating or drinking. Speaking of which, what’s
become of snack and beverage service, you may
ask? It depends on the airline. Southwest gave out
water and pretzels only; Delta passed out prepackaged
snack bags, which included a bottle of
water, chips, cookies, napkins and hand sanitizer.
Other airlines do not offer any refreshments, but
you can bring your own if you wish. Overall, I
didn’t feel like anyone was taking advantage of
this exception and I myself tried to pull my mask
back up when chewing or between sips of water
to be courteous to others.
At Your Destination
When you’re at your destination, you’ll find that
not much has changed regarding social distancing
and wearing masks. Although you should research
your destination’s specific requirements, there’s
generally not much difference in regulations,
especially in larger cities. However, there are a
few differences you may need to be aware of. For
example, some states, such as Massachusetts,
require either a two-week quarantine OR negative
COVID-19 test results upon entering. Some cities
require mask-wearing outdoors, while others
do not. Some attractions may be open, while
others might be closed. You’ll need to do your
research beforehand in order to make sure
your trip is safe and fun, and that there are no
surprises that could jeopardize your trip.
I think the strangest part of traveling during
COVID is when cities don’t have as strict of
rules as Nashville. For example, I went to a gun
store with my mother in a small town in Texas,
and we were the only ones wearing masks.
This felt alarming to me! My advice in these
situations is, do what you know is right, and
don’t let laxer regulations or other’s disregard
make you question that. Wear a mask, socially
distance, use hand sanitizer and be cognizant
of others, even when others aren’t. If anything,
you should be peer-pressuring others to stay
safe!
If you are traveling to visit family, talk to them
ahead of time about their comfort levels. Do
they want to give hugs or would they rather
give an elbow bump? Will you maintain six
feet of distance the entire time? Will you wear
masks indoors to protect elderly relatives?
There are a lot of considerations to discuss
before your arrival and planning them in
advance will ease discomfort and ensure there
are no awkward situations due to different
expectations of contact.
What to Pack
There are some things I found particularly
helpful when traveling, whether via plane or
car. First, bring extra masks! Although you can
find masks almost anywhere these days, I’d
pack a couple of extras in your luggage in case
you lose one and to swap out when dirty. Also,
I love having hand sanitizer in my bag! I always
feel good when I put it on after touching
door handles or retrieving my luggage from
baggage claim. Another wonderful thing I
discovered were small packs of facial wipes.
Wearing a mask can get hot, especially
when running from one gate to another for a
connection and facial wipes are a nice treat to
have to clean your face and cool you down.
Whether you are traveling by plane, train,
or automobile this holiday season, it’s easier
to stay safe and keep others safe than you
may expect. As stated before, it’s a personal
decision that only you and your family can
make, but it’s a decision that you shouldn’t
feel bad about with the right planning and
precaution. I hope you all have a safe and
enjoyable holiday season and that these tips
can help you as you plan your future travels
during this pandemic.
CHEERS! / NOV+DEC 2020 / focusmidtenn.com / Page 41