The biggest travel day for business travelers is Monday. However, today feels eerily like you are in a twilight zone. I was expected to fly to Toronto for a business trip. However, my client canceled due to the Coronavirus and now I am heading home after spending some days in New Orleans.
Over the weekend, I was worried. With the President announcing a National Emergency, what would it be like when I leave my bubble?
My bubble is my house. I work from home and so my interactions to the public is limited unless I am heading to yoga, running errands, and traveling, the social distancing would not be a problem.
However, what will the airports be like? What kind of screening process would be in place? Would I encounter any issues arriving into FLL airport? Sidebar: I read in the Miami Herald that Florida Governor is asking the President to restrict domestic travel to state to reduce the number of infections. I could not get my brain to shut down that I barely slept.
My flight out MSY (New Orleans) was scheduled for 7 am on Delta. The alarm went off at 3:30 am and was out of the house at 4:15 am. I arrived at the airport at 5 am. This is so not me. One, I am not an early morning person and two, I am never 2 hours early for a domestic flight. 🥺😳
When I arrived to the airport, there were no lines at the Delta counter. That is not the norm on business travel Monday. Security was a breeze. I made it to my gate in about 5 minutes.
I did notice a lot of people wearing a mask. However this couple did stand out. They were covered from head to toe and on my flight to Atlanta.
The flights are less to capacity. Okay, they are almost empty. Delta upgraded me to first class on both of my flights.
At Atlanta airport, you have fire rescue (medic) riding around in bikes through the concourse.
The entire time I was traveling, I was trying to grasp the situation. It almost feels like you are watching a sci-fi movie and thinking it will be over in about two (2) hours. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Is this our new norm? What will happen once we have a control of the coronavirus pandemic? So many questions but little answers right. However, I do know that we need to do our part to stop the spreading of coronavirus. Be diligent with washing our hands and limit our social interactions. Be safe!