Travel has been difficult during the pandemic. For RVers, but for flyers too. The airline industry has taken a huge dip, and people just aren’t flying like they used to. Not to mention, social distancing is a little hard to do in a confined space 35,000 feet in the air.
When was the last time you flew on an airplane? Was it before COVID-19 hit? Have you flown recently and, if so, what was that experience like?
Please vote in the poll below (if it’s not showing up for you, it’s probably because you have ad-blockers turned on. Check your settings, and turn them off!), and leave a comment telling us if you’ve flown recently, or if you’d feel comfortable flying right now. Thanks!
We flew from N Michigan to Tucson the first week of March 2020. The virus was starting to dominate the news. The professional ballgame we attended in Phoenix on Tuesday before returning was one of the last to be played before Spring Training was canceled. That really brought home to me the seriousness of what was happening.
1996, from TC, Michigan to Newark, New Jersey and back for company training. Hopefully never again. First time was in 1967, lot more enjoyable until the security crap spoiled it.
Before my last flight in 2014, I had already soured on flying. Had to fly to the manufacturer to pick up my second RV, a Class C.
My husband and I just purchased our Winnebago Fuse because we aren’t comfortable flying or staying in motels. We want to travel with minimized risk.
I had not seen my brother so I went up north in early May. Rented a car so I could get around the area. He still works, I’m up later and earlier than his household so stayed in a nice hotel. Just 4 days and home again.
The last time I flew was to Frankfurt Germany. This was way back in 2008.
I never liked flying before and this cemented my feelings on “ if I can’t drive there, I don’t need to go!”
I enjoyed myself once I got there but all of the hoopla getting there was a pain in the derrière!
Once I got to Amsterdam to change flights (a two hour layover) I went to my boarding area and sat down with my book to pass the time reading. When flight time neared I was puzzled as to why no one else was waiting with me for the flight. A nice employee of the airlines showed up and asked are Mr.Sellers? Yes I said she said the plane was boarding and I needed to go to the boarding area… the gate had been changed. So off we went on a golf cart all the way to the plane waiting in the taxi area and to a round of cheers from those on board and a welcome from over the intercom from the captain away we went! Boy was I embarrassed !
Since I’ve retired and am no longer on a strict schedule, I refuse to fly unless I absolutely have to be there the same day (which is why the last flight I took was in April 2018, returning from my sister’s funeral).
USAF 30 years ago KC135 tanker returning back to base.
Flying isn’t my favorite way to travel but the end of February this year our son near Kansas City became very ill and I flew from our snowbird location in south FL to help with our granddaughter. It was at the beginning of the virus and only a few were wearing masks and the plane was crowded. I was glad when he was well enough that I could fly south again. A few weeks later social distancing was recommended.
September 3rd and 4th. Boston to Atlanta and return. To attend Atlanta Braves baseball game. Fathers day gift from my son, who went with me.
It was in 2018
Flew from Singapore back home to Boise on 15 Feb 20. Had a small stomach infection and the Doc in Pinang, Malaysia said I’d better get home because of the virus spread in SE Asia. Shoulda stayed there, although the virus spread the deaths did not eclipse like in the US.
last time on a commercial airliner was 2012 when my mom was ill. i am a general aviation sport pilot but haven’t flown in 3-yrs due to a lack of an airplane. i love flying, love airplanes but really, really dislike the airlines.
The last time we flew was in 1989 just prior to buying our first coach. If we can’t get there by motorhome we just don’t go.
I let my class 3 medical expire because I could no longer afford to fly as a pilot as much as -I- felt I needed to be “safety current “. Or if your talking about flying in a big jet that absolutely requires a runway to land safely, it’s been longer than 10 years. I really prefer the size plane that one -CAN- land almost anywhere and walk away.
My last commercial flight was almost two years ago when I took my old truck to my son in Phoenix and then flew back,to,Albuquerque. Just prior to that, May and June 2018, I/we flew in a Cessna-type plane to go skydiving.
In the late 90’s I had a job in NJ while living in VA. I flew home every weekend (and ran into the same people at the airport every week). I learned to hate the flying subway, and once I had used up my frequent flyer miles, I did not got on a plane again — and hope I never have to.
I flew out on Monday and back on Thursday every week for 18 months in 2001-2002 which was enough flying for me. My last flight was in 2003 to Frankfort, Germany and back. I have no desire to get on a commercial airplane again.
I went to Aruba In February. The virus was just starting to get attention on the West coast.
Last time was a 50th wedding anniversary trip to the 50th state: Hawaii.
What a great idea, Tom! And did you go to Alaska on your 49th? Take care, and stay healthy. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
In 2016, we made a trip to the Pacific North West and both ways were total nightmares. So bad it would make a grown person cry. It was after that trip we decided to buy a motorhome and have not regretted it.
Took a cruise in Jan and got back from Ft Lauderdale just a few weeks before the lock down started.
I am a former commercial pilot and I hate to fly. Mostly because of everything associated with flying, not the plane itself.
We flew to TX for a relative’s funeral in Jan 2020.
It isn’t the flying that I dislike, but all the stuff before and after. Parking at airports can be difficult and unpleasant. So, too, is getting from the parking lot to the airport. Once inside TSA screening is alternately tedious and chaotic, and sometimes very time-consuming. Then the whole process of boarding the plane reminds one of the darker side of survival-of-the-fittest. By comparison flying itself is an orderly and restful interlude before baggage claim, the rental car counter, and navigating from the airport to ones actual destination. Few destinations are sufficiently enticing to compel me to endure such deprivation. Only Kauai and Ireland currently make the list.