well-temperedforum.groupee.net
Masks on Airlines? Not Required

This topic can be found at:
https://well-temperedforum.groupee.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9130004433/m/5263973497

13 May 2020, 09:37 AM
QuirtEvans
Masks on Airlines? Not Required
https://www.reuters.com/articl...-masks-idUSKBN22O349
13 May 2020, 10:16 AM
wtg
Wow. Tough call.

We've seen some of the protestors who are defying the requirement to wear masks. How do you turn airline personnel into enforcement officers if a passenger refuses to comply?

Is there any practical way to provide recourse to the people who might feel they are putting their health at risk by being on a plane with unmasked passengers? Like no penalty for changing flights if an unmasked passenger is on board?

Gawd.


--------------------------------
When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier

13 May 2020, 11:13 AM
Piano*Dad
It is a tough call. Absent a federal rule they're between a rock and a hard place.

As a passenger, if I were seated next to someone who refused to comply, I would demand (lets say it this way ... DEMAND) to be moved to any open seat away from the non-complier. ANY open seat, and I would not accept, "but that costs extra" as a reason not to grant my exception. Think they would call my behavior a Level 1 alert?
13 May 2020, 01:19 PM
Mikhailoh
I don't see what the problem is in making it a federal requirement. Hell, you have to let them grope you now, so a mask is a big deal?

Of course I won't be flying for quite some time anyway.


--------------------------------
"A mob is a place where people go to get away from their conscience" Atticus Finch

13 May 2020, 01:19 PM
Axtremus
quote:
Originally posted by Piano*Dad:
It is a tough call. Absent a federal rule they're between a rock and a hard place.
+1

Without such a federal rule, the general public's confidence to fly is further eroded.


--------------------------------
www.PianoRecital.org -- my piano recordings -- China Tune album

13 May 2020, 01:23 PM
Axtremus
It may not be up to the FAA:
https://reason.org/commentary/...ngers-to-wear-masks/

quote:
... the balance of evidence suggests the FAA does not possess the clear power to issue and enforce a mask rule. ...

... while the FAA lacks the clear statutory authority to impose a passenger masking mandate, the Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary of Transportation may have such power. Specifically, Section 41702 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code requires that “[a]n air carrier shall provide safe and adequate interstate air transportation.” This seemingly nebulous authority was narrowed by a series of court cases when the Civil Aeronautics Board was the entity wielding it, but if DOT’s Office of the Secretary could present more-than-theoretical evidence that a mask mandate would materially enhance passenger and crew safety, it would likely get the green light from the judiciary. Indeed, if such a finding was made, the regulation could be brought immediately into force without the usual notice-and-comment procedural protections and niceties of the Administrative Procedure Act under the APA’s “good cause” exception. ...


--------------------------------
www.PianoRecital.org -- my piano recordings -- China Tune album

13 May 2020, 10:04 PM
QuirtEvans
quote:
Originally posted by wtg:
Wow. Tough call.

We've seen some of the protestors who are defying the requirement to wear masks. How do you turn airline personnel into enforcement officers if a passenger refuses to comply?

Is there any practical way to provide recourse to the people who might feel they are putting their health at risk by being on a plane with unmasked passengers? Like no penalty for changing flights if an unmasked passenger is on board?

Gawd.


They enforce no smoking. They enforce seat belts. A friendly reminder that refusal to comply with a flight attendant’s instruction is a federal crime usually suffices. If not, the marshals can escort you when you deplane.
13 May 2020, 10:15 PM
Amanda
And what about the airlines' public commitment to leave middle seats vacant? Wasn't/isn't that a "thing"?

And if so, what are their obligations to follow through on their own plan to protect their passengers?


--------------------------------
The most dangerous word in the language is "obvious"

13 May 2020, 10:18 PM
Mikhailoh
quote:
Originally posted by QuirtEvans:
quote:
Originally posted by wtg:
Wow. Tough call.

We've seen some of the protestors who are defying the requirement to wear masks. How do you turn airline personnel into enforcement officers if a passenger refuses to comply?

Is there any practical way to provide recourse to the people who might feel they are putting their health at risk by being on a plane with unmasked passengers? Like no penalty for changing flights if an unmasked passenger is on board?

Gawd.


They enforce no smoking. They enforce seat belts. A friendly reminder that refusal to comply with a flight attendant’s instruction is a federal crime usually suffices. If not, the marshals can escort you when you deplane.
Yep. They can kick you off the plane pretty much at their discretion. You can’t be an asshole on a plane. Not wearing a mask qualifies IMO.


--------------------------------
"A mob is a place where people go to get away from their conscience" Atticus Finch

13 May 2020, 10:23 PM
Axtremus
If you're a SARS-CoV-2 carrier, without mask, you would have spread a lot of SARS-CoV-2 by the time you deplane, escorted by marshals or not.


--------------------------------
www.PianoRecital.org -- my piano recordings -- China Tune album

13 May 2020, 11:15 PM
QuirtEvans
quote:
Originally posted by Axtremus:
If you're a SARS-CoV-2 carrier, without mask, you would have spread a lot of SARS-CoV-2 by the time you deplane, escorted by marshals or not.


There are lots of things you COULD do. The question is whether it’s worth being charged with a federal crime for doing them.
14 May 2020, 01:16 AM
Daniel
quote:
Originally posted by Axtremus:
If you're a SARS-CoV-2 carrier, without mask, you would have spread a lot of SARS-CoV-2 by the time you deplane, escorted by marshals or not.


An article in the NYT said one person with SARS-CoV-2 sneezing could spread it around an entire cabin. Thinking back to the days when smoking cigarettes was allowed on planes, I believe it.

Also, I agree with Quiet. Make a rule and enforce it. It's not rocket science.