Is This the "New Normal" in Airports?

There are a handful of phrases that we hear a lot in 2020. Social Distancing, Mask Up, the New Normal… I admit that I could go the rest of my life never hearing these phrases again, but I have to ask the question if this is the “new normal” in airports.

I love to travel. I have been a traveler for almost two decades and I have never seen anything like this. Honestly, I don’t think anyone has. I find myself starting to wonder, have they gone too far?

Dallas Fort Worth and Charlotte International are the only major airports I’ve flown through since Quarantine began and they look similar. Information boards, outside of bathrooms, next to water fountains, and near every gate you will find hand sanitizer stations.

There are written reminders everywhere and announcements over the intercom about every ten minutes reminding you to keep your distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, and prevent the spread.

Each of the boarding gates also has markings on the floor reminding people to stay six feet apart and reiterates that masks are required during the entire boarding process and the flight.

While I can understand a number of the precautions, I find myself wondering: Have they taken this too far? Are we sure that there is a benefits to these very invasive reminders? I believe that these invasive reminders are detracting from the travel experience.

While this is a topic many people are writing on these days, the novel Coronavirus is a highly communicable respiratory illness that can be dangerous to vulnerable categories of people. It is important to understand that threat. I am ready to get back to the old normal.

Thanks, y’all!