Fly Well. New QF Covid procedures

[drron]

Note the first line under don't.

New coronavirus may spread as an airborne aerosol, like SARS

Aerosols likely pose the greatest danger in health care settings, but may also spread in some everyday scenarios.

www.livescience.com

 

[jakeseven7]

These groups seem to think the mask is to protect the wearer from infectious droplets

There is a very very long thread on this forum that went into mask v no mask in great detail - you might find it interesting reading

 

[Mattg]

I got a first-hand experience of the new "Fly Well" procedures flying from CFS to SYD yesterday on a Dash 8.

An announcement was made before boarding that all passengers would be handed a "Fly Well kit" at the boarding gate. This consisted of a face mask and two packaged sanitiser towels.




There was also a change to the boarding procedure. Boarding was done in groups of 3 rows, starting from the rear of the plane (i.e. rows 19-17, then 16-14, etc.) but, much to my amazement, they still called Priority Boarding at the start. So I was one of the first on board despite sitting near the front.

Before boarding, they also reminded everyone to "please observe at least 1.5 metres of social distancing in the departure gate area, while boarding and while on board the plane". Not sure how they expect people to stay 1.5m from other passengers on board when the flight was full!

During the flight, an announcement was made that they recommended all passengers wear their mask and that all passengers must take their mask with them when leaving the flight. Masks cannot be handed to the cabin crew, nor placed in the seat pocket. FWIW, only around 1/3 of passengers used their mask and the two flight attendants were not wearing masks or gloves.

Catering is still at a bare minimum. We were given a small bottle of water and one packet of pretzels & almonds.



It sure was nice to be flying again. But with lounges closed and service currently at a minimum, a degree of "fun" has been temporarily removed from the domestic flying experience.

 

[cmon0005]

How many people were actually wearing the mask @Mattg ?

 

[Mattg]

How many people were actually wearing the mask @Mattg ?

I edited my post to include that info. It was around a third of passengers.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Be interested to hear what experiences in J are like. A packet of nuts and a packet of crisps perhaps, and a Carnevale mask .

Next trip to SYD I expect to do in late July. Still waiting for that *<§&#@ voucher and no lounge means no Pineapple, and I’ll probably drive. I’m sure the QFF points won’t go off!

cheers skip

 

[p--and--t]

Seems QF is not being as strict as United


"United Airlines announced today that, along with other Airlines for America (A4A) members, it will strengthen mandatory mask policies to further mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and help continue to keep passengers and crew safe. While the overwhelming majority of passengers are complying with United's mandatory policy, starting on June 18, any passenger that does not comply when onboard a United flight will be placed on an internal travel restriction list. Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.

United currently requires all passengers to wear a face covering onboard its flights and expects that policy to remain in place for at least the next 60 days. The only exceptions to this policy are individuals who have a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering, those who cannot put on or remove a face covering themselves and small children. Customers are expected to wear a mask for the duration of the flight, except when eating or drinking."

United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread

Airline will suspend travel privileges of any customer who refuses to wear a mask on the aircraft

hub.united.com

 

[BD1959]

Be interested to hear what experiences in J are like. A packet of nuts and a packet of crisps perhaps, and a Carnevale mask .

Next trip to SYD I expect to do in late July. Still waiting for that *<§&#@ voucher and no lounge means no Pineapple, and I’ll probably drive. I’m sure the QFF points won’t go off!

cheers skip

Hi skip,

Executive Traveller posted a SYD-MEL-SYD Trip Report which included one leg J and one leg Y. J Breakfast appeared to be the standard Y breakfast box I've experienced previously MEL-ADL.

Regards,

BD

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Catering is still at a bare minimum. We were given a small bottle of water and one packet of pretzels & almonds.

Handed out by the crew once in the air? Or already on seats at time of boarding?

 

[drron]

I got a first-hand experience of the new "Fly Well" procedures flying from CFS to SYD yesterday on a Dash 8.

An announcement was made before boarding that all passengers would be handed a "Fly Well kit" at the boarding gate. This consisted of a face mask and two packaged sanitiser towels.

View attachment 220455
View attachment 220456

There was also a change to the boarding procedure. Boarding was done in groups of 3 rows, starting from the rear of the plane (i.e. rows 19-17, then 16-14, etc.) but, much to my amazement, they still called Priority Boarding at the start. So I was one of the first on board despite sitting near the front.

Before boarding, they also reminded everyone to "please observe at least 1.5 metres of social distancing in the departure gate area, while boarding and while on board the plane". Not sure how they expect people to stay 1.5m from other passengers on board when the flight was full!

During the flight, an announcement was made that they recommended all passengers wear their mask and that all passengers must take their mask with them when leaving the flight. Masks cannot be handed to the cabin crew, nor placed in the seat pocket. FWIW, only around 1/3 of passengers used their mask and the two flight attendants were not wearing masks or gloves.

Catering is still at a bare minimum. We were given a small bottle of water and one packet of pretzels & almonds.

View attachment 220457

It sure was nice to be flying again. But with lounges closed and service currently at a minimum, a degree of "fun" has been temporarily removed from the domestic flying experience.

In all the Dash 8 flights I have had in normal times I have never had priority boarding called.Nor indeed on the one flight on April 5th in pandemic times.

A little aside.I knew the original Mr.Santos.For a trivia question he represented Spain in soccer at the 1936 Olympics.

 

[astrosly]

Be interested to hear what experiences in J are like. A packet of nuts and a packet of crisps perhaps, and a Carnevale mask .

cheers skip

I've noted a recent experience just before the Fly Well kicked in (post #55):

The future of flying todays Perth to Sydney

I think many of these "cautious" measures will be retained for the longer term as really just cost-cutting masquerading under the guise of security and hygiene theatre. Yes - airlines will make all the noises about passenger safety and being cautious regarding Covid-19 but if they were really...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Only a bottle of water offered with the box.

 

[marki]

Travelling on the Specialist Skills who are exempt from the 14 days quarantine. COVID-19 Restriction Checker

State/ Territory	1. Current status of border restrictions	Links for more information
WA	Into the state as an exempt traveller: exempt from the 14 days quarantine. Returning to the state for rest: Must receive prior approval. Exemption category Specialist skills not available in WA	COVID-19 coronavirus: Travel advice WA exemption form https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/COVID-19 WA.gov_.au borderclosures_050420_.pdf Electronic pass https://www.g2gpass.com.au/

An interesting development as from today 16th June

 

[Mattg]

Handed out by the crew once in the air? Or already on seats at time of boarding?

Handed out by the crew after take-off. One flight attendant handed out bottles of water, then the other came down the aisle to offer pretzels.

 

[Cessna 180]

Yesterday on a Dash-8 out of BNE they announced boarding would be strictly by rows. Starting at the back. 10-15- 5-10, and so on, not actually sure how many rows on a Dash, but hopefully you get my drift.... (Sames as previous 737 flight out of MEL).

Then we all went outside and sat on a bus in any old fashion we liked. Then arrived at the plane and just climbed out in any old fashion.!.!. This provided my amusement for the day.

Water and sugary snack delivered after lift off. Also same as previous 737 flight.

 

[Mattg]

Yesterday on a Dash-8 out of BNE they announced boarding would be strictly by rows. Starting at the back. 10-15- 5-10, and so on, not actually sure how many rows on a Dash, but hopefully you get my drift.... (Sames as previous 737 flight out of MEL).

Then we all went outside and sat on a bus in any old fashion we liked. Then arrived at the plane and just climbed out in any old fashion.!.!. This provided my amusement for the day.

You should probably send feedback about that. It makes a mockery of the whole system.

 

[p--and--t]

So American Airlines have now matched United Airlines rules where if you don't wear a mask you can be banned from the airline, both much stricter than QF


"A face covering is required while flying on American, except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one. You also may be required by local law to wear a face covering in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect.

• Please bring your own face covering to use while traveling. While limited quantities of face coverings may be available at the gate, they will not be available for every customer on every flight.
• Be sure your face covering is on before you board the plane and wear it during your flight. If you’re not exempt from wearing a face covering and decline to wear one, you may be denied boarding and future travel on American.
• Your face covering may be removed to eat or drink, but please put it back on when you’re done.

Keep in mind, a face covering can be a mask or any secured cloth like a scarf or bandana that covers your nose and mouth. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information."

 

[drron]

Well I am looking forward to my next Dash 8 flight on Monday.Can't wait to see which approach to boarding the Tasmanians will use.

 

[justinbrett]

So American Airlines have now matched United Airlines rules where if you don't wear a mask you can be banned from the airline, both much stricter than QF


"A face covering is required while flying on American, except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one. You also may be required by local law to wear a face covering in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect.

• Please bring your own face covering to use while traveling. While limited quantities of face coverings may be available at the gate, they will not be available for every customer on every flight.
• Be sure your face covering is on before you board the plane and wear it during your flight. If you’re not exempt from wearing a face covering and decline to wear one, you may be denied boarding and future travel on American.
• Your face covering may be removed to eat or drink, but please put it back on when you’re done.

Keep in mind, a face covering can be a mask or any secured cloth like a scarf or bandana that covers your nose and mouth. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information."

It's a completely different situation in the USA - they are getting around 25,000 cases a day currently - we have 7,347 total and under 20 a day (most of them in international quarantine). The risk between the two is like comparing apples and swimming pools.

QF has good reason not to make masks mandatory - the subtext I get from their emails is "There's no reason to wear a mask because it's perfectly safe however we'll give you one and recommend you wear it for the peace of mind of the paranoid passengers" - ie, they are trying to play both sides.

 

[serfty]

We were given a small bottle of water and one packet of pretzels & almonds.

Ahhh ... free IFE ... a game of spot the "Nut" and, for additional entertainment, "review the pretzel to 'nut' ratio"

 

[justinbrett]

Does anyone know if JQ are operating their full menu? I'm hoping since I have the max bundle I can still get a G&T