Apparently, Airlines Are About to Shut Down Domestic Travel

[MineralMan]

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-airlines-prepare-plans-to-virtually-shut-down-domestic-service-amid-outbreak-2020-03-23

This could make it almost impossible to make even emergency flights for family issues. Since I am constantly worried about my 95-year-old parents who live in California, a 2000+-mile drive from my home in Minnesota, it's a real cause of concern for me. I was just out there in February, and have no plans to go out there, except in case of emergency.

I talk to my father daily, and will let him know that it may be impossible for me to fly out there in the near future. Their situation is currently stable, and they have 24/7 live-in home health care, but that could change at any time.

It's possible for me to drive there in three long days, but that wouldn't necessarily be of much use. I'd have to rent a car, though, because we have just one reliable vehicle at home.

I bring this up, because I know there are others in similar situations. I will be monitoring the situation closely.

[underpants]

1. Great.

My buddy’s son didn’t fly from California last week putting it off until the end of the month.

We can make the drive to Georgia if need be.

[Fullduplexxx]

2. Give us our bailout or no one flys

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Three long days.

Know the drill,two Hotel stays unless you do the Sleep in the Car bit. Not much Social Distancing on that route. You will be traveling through the Land of Denial.

[MineralMan]

5. I'm hoping that no such decision is required.

It would not be an advisable trip, I think, for me. I am an at-risk old person and, as you say, the areas I'd be traveling through are populated by conservative sorts who tend to listen to Shitler.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Idea,

Check with UPS and see if they are still offering Red Eye seats to LA. They used to years ago out of Humphrey Freight Docks.

[MineralMan]

9. With luck, I won't need to look into those things.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. If you need help on my end,

send us a note.

[MineralMan]

11. Will do. Thanks!

[redstatebluegirl]

4. A lot of us live a distance from our loved ones.

Thankfully we had to get a new car last year when mine died. We could drive it if we had to.

[GoneRonin]

6. Airline Bailout

I hope that if the airlines DO get bailed out, that a condition will be to refund money on cancelled flights. With what it going on, who knows when people are going to want to fly again...and people could certainly use that money back in their accounts.

We had a trip planned in the next couple weeks. Jetblue gave us credit that we need to use in 1 year, but wouldn't refund the money. I am sure we are not the only ones in that boat, and that money could help a lot of people right now.

[MineralMan]

8. The money is not my concern.

It is the impossibility of flying that concerns me. A road trip is not advisable at the current time for me. As a 74-year-old smoker, I need to stay way from possible infection if I can.

[totodeinhere]

12. I think you would be perfectly safe inside your car. The danger point would be when you buy gas or

use a public restroom.

You could bring your own supplies with you from home so you would not have to go inside stores. If you have disposable nitrite gloves you could put the gloves on before pumping your gas, then carefully remove them before getting back in your car. That's how I bought gas recently. As far as going to the bathroom goes, I don't know what to recommend. I certainly would not want to use any public restrooms right now, but I guess if you have to go then gloves and a mask would be advisable. As gross as it may seem, you might want to consider taking a plastic bottle with you and peeing into it.

We are in an unprecedented crisis right now and I think in some cases there just are no good alternatives.