Pilot Recommends Holiday Travelers Follow Safety Guidelines during Pandemic

OMAHA, Neb. --- With the holiday season right around the corner, there are concerns about the spread of COVID-19 as people set travel plans to celebrate the holidays.

From his six years of experience as a commercial airline pilot, Justin Abrams said the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year.

“More of those pilots are given a set schedule just because the demand and the amount of flights and airline might do throughout that month is increased,” Abrams said.

Like what most people do on a holiday basis, UNO student Danny Bolanos is flying out to San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, to celebrate Thanksgiving with his relatives.

Several concerns crossing Bolanos’ mind surround COVID-19. One of them is not ending up in a similar situation as his father during a trip to El Salvador.

“He was there in March, and they closed down the countries,” Bolanos said. “Nobody could get in or out. He was stuck there for a while and he planned on coming back just days after the initial outbreak started.”

One way Bolanos is checking his health status is by screening himself through the One Check App. This is a way for uses, like Bolanos, to occasionally to report any COVID-19 symptoms in a small questionnaire.

“I think it’s a good idea, Bolanos said. “It’s really easy, anyone can figure it out, and I feel like it’s very accurate. I feel like it’s a good way to keep everybody in check.”

Airlines and airports started enforcing safety precautions and social distancing to guarantee safe travel for passengers. As an experienced pilot and traveler, Abrams recommends travelers to engage in these practices.

“I would be more concerned about having already have it and then bring it to where I’m going and spreading it to whoever I see there then necessarily catching it on an airplane,” he said.

Some guidelines in place include wearing masks, having an empty middle seat, and thorough cleaning after passengers exit the plane. Abrams shows confidence in the rules set in place for the passengers and staff.

“I think as long as everybody follows these precautions that are set forth and do their best to stay away from people when they’re in the airport,” Abrams said. “Not even on the airplane, but just when they’re in the airport, making sure people aren’t congregating in areas. I think things will end up a lot better than they could.”

With Bolanos' departure date quickly approaching, Bolanos is confident he’ll travel safely during Thanksgiving.

“People are starting to take it more seriously,” Bolanos said. “They’re starting to be more cautious and traveling has been going on for a while.”

UNO encourages all students and staff to download the One Check app on their phones to report any possible COVID-19 symptoms. Those traveling are recommended to check with the airport and their airlines regarding their health and safety protocols.