Jenna Pettit, a senior at UWYO, visited her family over the Thanksgiving break and noted the differences that the COVID pandemic has created for travelers.
“It was different because it was less crowded on the shuttle and everyone had to wear a mask. On the plane, the middle seat was kept open. There were also more dogs than usual on the flight,” Pettit said.
But that does not mean that certain aspects of flying weren’t the same as they always have been.
“The airport was still just as crowded as usual and so was the flight,” Pettit said.
So, while the number of travelers remains high, precautions have been put in place to ensure the safest possible conditions for all passengers. This creates unique traveling conditions that do have some positives according to Pettit.
“I think it was easier to travel because I had more room on the shuttle and the flight and I don’t like to feel cramped,” Pettit said.
But with all of these factors combining, Pettit was still less stressed than usual when it comes to traveling, especially considering the current state of the world.
“The pandemic didn’t really make me feel worried about traveling because my age group and I personally aren’t really at risk if we get COVID and I don’t have pre-existing conditions. I am more worried about me getting it and giving it to someone in my family like my parents who are older and at risk,” Pettit said.
Pettit also commented on the need for careful planning well before she even boarded the shuttle to go to the airport.
“The only decision COVID played in my travel plans was the week before I was coming home, I made sure to be careful with who I was spending my time with. I didn’t see anyone other than who I was already seeing and was regularly getting COVID tested like I was. My family also wanted to make sure I had my results before traveling,” Pettit said.
As so many things have because of COVID, traveling and the way that we do it has changed. But as one student experienced, not all of these changes have been for the worst.
