Everett’s Paine Field begins screening traveler temperatures

For the first time in a while, we are seeing a slight uptick in airline passengers around the country. If you plan on flying soon, you should expect a much different experience.

Sea-Tac Airport responds to coronavirus with new steps for healthy travel

Paine Field rolled out a new temperature screening protocol this week. All passengers are hit with a thermal camera before reaching TSA. If you have a fever, you will get a further screening. It will be up to both the airline and the passenger to decide whether they can get on the plane.

The airport is also using a new ultraviolet technology to disinfect the terminal. It’s something that airports in other parts of the world have been using for years. The Everett passenger terminal is small so these changes make sense, although I’m not sure if this would be feasible at a larger airport like Sea-Tac.

If you are flying, you should really wear a mask. You might even be required to do so.

Jet Blue just implemented a mandatory mask program for passengers. Other airlines will hand out masks and encourage you to wear them. You should expect to see your flight attendants wearing them as well, and your in-flight service will likely be reduced. Some airlines are also handing out wipes and sanitizer.

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Most airlines are still blocking middle seats to maximize the distance between passengers. Some are even blocking seats near flight attendant jump seats.

There will be changes to boarding as well. Some airlines will only be boarding 10 people at a time to prevent the crowding at the plane door at the end of the jetway. United Airlines is going to start boarding the rear of the plane first. They will be going by rows, not groups.

Emirates Airlines is even requiring passengers leaving Dubai to have their blood drawn before flying. It is the same antibody test that Colleen and I took earlier this week. While we have to wait a few days for results, Emirates has the antibody results in just 10 minutes.

Right now, most airplanes flying in the U.S. are running between 5% and 10% occupancy.

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