This post is an addendum to my most recent post about airline mask enforcement – from just a few minutes ago.
In this article
United Announces Mask Compliance Will Be Enforced From June 18, 202 – For “at least” 60 Days
At the end of my last post I referenced a Tweet about United’s press release, but I felt it warranted a separate post.
Here’s the press release from United today.
Of note:
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.
and
Under this new policy, if a flight attendant notices or is informed of a customer onboard who is not wearing a face covering and that passenger does not fall within an exception, the flight attendant will proactively inform the customer that for the health and safety of everyone, face coverings are mandatory for all customers and crew on board. They will also offer to provide the customer with a mask if needed.
If the customer continues to be non-compliant, flight attendants will do their best to de-escalate the situation, again inform the customer of United’s policy, and provide the passenger with an In-Flight Mask policy reminder card. If a customer continues to not comply, the flight attendant will file a report of the incident, which will initiate a formal review process. Any final decision or actions regarding a customer’s future flight benefits will not occur onboard but instead take place after the flight has reached its destination and the security team has investigated the incident.
(Bolding mine.)
What I love about this…
While it puts the initial burden on the flight attendants, it doesn’t make them judge and jury – which is not a safe position to be in.
If a passenger refuses to comply, the flight attendant can let them know the potential consequences but then say it will be out of their hands. That alone may spark compliance without it escalating.
If it doesn’t, well, it will be up to United to figure out how to handle it.
I mentioned in the last post that the ADA creates a very tricky situation for the airlines as they can’t technically ask a passenger to prove anything, yet knowing you may face consequences – perhaps including revocation of your Mileage Plus account – may implore some to comply that otherwise might not feel inclined to.
I do think there needs to be something formal in this country akin to the type of certificate one needs for a service dog. They don’t need to know what your disability is, but we should require a medical doctor to certify that you cannot wear a mask for legitimate reasons. And then, again, there needs to be a method for accommodating such passengers in a way that does not risk anyone else’s safety.
I expect we can cue the chorus of “I’ll just fly another airline!” but that would mean avoiding Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
American Airlines issued a statement tonight as well indicating similar measures to United but without yet providing clarity on enforcement.
In other words, have fun with that…
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