Pandemic-era Trip Report: Bye San Diego! SAN-SFO United First
I arrived in California from China at the end of January, bags packed for staying just one week for Chinese New Year holiday. Then flights back to China were cancelled, and then the border closed. What started as a holiday of several days turned into nearly a year! But in October, China’s borders reopened to work-related residence permit holders, so eventually it was time to go back.
A few days ago in early December, I flew for the first time in 11 months. Over the past year, the measures to take to reduce the spread of COVID have become commonplace, with masks mandatory at the airport, and social distancing stickers - with a San Diego vibe - placed around areas like the check-in lines and security lines.
Still, in the overall journey, I think the airport part was the riskiest. At least in the US, while the COVID counter-measures are known, adherence is spotty. So at curbside, lots of people sending off their loved ones weren’t wearing masks. There was no social distancing at the security scanners, and people were wearing bandanas as face coverings, with the bottom open.
The other change during COVID times is the reduction in service levels due to decreased demand and cost containment on the part of airlines. So in San Diego, both the United Club and the Delta SkyClub were closed.
Instead, I waited by the gate, where seats were blocked. But here there were people in this area with masks off, eating and drinking.
Thankfully there wasn’t too much of a wait before boarding UA2480 to San Francisco.
Our plane was a Boeing 737-800.
Until just before the flight, I was one of only maybe 5 passengers in the 16 seat cabin. But the First Class went out full, presumably from upgrades.
At the boarding door, the flight attendants gave out alcohol sanitizing wipes. Even so, with muscle memory I just arrived at my seat and plopped down, forgetting to wipe the area first! I did eventually, with my stash of Clorox wipes.
I purposefully chose a set on the right side for some nice views taking off from San Diego, and they did not disappoint. A bittersweet farewell to my hometown, where in 2020 I spent more time than I previously had done since graduating from high school!
On board, a beverage service was offered, but I didn’t partake. I just didn’t feel safe having my mask off and drinking, while others around me were doing the same. I had expected the United All-in-one snack bag with bottled water and snacks to be offered, but it wasn’t. I guess the flight time was too short.
