The moment of truth
Due to the mass layoffs that took place in the airline industry earlier this month on top of lack of traveler demand, schedules to some cities have been cut severely. Because of this, my closest airport was unfortunately not an option for this trip, and I found myself traveling 2½ to Columbus, Ohio to secure a decent airfare and schedule. For those with Wanderlust, particularly during this time, you need to be flexible, and this was a small price to pay other than I hate not supporting my local.
Check-in at the airport really did not differ from pre-Coronavirus days with the exception of the presence of social distancing markers when queuing, screens at the ticket counters and free hand sanitizer stations. That and the fact that both airport personnel and travelers alike are in masks which are currently mandated from the time you enter the airport, throughout your flight, and in most cases until you reach your accommodations at your destinations. The most remarkable difference, and one that could potentially result in serious consequence, was that it personally took us 10-15 minutes at the ticket counter to check-in. My husband and I are frequent flyers and (for the most part) have our packing down and well within our limits. We are usually pretty to quick process and International flights may take us 5 minutes to check-in depending on the agent and their familiarity with entering passport information.
Bear this in mind: in the event a passenger lands in a foreign country without proper documents in order, as well as the massive issues it causes the passenger, the airlines at first point of origin are fined extremely heavily for ever allowing the traveler to board in the first place and are held ultimately responsible. It is a terrible and serious situation that involves the top brass back down to every agent involved in those flights. If you have ever been in a hurry and had a young airline agent take extra minutes fumbling over your passport or questioning a superior on completing your check-in process, please understand the weight they carry and that the after-math if they are wrong is great. The airlines now have the added responsibility of ensuring at check-in that each passenger meets all Coronavirus requirements in addition to the valid immigration documents. Not only is this brand new but each country is different, sometimes by huge degrees.
At my company, we are doing everything we can to stay on top of the regulations as they happen, but the only thing constant right now is change. This can be down to something as seemingly small as when the Coronavirus test clock starts ticking requires acute attention to detail. Two destinations that both have a 72-hour window for example, can vary on if that begins before the flight departs the USA or when it lands there. Again, this one facet alone can carry huge ramifications if you have it wrong. Go back to when I gave myself every precious moment I could when facing a short window to take my test. The difference in that 3-hour take off versus landing time could be monumental if take the test too early.
Whether it was the size of the airport, the time of day, or the sign of our times, despite a little bit longer time at the counter, check-in for us was a still fast and painless, however I see this issue compounding quickly as travel starts to pick up if every check-in takes 10 minutes or more when it used to take 5. One thing I have learned over the years, having been fortunate enough to have traveled quite a bit, is that whenever you are able, lower your stress factor. Traveling already comes with so many variables and unforeseen disruptions. For the ones within your control, do so whenever possible! I cannot name a single trip where I regretted giving myself extra time at the airport or choosing a longer connection window. I can painfully recall those that would have gone much smoother, or at the very least had less impact on my blood pressure, when I did not. I would argue that this holds true now more than ever. That being said, this is all unfamiliar territory, just as when the skies first opened after September 11th. There are unfamiliar processes being introduced, new curves to learn, but in time it will also become more efficient. I see apps and health passes as part of our future to expedite the verification process until they are no longer needed, but it takes time to work through this. If you want to travel now, just give yourself plenty of wiggle room.
Both my flights (each approx. 2.5 hours) were unremarkable with the only difference being that everyone was in masks and no cabin service. Should you need a cup of water you could request one, but certainly packing snacks for yourself, eating a meal before or between flights, and packing a refillable drinking bottle are all highly recommended.
Despite all our documents being thoroughly scrutinized at Columbus, all passengers were required to check in at the gate to have them inspected again before boarding started. For our flight to Costa Rica, we were requested to produce them to the agent at the Miami gate. I heard a similar announcement for a flight to Jamaica, however they were requesting a completed health pass. Again, each country is different, and we had currently one of the most complex requirements to meet. The gate agents were meticulous on each and every passenger – once again an argument for giving yourself plenty of time where available. I worked for several years for American Airlines many years ago before and during September 11th and the monumental changes that followed. I sympathize with the airline staffs’ current situation and new responsibilities, no doubt all the while under the shadow of being laid off at a moment’s notice, but in my opinion, they did a solid job. My only complaint is that the initial announcements I heard were not clear who exactly needed to produce the documents. The way the first one was worded made me feel it did not apply to me as I had already had my documents checked in Columbus. But after a couple more announcements and the fact that we know what they say about assuming, I went up there and sure enough they needed to see them prior to boarding in Miami. If the hubby had not hounded me, I may have skipped going up there for fear of being a bother. Note to self – these are uncertain times with constant changes – when in doubt, check and recheck. Better to be a nuisance than left watching your plane leave without you!
While my personal experience was painless, I cannot say the same for everyone. In my short time at the counter I witnessed two separate people denied clearance due to lack of correct documentation. The first was a young man I felt terribly sorry for as he did not have his driver’s license or state ID with him. He produced a photo of it on his phone (I am assuming he left it at home thinking he wouldn’t be driving on vacation and had someone send him a snapshot), but it was not sufficient. Until November 1, only select states are permitted to enter Costa Rica, which is determined by their reported positivity rates. It is essential until then to prove residency in one those that are approved and anything other than the official physical ID is unacceptable. The other was an older gentleman who had produced a negative test result, but it was a rapid test, currently not acceptable to most countries including Costa Rica.
I have been living and breathing Coronavirus, so to speak, in all but the actual virus itself since February. I believe it is my job to stay on top of every factor, discussion, trial, and protocol implementation. Every member of my team knows the acute differences between a PCR-test and a rapid one, other terminology such as molecular, antigen and so forth. I can even tell you about tests in other countries that are not even on the table here yet (but I see as a potential option sometime soon), down to certain labs’ test sensitivity levels. The requirement that states specifically a PCR-test is simple language to me, but in my situation, it is easy to forget that not everyone keeps up on or even understands this. We counsel our clients, in the hope that this will never be a situation they find themselves in, but it is so dynamic that if I am being brutally honest, I will never, ever, say never. This gentleman clearly had no idea (understandably) and I overheard him telling someone on the other end of the phone that “there are apparently two different types of tests and I have the wrong one”. How each of these passengers got as far as the gate and wasn’t caught at the counter I do not have the answer for, but it is a stark reminder that if you are traveling somewhere that has criteria, that you ensure you understand it completely and are diligent on ensuring you have all that you need ready and in your possession. The young man was about the age of my son and the elder about the age of my Father. Both appeared to be traveling alone and confused why they were not able to travel today. They are on my mind as I write this and have been since I saw them at the gate.
This post has been far longer than I had originally planned, and I truly thank whoever has continued to read it this far for sticking with me. I am known to “waffle” at times so I shall keep this last note brief because honestly it was. Arrival in Costa Rica was simple and fast. The first thing we encountered after we deplaned was airport staff requesting the Costa Rican Health Pass QR code issued after submitting our negative test, and other info before we traveled. Passengers did not even reach the immigration desk without it. A quick scan of our phones or print out took seconds. From there, Immigration and Customs was completely normal, and due to lack of crowds, a cake walk. The entire process literally took the same time as my check-in at the counter in Columbus which was 15 minutes or less.
In conclusion, I feel the same as I did at the beginning of this entire experience as far as the world needs tourism and it cannot continue to wait. At the same time, be it going to your local grocery store, restaurant or getting on a plane, everything must be a personal decision and done with care and consciousness. Having now run the gauntlet myself, I honestly believe that the overall system works. There are definitely flaws, issues to work through, and if you are part of the by-catch that is not just unfortunate, it is personally a disaster. But with a fragmented system and everything being brand new, until there is a globally coordinated response in place, it was actually down-right impressive. If you are seeking to travel right now, firstly God Bless You (not only from me and my agents, but more importantly for the people who are critically suffering) and second, check, check and check again. Cover every detail. Take your time, breathe deeply, and take things in bite-size pieces. If you have that luxury, the rewards are indescribable.
Addendum: While finalizing this post, and to demonstrate just how quickly things can change, particularly if it involves loosening restrictions (in my experience so far, more notice has been given in advance when it has been tightening), Costa Rica announced last Friday that a test will no longer be required at all beginning on October 26. And on November 1st, all 50 states may enter Costa Rica. Another week and both passengers mentioned above would have had smooth sailing. A shame for them but great news for those looking for what is now a simple easy place to get away.
