Page 28 - May 20 TNT

Decked out in personal protective gear while conducting COVID-19 testing. the airplane back home, by ourselves, the hourly cost with fuel would be amount to $10,000 or so. But if we are sent back by airline, the tickets would cost less than $200 each on Allegiant, the local low-cost carrier. Thus, the next morning we make our way to Palm Springs Airport and check into our return flight home. The airport is crowded with facemask wearing people, all trying to stay at least 6 feet from each other, even in the long, snaking Starbucks coffee line. Our flight boards early, and I find myself about halfway back in the cabin in a tight middle seat, which is not at all comfortable. Concerns about proper “social distancing” seem to go out the window as other passengers board and walk down the aisle, literally making body contact with the person in front of them, while they handle the back of every seat. I am hoping no other passengers will arrive to fill my row, but no such luck. Early on, a male who appears healthy sits to my right, but I am encouraged that the window seat to my left remains empty. However, just before the cabin crew closes the door, an unwell looking elderly lady enters, obviously short of breath and with a face mask in place. She comes down the aisle coughing occasionally, looking directly at the seat numbers then back at her ticket, as slightly lost passengers often do. Then, yikes, without saying a word she stops at my row and points at the window seat right next to me. After some fussing around, she gets seated and I ask if the mask is to protect her from me or me from her. She does not find my 26 • TWIN & TURBINE / May 2020 Covington Aircraft Engines