How safe to fly part 2

Ricky M

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 19, 2017
1,905
1,319
66
Los Angeles
✟130,544.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
[STAFF EDITED]

Anyway, the issue is, I've been in lockdown in Los Angeles since 1st of March. But our home in MN needs attention - the alarm system has failed and is sending out false alarms, the basement sump needs to be connected to the outside discharge, the hvac filter needs changing. My plan is to fly Southwest from Burbank - Phoenix - Omaha, with the transfer in PHX literally being stepping off one plane and onto the next. Uber ride to the storage lot to pick up the car (5 minutes max), 4 hour drive thru corn country to our home in a small farm town. I have paper, cloth, and P95 masks (P95 being the industrial version of the N95). Also have EMS belt pouches that hold gloves, wipes, and sanitizer. I'm a retired firefighter/emt so I'm up on sanitary techniques. And while being 63 with copd is a concern, I'm pretty sure I actually had C19 in late February with few issues (felt tired for 3 days, then felt fine but lost taste and smell for 10 days). My only contacts in MN will be the grocery and hardware stores.

I'm not too worried about the flights, they are running 95% empty and the airline and airports are sanitizing the snot out of things. The Uber ride will be my biggest exposure.

The faulty alarm and sump are my main concerns. Too many false alarms and they'll fine me. Same if the sump is not routed to an outside discharge. I've contacted the medical center in town to let them know I'm coming, so far they've not expressed any concerns.

God has ALWAYS remarkably blessed my travels between the 2 locations. Maybe at this point I'm not looking so much for opinions as prayers that He will continue to do so. But your thoughts and opinions are welcome.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

dqhall

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 21, 2015
7,547
4,171
Florida
Visit site
✟766,603.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Anyway, the issue is, I've been in lockdown in Los Angeles since 1st of March. But our home in MN needs attention - the alarm system has failed and is sending out false alarms, the basement sump needs to be connected to the outside discharge, the hvac filter needs changing. My plan is to fly Southwest from Burbank - Phoenix - Omaha, with the transfer in PHX literally being stepping off one plane and onto the next. Uber ride to the storage lot to pick up the car (5 minutes max), 4 hour drive thru corn country to our home in a small farm town. I have paper, cloth, and P95 masks (P95 being the industrial version of the N95). Also have EMS belt pouches that hold gloves, wipes, and sanitizer. I'm a retired firefighter/emt so I'm up on sanitary techniques. And while being 63 with copd is a concern, I'm pretty sure I actually had C19 in late February with few issues (felt tired for 3 days, then felt fine but lost taste and smell for 10 days). My only contacts in MN will be the grocery and hardware stores.

I'm not too worried about the flights, they are running 95% empty and the airline and airports are sanitizing the snot out of things. The Uber ride will be my biggest exposure.

The faulty alarm and sump are my main concerns. Too many false alarms and they'll fine me. Same if the sump is not routed to an outside discharge. I've contacted the medical center in town to let them know I'm coming, so far they've not expressed any concerns.

God has ALWAYS remarkably blessed my travels between the 2 locations. Maybe at this point I'm not looking so much for opinions as prayers that He will continue to do so. But your thoughts and opinions are welcome.
Quest Diagnostics does an antibody test for about $100. They are a nationwide testing center/lab corp. No prescription necessary.

I agree with the previous post. You might need to use a licensed, bonded, insured handyman in MN and send him a copy of your key. In my complex some residents went north for the summer and paid a house watcher a monthly fee to watch their homes. I suppose some of them have keys in case of emergency repairs needed.

The hvac filter is not an emergency. Some people do not change them, but after a year or more. Am not sure about the alarm system or sump pump.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0

Ricky M

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 19, 2017
1,905
1,319
66
Los Angeles
✟130,544.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Can't you simply pay somebody to do all this work for you - pay a locksmith to break into your place, and then a repair guy to fix what needs to be fixed? Would that be more expensive than a flight?
The flight is actually free. Thanks to the Southwest credit card, nearly one out of 3 flights is free. And I find that if I hire people to do work when I'm not there, they just won't do it right and I end up having to re-do it myself anyway.
 
Upvote 0

Ricky M

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 19, 2017
1,905
1,319
66
Los Angeles
✟130,544.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Quest Diagnostics does an antibody test for about $100. They are a nationwide testing center/lab corp. No prescription necessary.

I agree with the previous post. You might need to use a licensed, bonded, insured handyman in MN and send him a copy of your key. In my complex some residents went north for the summer and paid a house watcher a monthly fee to watch their homes. I suppose some of them have keys in case of emergency repairs needed.

The hvac filter is not an emergency. Some people do not change them, but after a year or more. Am not sure about the alarm system or sump pump.
There is another motive, being that I just have to get out of our LA house. Peace between I and the wife depends on having some apart time now and then. And like I said, having people work on things while I'm not there invariably leads to me having to do it over/correctly later myself.

I checked into the antibody test but there are no appointments available before I leave. Besides, early indications are that having the antibodies does not necessarily confer immunity. I offered to let them test me as soon as I arrive, but so far they've said nothing.
 
Upvote 0

Ricky M

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 19, 2017
1,905
1,319
66
Los Angeles
✟130,544.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
If you are concerned about the Uber ride, can you not rent a car at the airport at which you land and then return it to a location near your home? Car rental is much cheaper than people think.
We keep a car in a storage unit about 3 miles from the airport (it's actually cheaper and more secure than airport parking). Just far enough to make walking to it a pain with luggage.
 
Upvote 0

Ricky M

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 19, 2017
1,905
1,319
66
Los Angeles
✟130,544.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Well I made it. The first leg was half full, the second 1/3. I was surprised at how many people weren't wearing masks - especially among the flight crew and elderly. Changed clothes as soon as I got the car out of storage, changed again and showered as soon as I got home. Now the clock runs - isolate and self quarantine for 2 weeks.

But here's the funny thing ... as I got off the plane in Omaha, the muzak in the airport was playing "what a beautiful Name". Instrumental, of course, but there was no mistaking the melody. And as I hit the road the radio station played pretty much the whole list of worship music from my church out here. God and I may be at loggerheads over a lot of stuff, but He's always blessed my travels. And I do thank Him for that. Thank You Lord.

And thank you people for praying for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bèlla
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums