Hello everyone, my name is Suzanne Sangiovese and I am the Commercial and Communications Director at Riskline, a travel risk intelligence company.
Riskline has more than a decade of experience working remotely as a geographically-distributed team and today, we operate in more than 12 countries and across nine different time zones. With our global team we thought we’d try something new and take a deeper look at local perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today I’m speaking with Diego Maloney, one of our Analysts for the Americas region at Riskline. Diego is normally based in Washington, D.C. but recently travelled back to his home state of Arizona. We’ll cover his insights on the impact of the pandemic on travel.
Suzanne Sangiovese: Hi Diego, how are you?
Diego Maloney: I am doing great Suzanne, how are you?
You recently travelled by plane from Washington, D.C. to Phoenix, Arizona. What was the situation like at the airports you travelled through? Did you notice any new measures in place? Were people maintaining social distance?
I noticed similar things at all the airports I travelled through. They were super empty with only one or two restaurants open and road traffic was condensed into a central location regarding arrivals and departures. TSA actually had to open a lane for me as the staff were on break when I arrived at the security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan International in DC which, after my several trips through that airport, is unheard of. Social distancing was self-enforced and people were generally respectful of each other’s space. Essentially all three airports I was in on my way back home were deserted which made for a very strange experience.
And your in-flight experience – how did it differ from domestic air travel pre-covid19?
Diego: The in-flight experience was unique in that flight attendants encouraged social distancing which was relatively easy to accomplish. There were no more than 13 people on each of my two flights, essentially giving me my own six rows which was nice. The airline staff also prevented people from sitting near the bathrooms at the back of the plane. The in-flight food and beverage service was not available.
You were living in Washington, D.C. as the outbreak hit. How do things compare in Phoenix?
Restrictions are essentially the same in DC and Phoenix so no there are no noticeable physical changes, however attitudes about the pandemic differ slightly. People in general seem more tense about the situation in DC whether it’s talking to friends, cab drivers or whomever. I think that is understandable given the city’s close proximity to New York as well as the fact that the area is more densely populated compared to Phoenix. I think that is also because life is less affected here. For example, people rarely use public transportation in Phoenix, myself included, which makes those types of restrictions felt to a lesser degree. Regardless, life seems to be at a standstill in both cities. I am glad I am able to wait this out with my family rather than alone in my apartment.
What coping strategies are you implementing at home to deal with this unprecedented situation?
Well my parents and I have been walking the dogs most days as we all need the exercise. Also, I am able to train with my former boxing coach here in Phoenix a couple times a week. That has made it a little bit easier after everything shut down in DC. Besides fitness, my family just got Hulu. I will start binge watching once I finish this semester at Johns Hopkins next week.
Read more on ‘duty of care’ in the new COVID-19 normal.
