Travellers back in the air with no cover

HOW differently it feels now to enter an airport and jump on a plane without a mask. No scratchy face guard to irritate, suffocate or fog reading glasses.

It’s amazing the difference — but that’s what I experienced on a trip to Sydney this week for the first time.

By the amount of traffic moving through airports at both ends it’s clear that Aussies have gotten back their airravel groove.

It was a relatively good experience despite some trepidation after the recent headlines about late or cancelled flights and long waits for baggage.

While I did have to wait for almost 45 minutes for my bag at Sydney, Cairns’ baggage handlers provided good karma in the form of the quickest experience I've ever had when travelling.

News of a fourth Covid-19 wave shouldn’t be dismissed as trivial. There are always the vulnerable in our community and we, as individuals, should always be looking at safe hygiene practices and adhering to medical advice where and when necessary.

Before Covid there weren’t many Australians who would feel comfortable about wearing a mask but that has changed. During my two flights there were people wearing them even though it is not mandatory, including an older couple who sat next to me.

I have said many times since the mandates ended that I would wear one in areas I felt social distancing was no longer possible including in aeroplanes if I felt vulnerable, which is why I packed one this week. Unfortunately I locked it in my checked luggage – both flights.

It seems some habits die quickly.