With coronavirus scaring away would-be travelers, DFW Airport has become a ghost town
On Monday morning at what is typically one of the busiest airports in the world, passing through security took three minutes, which almost makes any flight right now worth the risk.
At Gate A36, American Airlines’ Flight 2745 for Raleigh-Durham began its boarding process with the agent announcing, “Group 1 passengers may board at this time.”
One person boarded.
“Group 2,” she said.
No one.
“Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 may board,” she said.
Zero.
“Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,” she said.
Four people.
After she announced the nine groups could board, a total of 11 passengers had their tickets scanned. At least four of them were American Airlines employees.
Of the many places affected by the stay-at-home orders all over the world, no location casts a more unnerving, surreal, scene than the airport. DFW International Airport is now the mall where people used to shop.
To gain access behind security at DFW Airport and see what this scene of desolation looks like, I had to buy a ticket. Forty-eight hours before my trip — which, by the way, I did not take — I purchased a one-way ticket to Las Vegas on American Airlines for $28.
As someone who flew immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I was prepared to see a similar, empty scene. But flying in the time of the coronavirus makes post-9/11 air travel looked like a rave.
By 11 a.m., the American Airlines ticket agent estimated she had taken care of “maybe 15 or so” passengers. Her shift began at 5 a.m.
Monday morning should have been crowded and uncomfortable, a crush of people greeting the start of another work week or getting a jump start on an Easter getaway.
However, on this Monday morning, multiple security points were closed. Those that were open had just a few passengers, all of whom followed strict social distancing procedures that are now a part of everyday life.
American Airlines, the largest carrier operating here, typically handles about 900 flights a day out of DFW. Today, that number has been cut by at least two-thirds, depending on which type of flight you include.
Nearly 35 percent of DFW’s flights are non-passenger. Those operational flights are currently grounded.
Over at Gate C33, American Flight 2188 to West Palm Beach, Fla., had nine people. Six of them were in American Airlines gear.
“Dead heading” is quite popular these days, as airline employees now jump on planes to fly anywhere with no hassle.
“Not a lot of people going to West Palm Beach,” the gate agent said over the intercom. “A reminder there is no meal service on this flight. So if you want to get something to eat, get a meal to go from one of the restaurants here inside the terminal.”
About that.
Most restaurants, stores and shops are closed. Signs that read, “This location is temporarily closed” are littered on storefronts through DFW, including places such as Starbucks.
Still trying to fly
The irony is that while some people may be too scared to fly, or can’t because of government restriction, the airport appears to be much safer than a trip the grocery store.
Start with the crowds. You could sling a herd of elephants at DFW Airport and not hit a soul.
The Skylink train ride between terminals often featured two, or zero, passengers.
There were packs of men and women in Texas Highway Patrol uniforms. They were there as part of the national executive order to check passengers who land from “restricted” areas so they register and quarantine for 14 days.
Cleaning crews were seemingly everywhere. Crews constantly wiped down everything with disinfectant.
The chairs at gates, which are often connected, are spaced out more.
Employees from international carriers, such as Japan Airlines, all wore masks. Employees from domestic carriers did not appear to be as concerned, and few wore masks or gloves.
It appears that about half of the passengers are taking extra precautions with masks and gloves.
The airlines now practice social distancing on actual flights. Boarding procedures are now “spaced out.”
The people who do fly are almost assured of sitting in a row by themselves, a feature nearly extinct in the era of the “we have an extremely full flight today.”
For the restaurants and shops that are open, it all depends on the company. Maybe a quarter of the restaurants, shops and kiosks were open throughout the airport.
At Terminal A, the high-end clothier Ertekin Fashion was open. The man working the store said he was given the option of taking a shift. When asked how many customers he’s seeing these days, he responds with, “Not a lot.”
At The Flying Saucer at Terminal D, manager Sherry Walch said employees were given the choice to stay at home if they were uncomfortable working in such conditions.
“I feel like I can take the right precautions for my team and myself,” she said. “Every morning we sanitize it all. After a guest leaves, we sanitize anywhere they touch. Overall, we are still profiting enough.”
Servers are not allowed to come beyond the bar. There are not that many guests.
“The people in the airport are far more cautious,” she said. “They know the guidelines and follow them. If you go to Wal-Mart or something like that, there are people there who don’t care.”
Walch is like the rest of us. We don’t have a clue when this will end. Until it does, her plan is to come to work and service the few travelers who still fly.
Once one of the busiest airports in the world, DFW International looks almost dead.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 6:19 PM.
