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Jack of All Trades,
Master of Nothing
Picture of 2000Z-71
posted
The promised rant about SeaTac. Long post warning.

Yes, I’m still pissed about not being able to get a beer during my 2-1/2 hour layover in SeaTac yesterday. But really, it was the shear ridiculousness of the Covid restrictions at the airport and the inconsistencies that they have created which just infuriated me.

Normally I’d just label what I observed in SeaTac yesterday as unintended consequences. But that would imply that thought and effort went into a deliberate act with good intentions which had unforeseen consequences. It would also imply that those consequences would be identified and efforts would be made to mitigate them. None of this has happened, I can only assume what I witnessed in SeaTac yesterday is just plain stupidity.

I am an ER nurse and I’ve seen the effects of Covid and know that some measures have to be taken to minimize its spread. I also spent my first career in design and construction with a lot of that time being spent in airport design. Maybe it’s my background and experience, or maybe it’s just common sense to see that the restrictions in effect at SeaTac are actually creating more issues that they’re solving.

SeaTac not only is a regional hub for the pacific northwest, they are also a major international airport as well as trans-continental hub. With passengers spending many hours on an arriving flight, time in the airport between flights and leaving again on what may possibly be another long flight, some sort of food and beverage service is not just a convenience issue, it is a requirement. From my observations approximately 50% of the food and beverage concessions at SeaTac are closed. The remaining concessionaires have closed their seating areas under orders from the governor and operate as walkup counter service only.

What this has done is force passengers to congregate and eat at the few tables that are in the common areas of the terminal and concourses. Wasn’t the goal of closing down the seating areas to promote social distancing and mitigate the spread of Covid? So how is forcing people together in the common areas any better than allowing for limited seating in the concessions?

Even worse, those that aren’t fortunate enough to find a table in the common areas congregate in the departure lounges to eat. Yep, sitting in the lounge seating trying to balance their food and drinks in the laps while they eat. Or worse yet sitting on the floor while they eat. So now we have a numerous instances of food being dropped and drinks being spilled on the floor. Yes in SeaTac, an airport with a history of rat infestations in the concourse. Lindsey Lohan’s sheets are the only surface that I can imagine being dirtier than the floor in an airport. So how is this promoting a clean and sanitary environment to limit the spread of Covid?

Then there’s the whole prohibition on sales of alcohol in the airport. What the hell? Didn’t we try prohibition once in this country and found the unintended consequences were worse than the benefits? Does the 21st Amendment to the Constitution not apply in Seattle? What does prohibition of alcohol have to do with mitigating the spread of Covid anyway? Can someone explain to me how prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the airport a public health issue and not just an exercise of power by the state government.

How is it that I could sit down in the morning at well spaced seating in the airport bar at Sky Harbor in Phoenix have a breakfast burrito along with a beer, margarita and bloody Mary if I so chose and not be able to sit and eat in SeaTac or worse yet not be allowed to have a beer with my burger? How is it perfectly allowable to sip on a Coke, slurp coffee, suck ice tea though a straw or chug a bottle water but drinking a beer will somehow unleash the 11th Biblical plague of Covid?

Sorry, but if I have to put up with a 3-1/2 hour flight in from Phoenix with a little crotch goblin kicking the back of my seat, deal with the inconveniences of construction at SeaTac, endure riding in their train system with the unwashed mashes of the Seattle grunge scene between terminals; denying me a beer is a clear violation of my 8th Amendment right of protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

Wonder why people are so upset and divided on the issue of Covid mandates? Look no further than SeaTac. It’s the act of government putting on the appearance of solving a problem while their actions actually result in worsening the situation. Yes, we do need to take action to promote public health and slow the spread of Covid. Closing everything down is not the answer. A measured response based on the facts; science, human behavior and economics is what is needed. Sadly I don’t think this is possible. We’ve become too divided as a society in which shouting each other down in the name of righteousness has become more important than having a debate while coming to an understanding and a compromise. We have elected officials who govern by soundbites rather than a reasoned approach.

Yes, I’m tired of Covid. I’m tired of watching my patients suffer with it. I’m tired of wearing an N-95 mask for the duration of a 12 hour shift at work. I’m tired of hearing both side of the debate yell back and forth at one another. Most of all, I’m just tired at the ridiculousness and inconsistencies of it all.





My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball.
 
Posts: 11749 | Location: Eagle River, AK | Registered: September 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of vthoky
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Nicely done, sir!




God bless America.
 
Posts: 13425 | Location: The mountainous part of Hokie Nation! | Registered: July 15, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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A fine rant! COVID is contagious and even more contagious is the stupidity associated with it.


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
 
Posts: 16004 | Location: Marquette MI | Registered: July 08, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of konata88
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I’ll say it again: because of the rampant irrationality of government and the apparent lack of both education and logic/common sense, we need metrics for each law and edict to measure the efficacy of the objective. Laws and edicts that don’t meet success criteria are automatically eliminated. Reasonable person and benefits must clearly outweigh any burden on society.




"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
 
Posts: 12683 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Joy Maker
Picture of airsoft guy
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Governor Douche Sock is just trying to keep us safe! Why do you both hate science, and want my meemaw to die?



quote:
Originally posted by Will938:
If you don't become a screen writer for comedy movies, then you're an asshole.
 
Posts: 16995 | Location: Washington State | Registered: April 04, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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In MN the ONLY place you can get a beer inside is the MSP airport (or casinos on tribal land). The governor so graciously is letting bars/restaurants seat outside at 25% capacity - outside (absolutely no shelter) - in MN - in Dec.




I reject your reality and substitute my own.
--Adam Savage, MythBusters
 
Posts: 1745 | Location: Red Wing, MN | Registered: January 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Jack of All Trades,
Master of Nothing
Picture of 2000Z-71
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by sreding:
In MN the ONLY place you can get a beer inside is the MSP airport (or casinos on tribal land). The governor so graciously is letting bars/restaurants seat outside at 25% capacity - outside (absolutely no shelter) - in MN - in Dec.

Anchorage city council took similar action. No indoor dining, but outside is permitted; in Alaska in December. Some restaurants have set up outside tents and even inflatable igloos with gas fired patio heaters at great expense to try and remain open. It's ridiculous; too dangerous to eat inside with air filtration, but hey you can sit outside inside of a tent!




My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball.
 
Posts: 11749 | Location: Eagle River, AK | Registered: September 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of sourdough44
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Saw that in MI too, can’t sit inside, but outside in a cold, ENCLOSED tent or igloo is O.K..

Covid stupidity is rampant.
 
Posts: 6129 | Location: WI | Registered: February 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Told cops where to go for over 29 years…
Picture of 911Boss
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We just came back from a visit to Vegas, the best part of that trip was being able to sit in restaurants to eat. Something we haven’t been able to do for 9 months in western WA.

It is all about power and control.






What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???


 
Posts: 10917 | Location: Western WA state for just a few more years... | Registered: February 17, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Alea iacta est
Picture of Beancooker
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Lindsey Lohan’s sheets are the only surface that I can imagine being dirtier than the floor in an airport.


This is the best thing I have read all day. I was actually laughing hard enough that my wife was staring at me for a moment.



quote:
Originally posted by parabellum: You must have your pants custom tailored to fit your massive balls.
The “lol” thread
 
Posts: 4023 | Location: Staring down at you with disdain, from the spooky mountaintop castle.  | Registered: November 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Striker in waiting
Picture of BurtonRW
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I was going to bitch about my Southwest flights this week (I end up flying Southwest about once every five years - this time due to flight schedule/availability - and remind myself why I never fly Southwest, but that’s general stuff...), but my Covid-related flying rant will fit nicely here.

So Southwest, already a fairly shitty airline, barely a notch above Spirit from what I can tell, has suspended normal beverage/food service due to Covid paranoia. They’ve been advised to do so by some anomalous body of top men (Top. Men.) What they’re doing instead is offering water and a small bag of snack mix only. Because that somehow reduces contact whereas offering me a mini-can of Coke or a bag of peanuts instead of the water and snack mix would immediately draw the attention of the Covidz and I would die, along with the passengers to my right and left.

What really makes me laugh and shake my head is that the water is served not in sealed bottles, but in those little airline cups, on a tray of a dozen or more at a time, where everyone being offered said water in front of you gets to breathe on, sneeze at, and otherwise expose said Covid-proof water to their covidness and other germy bits.

What sense does any of that make?

-Rob




I predict that there will be many suggestions and statements about the law made here, and some of them will be spectacularly wrong. - jhe888

A=A
 
Posts: 16263 | Location: Maryland, AA Co. | Registered: March 16, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Rumors of my death
are greatly exaggerated
Picture of coloradohunter44
posted Hide Post
Well written rant. Did you take the time to look up a few email addresses and forward this to some of the gov officials who manage this airport? Those dumb asses need to hear it.



"Someday I hope to be half the man my bird-dog thinks I am."

FBLM LGB!
 
Posts: 10895 | Location: Commirado | Registered: July 23, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Jack of All Trades,
Master of Nothing
Picture of 2000Z-71
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
Well written rant. Did you take the time to look up a few email addresses and forward this to some of the gov officials who manage this airport? Those dumb asses need to hear it.

Not yet, but I did write to Alaska Airlines. I let them know how bad conditions have deteriorated at SeaTac just in the last 2-1/2 years since I have moved to Alaska. I also let them know that I will make every effort in my travel planning to avoid transferring in SeaTac even if that means booking on Delta through Salt Lake or on United through Denver.




My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball.
 
Posts: 11749 | Location: Eagle River, AK | Registered: September 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I spoke with my state rep this week (he lives on the next block.) He believes common sense will prevail next session in our statehouse; he has introduced a bill limit the "emergency powers" of the governor to 28 days, after that they must clear the statehouse every 28 days.
 
Posts: 17121 | Location: Lexington, KY | Registered: October 15, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Pretty much the same as every other airport in the country.
 
Posts: 6650 | Registered: September 13, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Striker in waiting
Picture of BurtonRW
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Pretty much the same as every other airport in the country.


Plenty of food and alcohol at FLL this week.

-Rob




I predict that there will be many suggestions and statements about the law made here, and some of them will be spectacularly wrong. - jhe888

A=A
 
Posts: 16263 | Location: Maryland, AA Co. | Registered: March 16, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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There are a few places that have something open, but not many. Domestically, or abroad. It's the same everywhere.
 
Posts: 6650 | Registered: September 13, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Jack of All Trades,
Master of Nothing
Picture of 2000Z-71
posted Hide Post
^^^ Not everywhere.

Food and beverage concessions were open at Sky Harbor in Phoenix with spaced out seating. Alcohol was also available.

It wasn't so much the lack of a beer that infuriated me. It was just the idiocy of the restrictions put in place at SeaTac that actually caused worse conditions than what they were trying to prevent.




My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball.
 
Posts: 11749 | Location: Eagle River, AK | Registered: September 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I was just at Skyharbor. Numerous facilities closed in each of the terminals. It's been that way most of the year. Seattle has been that way all year, too.

Bottom line right now, if you're traveling, bring your own snacks and plan ahead.

Southwest is no different than other carriers in that services for now are spartan.
 
Posts: 6650 | Registered: September 13, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Stop Talking, Start Doing
posted Hide Post
Excellent bitch.

Seattle (and Washington in general) has quickly become one of the laughing stocks in America (more so than its ever been) ... Jay Inslee is a fucking clueless joke of a governor. It’s embarrassing.

I moved my family six hours away over the Summer to escape the Seattle bullshit. We’re still under Chairman Inslee’s rule here, at the state level, but at least all of the localized politics bleed red.

Fuck Seattle!


_______________
Mind. Over. Matter.
 
Posts: 5070 | Location: The (R)ight side of Washington State | Registered: August 31, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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