Airline passengers are finding 'creative ways' to remove masks, American pilot says

American Airlines pilot Dennis Tajer has taken several flights during the coronavirus pandemic, both in the cockpit and as a union official, and has noticed something unsettling lately: passengers removing their masks for more than eating or drinking. "We’re starting to see people take creative ways on the aircraft of temporary relief from wearing the masks," he said. "You see it drop down over the nose. Or you might see it used as more of a chin guard,'' he said. Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, doesn't think the moves are malicious but "just natural human reactions.'' He said that while most passengers are complying with American's requirement to wear masks throughout the flight to thwart the spread of coronavirus, some are being lax. But without a federal mask mandate on planes it's hard for flight attendants to force compliance. American and other airlines have toughened their stance in recent weeks, warning travellers they risk not being able to fly again during the pandemic if they don't comply, but Tajer said that only goes so far. The US DoT and the FAA have not heeded repeated calls from airline union officials, consumer advocates and others for a mask mandate on planes.<br/>