D
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Please take note: This post is NOT a prediction of when COVID-19 will no longer be a communicable disease threat as a pandemic. Nor is this post providing advice as to what others may decide to do in planning THEIR Caminos. I made this post with no argument or observations as to what public health agencies or governments are saying and advising, or WILL say or advise in the future.
This post is simply one person's decision on how to proceed with planning IN CASE a pilgrimage is able to be undertaken, and if the relevant agencies and governments give a green light to proceed with travel to, and within, the EU and America.
I do hope that any conversation will avoid statements and predictions and judgement about IF my plans will come to fruition or not. Some of the WHO, CDC, Pasteur, and various other Infectious Disease agencies and health organization's models may come to pass, and I do not discount that. I am also aware that scenario modeling of this disease includes all potentials for long and shorter term impacts to the population at large.
Hence, my planning for the best scenario, and preparing for the worst scenario. . as it relates to how I am approaching Camino.
I am not arguing that these plans will be able to occur. Only that they are made in case there is normalized travel by then.
So, IF things normalize, what methods can one use to plan ahead to secure things like airline reservations? Or lodging reservations? My post below is how I am going about such things.
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This fall, from late September to late October, I am planning to walk two Caminos: The Aragones first, and then the Portuguese from Porto to SdC. The Aragones I will walk with my oldest son, Caleb. The Portuguese, with my wife, Jill.
Caleb and I will finish the Aragones, and then arrive in Porto in time to meet Jill when she arrives in Porto. After two days together in Porto, Caleb will fly home, and Jill and I will start the pilgrimage north.
I have worked a career in public health and as a medical provider. I am totally cognizant of how the disease tracking and rate of disease spread is unfolding. I am up to date on the current knowledge of international travel restrictions. I say this because I am not disconnected from reality, but I am not of a mind to simply wait until the dust settles on events, before planning on a return to normal travel and function. . whenever that might be.
My planning is based on the premise that whatever is done, MUST have the ability to be canceled without incurring any penalty to finances or vacation time.
I am semi-retired and have a consulting practice. I can arrange time off and then cancel it without losing vacation time.
My wife Jill, is a Charge Nurse on a Pediatric Unit at our regional hospital. Her problem is securing time off ahead of time. But, if she decides to cancel that scheduled time-off, there is no loss of vacation time, or the inability to be placed back on the work schedule. . . the hospital fills in vacation time with temporary professionals like traveling nurses, so are only more than happy to avoid paying higher wages to a temporary worker.
Caleb is with a company that allows complete flexibility with scheduling paid time off (PTO). That flexibility is based on taking time either AFTER a project is completed, or BEFORE an assigned project with specific deadlines is assigned. Caleb was able to arrange for a late fall 14 day leave from work, but like his mom, if Camino plans are cancelled, he has no loss to accumulated PTO. He simply goes back to work as normal.
So for me to plan these two Caminos, the issue of PTO being lost due to not taking it after it is scheduled, is not an issue.
The next issue was the most problematic as one of the largest Camino-related expenses. Airline travel. How does one assure full refunds, with the least risk and hassle, if last minute cancellations are made? OR, if one wishes to change a date for travel? To me, BOTH options- either a full refund, or a non-penalty ticket change, based on what I want to do - must be available as part of the airline's ticket policy.
I did not consider travel interruption or cancellation insurance. I've gone that route before and have had to use it. I do not like either the extra cost OR the red-tape hoops I needed to jump through in order to be reimbursed. Nope.
Instead, I wanted to obtain tickets that, when purchased via a credit card, would allow me to call the airline and tell them I want to cancel my ticket, and then have that purchase price refunded to my credit account.
For that level of flexibility for reimbursement, it often requires the purchase of a 'flex-fare' ticket based on a premium economy or business class fare. That extra cost can be more than the cost of a travel interruption policy. But sometimes, it is not that great a dollar or Euro difference.
Caleb and I will be flying out of Denver, where Caleb moved to after his time as an Army Officer was completed. I will be traveling down and visiting Caleb from my home town anyway, so it made sense to simply stay and travel with Caleb.
I ended up purchasing ticket reservations for all of us with Norwegian Airlines 'Business Class'. Now, this is a 'Business Class' that is less posh than on the major airlines, but it is still far more roomy in seat size and leg space than even the best premium economy seats with those larger boys.
In fact, the primary difference in the business class comfort and 'sitability' of the seats themselves, (when comparing Norwegian and the large airlines) has to do with how far back the seats recline. They do not lie flat. For me, the reclineability of Norwegian Air seats is plenty adequate.
PLUS, all of the usual amenities for beverages (soda pop and water for me, please), and meal services that are typical for 'business class' are still there on Norwegian Air, if not as elaborate as the menu offerings in the higher priced airlines.
Cost penalty. . none. Not if I was to compare the 'Premium Flex' fare rate of Norwegian, (which includes my choice of either a FULLY refundable ticket OR changeable dates) with the Economy+ fare of the larger airlines which does not include refundable tickets. I had also considered Condor and Icelandair as well; I have flown with all three before, and all three are comfortable enough for 14 hours of airplane sitting. It just happened that Norwegian Air was the best cost/benefit choice for me.
I found these airline choices through my research of what airlines fly the routes I needed. There were other 'economy' airlines to consider as well. But airline choices are going to be different based on location.
If I lived in a location where I could NOT obtain good cost tickets, that were fully refundable by the airline, I would not have been planning a late fall Camino
Lodging. Well, lodging is all done with Booking.com or Hotel.com. In a pinch, Airbnb. IF camino walking is open late fall, I have no idea what numbers of fellow pilgrims might be on the Camino. Therefore, where bottlenecks of lodging or albergue availability may be seen, I've pre-booked ahead. All reservations can be cancelled.
Ground Transportation. Getting from Paris to Pau to Somport for the Aragones was a bit more complicated. Going from Paris to Pau was easy. But the issue of getting the 90 or so kilometers from Pau to the Somport-Candanchu area on the French side was a bit more problematic.
Right now, there are no reliable public transit schedules available this far in advance. No trains, shuttles, or buses are showing definitive times and dates for late September, and that is normal even when COVID-19 was not at issue. Schedules are often limited to 90 days in advance.
So I got a quote from a local Pau taxi company and negotiated a pretty reasonable rate for a reservation pickup at the Pau airport. . compared to normal taxi fares. I did make sure that cancellation could be made up to 24 hours in advance. I allowed the 'sharing' of the taxi with up to two more passengers as part of the deal, as long as there are no signs of coughing and sneezing or runny noses
So, that's it. IF Camino travel becomes tenable, everything important is in place. If Camino plans need to be cancelled, I am not out any money, and Jill and Caleb do not sacrifice vacation time that is not used.
Again, this is just what I am doing. . . primarily because I can do it. For those who are going to wait and see, what I am doing is not a challenge or a criticism to your decision. If it was risking my money to do the planning I did, I would be waiting with you.
Anyway. . how are any of you on the Forum doing with similar planning?
This post is simply one person's decision on how to proceed with planning IN CASE a pilgrimage is able to be undertaken, and if the relevant agencies and governments give a green light to proceed with travel to, and within, the EU and America.
I do hope that any conversation will avoid statements and predictions and judgement about IF my plans will come to fruition or not. Some of the WHO, CDC, Pasteur, and various other Infectious Disease agencies and health organization's models may come to pass, and I do not discount that. I am also aware that scenario modeling of this disease includes all potentials for long and shorter term impacts to the population at large.
Hence, my planning for the best scenario, and preparing for the worst scenario. . as it relates to how I am approaching Camino.
I am not arguing that these plans will be able to occur. Only that they are made in case there is normalized travel by then.
So, IF things normalize, what methods can one use to plan ahead to secure things like airline reservations? Or lodging reservations? My post below is how I am going about such things.
----------------------------------------
This fall, from late September to late October, I am planning to walk two Caminos: The Aragones first, and then the Portuguese from Porto to SdC. The Aragones I will walk with my oldest son, Caleb. The Portuguese, with my wife, Jill.
Caleb and I will finish the Aragones, and then arrive in Porto in time to meet Jill when she arrives in Porto. After two days together in Porto, Caleb will fly home, and Jill and I will start the pilgrimage north.
I have worked a career in public health and as a medical provider. I am totally cognizant of how the disease tracking and rate of disease spread is unfolding. I am up to date on the current knowledge of international travel restrictions. I say this because I am not disconnected from reality, but I am not of a mind to simply wait until the dust settles on events, before planning on a return to normal travel and function. . whenever that might be.
My planning is based on the premise that whatever is done, MUST have the ability to be canceled without incurring any penalty to finances or vacation time.
I am semi-retired and have a consulting practice. I can arrange time off and then cancel it without losing vacation time.
My wife Jill, is a Charge Nurse on a Pediatric Unit at our regional hospital. Her problem is securing time off ahead of time. But, if she decides to cancel that scheduled time-off, there is no loss of vacation time, or the inability to be placed back on the work schedule. . . the hospital fills in vacation time with temporary professionals like traveling nurses, so are only more than happy to avoid paying higher wages to a temporary worker.
Caleb is with a company that allows complete flexibility with scheduling paid time off (PTO). That flexibility is based on taking time either AFTER a project is completed, or BEFORE an assigned project with specific deadlines is assigned. Caleb was able to arrange for a late fall 14 day leave from work, but like his mom, if Camino plans are cancelled, he has no loss to accumulated PTO. He simply goes back to work as normal.
So for me to plan these two Caminos, the issue of PTO being lost due to not taking it after it is scheduled, is not an issue.
The next issue was the most problematic as one of the largest Camino-related expenses. Airline travel. How does one assure full refunds, with the least risk and hassle, if last minute cancellations are made? OR, if one wishes to change a date for travel? To me, BOTH options- either a full refund, or a non-penalty ticket change, based on what I want to do - must be available as part of the airline's ticket policy.
I did not consider travel interruption or cancellation insurance. I've gone that route before and have had to use it. I do not like either the extra cost OR the red-tape hoops I needed to jump through in order to be reimbursed. Nope.
Instead, I wanted to obtain tickets that, when purchased via a credit card, would allow me to call the airline and tell them I want to cancel my ticket, and then have that purchase price refunded to my credit account.
For that level of flexibility for reimbursement, it often requires the purchase of a 'flex-fare' ticket based on a premium economy or business class fare. That extra cost can be more than the cost of a travel interruption policy. But sometimes, it is not that great a dollar or Euro difference.
Caleb and I will be flying out of Denver, where Caleb moved to after his time as an Army Officer was completed. I will be traveling down and visiting Caleb from my home town anyway, so it made sense to simply stay and travel with Caleb.
I ended up purchasing ticket reservations for all of us with Norwegian Airlines 'Business Class'. Now, this is a 'Business Class' that is less posh than on the major airlines, but it is still far more roomy in seat size and leg space than even the best premium economy seats with those larger boys.
In fact, the primary difference in the business class comfort and 'sitability' of the seats themselves, (when comparing Norwegian and the large airlines) has to do with how far back the seats recline. They do not lie flat. For me, the reclineability of Norwegian Air seats is plenty adequate.
PLUS, all of the usual amenities for beverages (soda pop and water for me, please), and meal services that are typical for 'business class' are still there on Norwegian Air, if not as elaborate as the menu offerings in the higher priced airlines.
Cost penalty. . none. Not if I was to compare the 'Premium Flex' fare rate of Norwegian, (which includes my choice of either a FULLY refundable ticket OR changeable dates) with the Economy+ fare of the larger airlines which does not include refundable tickets. I had also considered Condor and Icelandair as well; I have flown with all three before, and all three are comfortable enough for 14 hours of airplane sitting. It just happened that Norwegian Air was the best cost/benefit choice for me.
I found these airline choices through my research of what airlines fly the routes I needed. There were other 'economy' airlines to consider as well. But airline choices are going to be different based on location.
If I lived in a location where I could NOT obtain good cost tickets, that were fully refundable by the airline, I would not have been planning a late fall Camino
Lodging. Well, lodging is all done with Booking.com or Hotel.com. In a pinch, Airbnb. IF camino walking is open late fall, I have no idea what numbers of fellow pilgrims might be on the Camino. Therefore, where bottlenecks of lodging or albergue availability may be seen, I've pre-booked ahead. All reservations can be cancelled.
Ground Transportation. Getting from Paris to Pau to Somport for the Aragones was a bit more complicated. Going from Paris to Pau was easy. But the issue of getting the 90 or so kilometers from Pau to the Somport-Candanchu area on the French side was a bit more problematic.
Right now, there are no reliable public transit schedules available this far in advance. No trains, shuttles, or buses are showing definitive times and dates for late September, and that is normal even when COVID-19 was not at issue. Schedules are often limited to 90 days in advance.
So I got a quote from a local Pau taxi company and negotiated a pretty reasonable rate for a reservation pickup at the Pau airport. . compared to normal taxi fares. I did make sure that cancellation could be made up to 24 hours in advance. I allowed the 'sharing' of the taxi with up to two more passengers as part of the deal, as long as there are no signs of coughing and sneezing or runny noses
So, that's it. IF Camino travel becomes tenable, everything important is in place. If Camino plans need to be cancelled, I am not out any money, and Jill and Caleb do not sacrifice vacation time that is not used.
Again, this is just what I am doing. . . primarily because I can do it. For those who are going to wait and see, what I am doing is not a challenge or a criticism to your decision. If it was risking my money to do the planning I did, I would be waiting with you.
Anyway. . how are any of you on the Forum doing with similar planning?
I’m planning on the same but in reverse. 
