Flight travel during Covid - Page 58 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

sureLoss · 03-16-2022, 05:53 AM

Just came back from a trip to Florida.

Was able to get a NAAT test through Walgreens day before flight left.

Easy to book an appointment online through Walgreens website, although I would recommend booking an appointment at least a week in advance as times fill out fast.

If you need a US address when booking the test just use your Hotel's / AirBnb address

Walgreens website tells you that they prefer you use their drive-thru to do the test and if you don't have a car to call the store and make other arrangements.

Drive-thru was easy, pharmacist confirmed who I was with my Alberta driver's license, then passed me a swab through the box in the window, instructed me how to swab my nose, and then had the swab put back in the wrapper and passed back.

Got the results via e-mail within an hour even though she told me it could take 3-24 hours. Walgreen's website said results within 2 hours.

All free of charge.

Also the NAAT test counts as a molecular test for Canada so can be done within 72 hours of your flight's departure, if it fits your schedule better. Some of their locations provide PCR tests but they say 48 hours to get results depending on how busy the logjam is at the lab.

calgarygeologist · 03-16-2022, 10:12 AM

CBC is reporting that the mandatory testing for vaccinated travelers into Canada will be ending at the end of the month. I'm so happy to hear that!

MacDaddy77 · 03-16-2022, 10:38 AM

why wait? they could just announce effective immediately no pre arrival testing required.

PepsiFree · 03-16-2022, 10:44 AM

Would be nice for the US to follow suit

What are they pretending to care about COVID anyway?

Weitz · 03-16-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I can't remember if you recently tested positive and have a PCR result for traveling but if you had to test in Vegas was it still pretty easy to find a free test down there?

We took switch health antigen tests this time. Worked like a breeze.

Rubicant · 03-16-2022, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

CBC is reporting that the mandatory testing for vaccinated travelers into Canada will be ending at the end of the month. I'm so happy to hear that!

Would prefer it happened before we had to fly home this weekend, but good news nonetheless.

Amethyst · 03-16-2022, 05:18 PM

I considered going away next week, but the testing requirement made me decide against it. One more headache that I didn't need. Maybe in the summer.

malcolmk14 · 03-16-2022, 05:48 PM

We're going to Palm Springs on Saturday and have pre-departure rapid tests booked for Friday afternoon.

Still have to book the return tests. Any advice?

tvp2003 · 03-16-2022, 06:21 PM

Sounds like it will start April 1. Too bad, a week earlier would have been ideal...

Weitz · 03-16-2022, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

We're going to Palm Springs on Saturday and have pre-departure rapid tests booked for Friday afternoon.

Still have to book the return tests. Any advice?

We did CVS for free tests in Palm Springs.

KootenayFlamesFan · 03-17-2022, 01:55 AM

My family is coming back to Canada on the 30th. Would've been great if they just did away with it tomorrow, or Monday. Arggggggg.

Zulu29 · 03-17-2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Just came back from a trip to Florida.

Was able to get a NAAT test through Walgreens day before flight left.

Easy to book an appointment online through Walgreens website, although I would recommend booking an appointment at least a week in advance as times fill out fast.

If you need a US address when booking the test just use your Hotel's / AirBnb address

Walgreens website tells you that they prefer you use their drive-thru to do the test and if you don't have a car to call the store and make other arrangements.

Drive-thru was easy, pharmacist confirmed who I was with my Alberta driver's license, then passed me a swab through the box in the window, instructed me how to swab my nose, and then had the swab put back in the wrapper and passed back.

Got the results via e-mail within an hour even though she told me it could take 3-24 hours. Walgreen's website said results within 2 hours.

All free of charge.

Also the NAAT test counts as a molecular test for Canada so can be done within 72 hours of your flight's departure, if it fits your schedule better. Some of their locations provide PCR tests but they say 48 hours to get results depending on how busy the logjam is at the lab.

That’s awesome the NAAT counts as molecular! I’ll be doing that for sure within that 72 hour window. I’m in Hawaii with the fam right now and that’s one less thing for me to worry about now. Thanks sureloss

csnarpy · 03-17-2022, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulu29

That’s awesome the NAAT counts as molecular! I’ll be doing that for sure within that 72 hour window. I’m in Hawaii with the fam right now and that’s one less thing for me to worry about now. Thanks sureloss

I’d investigate this, Hawaii is whole different egg with regards to testing and foreign access for free tests.

calgaryred · 03-18-2022, 11:23 PM

Just did my NAAT test at a Walgreens in Washington State easy peasy took maybe 5 minutes for me and my wife to get it done. Got neg results in 90 minutes, and best of all its free.

Amethyst · 03-19-2022, 10:30 AM

I'm possibly flying to Portugal this summer, with a connection in Toronto. Should I be allowing extra time for the connection? I would rather wait a bit than be stressed out about rushing to make a connection.

bossy22 · 03-19-2022, 11:51 AM

So, we are heading to Maui tomorrow. Our flight to come home is on March 31st, but it's a red eye and we land in Calgary on April 1st? Do we still need to do the test before we leave Maui?

Zulu29 · 03-19-2022, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossy22

So, we are heading to Maui tomorrow. Our flight to come home is on March 31st, but it's a red eye and we land in Calgary on April 1st? Do we still need to do the test before we leave Maui?

Edit-Calgary geologist is right

redforever · 03-20-2022, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I'm possibly flying to Portugal this summer, with a connection in Toronto. Should I be allowing extra time for the connection? I would rather wait a bit than be stressed out about rushing to make a connection.

Personally, I always allow extra time going through Toronto, usually at least 2.5 hours.

calgarygeologist · 03-20-2022, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossy22

So, we are heading to Maui tomorrow. Our flight to come home is on March 31st, but it's a red eye and we land in Calgary on April 1st? Do we still need to do the test before we leave Maui?

If your flight departs Maui on March 31 you would actually be required to still get the pre-arrival test before boarding your flight to Canada. Whether or not the airline actually cares or makes an exemption because of the expiration of the testing requirement is unknown.

Weitz · 03-20-2022, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I'm possibly flying to Portugal this summer, with a connection in Toronto. Should I be allowing extra time for the connection? I would rather wait a bit than be stressed out about rushing to make a connection.

Flying out isn’t as much of a concern as coming back. 2 hours should be plenty to get a meal and organized before the second leg.