CNBC’s “Shepard Smith Reports: Air Travel in Turmoil”

In a new CNBC documentary, Shepard Smith examines the effect the pandemic has had on the U.S. air travel system, and the millions of people who rely on it. CNBC focuses a spotlight on one airport in particular – New York City’s LaGuardia – to see how its vital workers are trying to save their industry and their jobs. Smith introduces viewers to the gate agents, flight crews, taxi drivers and others who make it possible for us to travel, and who are now holding on for economic life as they wait for flyers to return in significant numbers.

VIDEO CLIPS:

Shepard Smith Reports: Air Travel in Turmoil

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/09/shepard-smith-reports-air-travel-in-turmoil.html

CNBC’s Shepard Smith investigates the effect of the pandemic on U.S. airlines and the impact on tens of thousands of essential workers trying to keep America flying.

An unlikely essential worker

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/12/an-unlikely-essential-worker.html

As a devoted airline employee, Marielyne Marcelin never expected she’d become an essential worker. Her job has taken on even more significance since COVID-19.

Flying during the COVID-19 pandemic

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/12/flying-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html

Captain Peter Loparnos, a 34-year veteran with American Airlines, came down with COVID in the spring, as did many of his colleagues and family members. He’s back on the flight deck and explains how the airline’s cleaning and filtration protocols make him feel comfortable being in the airplane for hours on end.

How clean is your flight?

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/12/how-clean-is-your-flight.html

Airlines have gone to great lengths to highlight their cleaning and filtration protocols to regain the confidence of their passengers. Just how clean is your flight?

A flight attendant lands on the furlough list

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/12/a-flight-attendant-lands-on-the-furlough-list.html

As part of the CARES Act, airlines got $25 billion to go exclusively toward paying their employees – to keep skilled workers on the job and planes in the air. But now, that money’s run out and thousands of aviation workers are facing unexpected turbulence: losing their jobs and their health care, in the middle of a pandemic.

The tough times of a taxi driver

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/10/12/the-tough-times-of-a-taxi-driver.html

Taxi and ride-share app drivers talk about the difficulties of working during a pandemic — in a job where you can’t work from home.