Well this sure is an interesting one... American flies to London for 24 hours An American Airlines sales executive posted on his LinkedIn about a 24 hour trip he took to London to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for American Airlines' move to Heathrow Terminal 5, which happened this week. Here's his full post, with…
Continue reading: Did An American Airlines Executive Violate UK Quarantine Rules? (Update)
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Go ahead and post his name (and the other names). He's already gone public by putting it on Linked In, so his cover is blown.
This is ridiculously irresponsible. There’s a reason why Europe has been successful in containing the virus and for this man to advocate breaking quarantine is ridiculous. He deserves to be blacklisted
What you’re missing is that there is an exemption in the quarantine legislation for people travelling to leave the country. They are still subject to quarantine but the specific trip to the airport in order to leave the country doesn’t count, provided it is done directly. The exemption can be found in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020), Part 2, 4.(9).a.
Nice when some questions are easy 🙂
@ Chris D -- I'm not talking about the trip to & from the airport, but does that cover having business dinner with colleagues? Wouldn't he still have to stay in his accommodation while in London? And is this useful advice that can be shared with others about how Americans don't necessarily have to go into a 14 day quarantine if traveling to the UK?
AA couldn't find a local executive to cut a ribbon, for a long anticipated move, made possible by a massive cut in flights globally? This is so stupid. Like it even matters that AA and BA are co-locating.
@Ben - Interesting. I didn’t see he had done that. That is odd!
Two possibilties, both very clearly against the spirit of the legislation:
1 / the gathering happened in Heathrow airside, and he then proceeded to his hotel and quarantined
2 / he listed the property where the meal took place as his quarantine address - the legislation only stops you leaving that address without excuse, not from gathering with others who live there (or come to there).
There are other exceptions both in the Schengen Area and in the UK for airline personnel, that are part of the unpublished "guidance" rather than the published "regulations". In the case of some Schengen countries, it has been interpreted to include anyone traveling on airline concessionary tickets (including non-employees on "buddy passes").
Like many things in life, you can violate the spirit without necessarily violating the letter.
I live in Berlin and am American. I have met multiple people visiting Germany from the US for tourism and have had zero issue getting into DE. The issue is getting on the plane. If the airline allows you on then as an American you "should" have minimal issue when you land in AMS or CDG or LHR and transfer and con't you on to DE. I spoke to a border agent at FRA airport and he told me that technically it is legal for Americans to arrive, its if you arrive with Covid and they can trace you back to the airline you flew then the airline can be fined. Now I am not saying that this is the case for sure as people tend to embellish; however, I have spoken to 3 sets of Americans and they pretty much all had the same story. 2 of the 3 folks said they had "a letter" from a German company that asked them to travel to DE...and clearly this was not the case.
When he says "I will write in a post on Monday as to why Americans don’t necessarily need to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival in the UK ", that certainly suggests that whatever loophole he thinks applies is not specific to his employment for the airline.
I'm a UK citizen who lives in the US. Last week I travelled back to the UK to be with family for the next few months. With that experience I have a good sense of the rules; this guy broke the rules. They are pretty clear. He contravened them. There are no loopholes for people visiting from the US, including UK citizens. His behavior during his time here was irresponsible, and it is irresponsible if he tries to convince others to follow suit. Quite frankly, not following the rules is precisely why the US is struggling at the moment and precisely why countries aren't making exceptions for travelers from the US.
American Airlines should take steps to prevent him from communicating his non-existent loopholes and should distance themselves from his irresponsible behabior.
This guy broke the rules - plain and simple. The arrogance required to assume that the rules don’t apply to you and the to publicly boast about your exploits is breathtaking. I hope American Airlines rapidly condemns this egregious breach of the law and makes clear this guy was acting entirely on his own initiative.
I believe there is also an exception for frequent business travellers who go back and forth very often (like weekly). I don’t think he would qualify for it but the exception is there.
He traveled for a specific, essential work event that his employer required him to attend, so this was not a leisure trip. Canada and the UK both allow exemptions for Americans on essential travel for work.
@Sam would be great if you could point me to the specific exemption this guy relied upon? I’m desperate to visit my business partners in London but I’ve been advised that there’s zero exemption for business travel. I’ve read the regulations a few dozen times and can’t find anything that suggests a business traveller would be exempt. The exemptions are really limited. Aircrew, medical staff, prison escorts etc.
As I say would be great if you could share the relevant exemption in the regs.
Thanks!
@ Sam -- Can you point us to that exemption please? And that's not even addressing whether attending a ribbon cutting ceremony is "essential."
I imagine, by the rules, it would be acceptable to be in the UK for less than 14 days. For example, fly over and "[stay] with friends or family" or a resort for a week then go home.
I don't think his actions are reasonable, as he presumably was socializing with others.
But the UK guidelines specifically mention this scenario: "If you’re travelling to the UK for less than 14 days, you will be expected to self-isolate for the length of your stay."
He broke the rules. As for him acting on his own initiative, I cannot believe that no-one else at American knew he was taking this trip, and no-one raised a flag to indicate he shouldn't be doing so (even if he was senior enough to then be able to ignore that decision). As a MD at American, they should sanction him and call dissociate themselves from a stupid decision.
@ Anthony Thomas -- Americans can absolutely travel to the UK for less than 14 days, they simply have to quarantine the entire time. But as you mention, they couldn't socialize with others, and I think having a business dinner would qualify as such...
@Ben totally!
Interested to see if he attempts to justify his own actions in his post. Ultimately there is no chance that they'd check up on your actions I assume within the first 24 hours. So I guess it's carte blanche on arrival if you want it to be!
@sam
How is this essential?
If my employer made me fly for work right now, I d be reconsidering my employment there.
Simple $"$$. He doesn't care about others or the laws of other countries. Either UK takes action or by not they support these violations.
@Charlie: might need to switch to the “Content” button after entering the text
It's the same american ARROGANCE as always: "I can do whatever the F*ck I want--i got RIGHTS--your rules don't apply to ME!"
Notice NO mention of RESPONSIBILITIES!
I’m amazed as a foreigner working in the U.K. that people not resident in this country finding this acceptable behaviour. People here have a sense of civic duty and are generally following guidelines. How can anyone defend this as essential work. London transport is deserted as most people in non essential jobs are still furloughed. Essential work covers medical, water, power and nuclear energy related jobs. An airline executive isn’t one. The only exception is if you commute to England For work on a regular basis long term. Eg live a week in Spain then fly into England for a week before flying back to Spain. You have to have been doing this prior to COVID. I have a 3 month contract in Singapore and will need to quarantine when I return to the U.K. as I will not be covered as a regular commuter. Less thinking of what is best for the individual but think of what’s better for the communities we live in. I know it’s not a common way of thinking, but it will help save lives working together
Karen.. I mean Ben should relax. First of all, this is not a criminal or civil violation of a government mandate. He simply chose to ignore the recommendations.
If you would rather the government impose enforced quarantines, then have parliament pass a law.
At some point, all of us need to remember that we have free choice within the construct of laws. Irresponsible as it may well be, there's no reason to be so angry at the man. I get the sense that those who are the angriest are slightly jealous that they don't have the guts to not follow along like sheep.
Ben, I have a family member who recently travelled to London on his way to Spain, he was not allowed to board flight to Spain so he had to book a flight 1 day later to France, he was allowed by the UK authorities to leave airport go to hotel, etc, since he was scheduled to leave UK within 3 days of arrival.
It is a breach of the law, specifically, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020)
The maximum penalty is capped initially at £1000 but it still a criminal offence for which you can be issued with the aforementioned Fixed Penalty Notice and if you fail to pay that or contest it you will be brought before a court.
This individual needs to Be Identified PUBLICLY and face the consequences for being in Violation of the Quarantine Rule. He is No different than Any other Person and exempt like a Crew Member may be.
I just saw the LinkedIn post. This guy is an MD from Dallas and apparently in another post and picture a VP from Chicago also flew to London for this. They were not in the sterile transit area- there is a picture of them cutting a ribbon in the main check in hall. Both came to the UK from HIGH RISK US locations with explosive virus case for "business dinners" and "ribbon cutting". Totally arrogant, unnecessary and put the UK public at risk. American should fire all those involved in this and the UK government should investigate and institute sanctions against AA. My aunt died in a London hospital in April from the virus- I am livid that this is going unnoticed and that these people are coming in and putting my country at risk. I hope the UK papers expose this BS for what it is.
It was Hank Benedetti who is a sales MD based in Dallas. Info is there to see for anyone who cares to check on his public LinkedIn.
As an update to you all I have reported this matter along with all the relevant details and screenshots of the chap’s LinkedIn to the Metropolitan Police and have received an alleged crime Number.
I hope they fine him and his company.
Please. The UK government quarantine is a joke. Every other country quarantines as soon as you arrive but not the UK. I know someone who flew back to London and then took the Heathrow Express train to Paddington before changing onto the tube to go a few stops to reach his house. It does not work.
If the ribbon cutting occurred in the airport, there is no violation because travelers and those in transit are not subject to the quarantine rules for those entering the UK. I am not sure what the rules are for staying overnight during a long layover.
@dca to be fair our mask rules are very relaxed. It’s not required in restaurants or shops and even though it is required in public transport, staff do not enforce it. Our politicians don’t tend to wear masks so few people feel inclined to. Whilst this guy may not have directly broken our quarantine laws, (despite being reckless) I’m bemused that he thinks there is a loophole in the laws for Americans. The USA will likely be one of the last countries the UK will open up to due to its inability to control coronavirus.
This guy should be fired, fined, and perhaps jailed. And so should anyone else (including you, Ben) who is posting tricks that people will try to use to travel during the pandemic in violation of the letter of the law and the spirit of it.
It's simple: unless you have some truly essential need to travel (and that does NOT include the need to cut a ceremonial ribbon, or to post new content to your blog), you need to stay home. Period. And that applies to YOU, no matter how entitled you think you are.
Attending a ribbon cutting is not an essential business function. My airline would never expect me to break quarantine for something like this. Considering the times we are in, the Station Manager would have sufficed. SUPER ARROGANT
What's the point of not naming the person in the article if you allow comments that name and shame?
Talk about mob rule! Almost everyone in this post has already acted as judge , jury and executioner without knowing all the facts first. Maybe this guy is an arrogant, pompous ahole. Or maybe there is a legitimate loophole which we don't know about. What is scary is the reaction of most people posting here without knowing all the details.
As an American living in London, the UK does not care if you depart the country prior to the end of the 2 week quarantine. The only care if you stay In the country.
The news in Israel reported last night that a United Airlines crew member violated the quarantine she agreed to upon landing in the hotel (as all crew members commit to) and posted pics of herself on Instagram in a restaurant and at the beach
@ Fernsie - the language found in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020) is pretty straightforward and actually by the standards of the recent coronavirus regulations relatively well drafted!
I’m an English solicitor and whilst my speciality isn’t anywhere near this area of law I do know how to read a set of regulations and by Hank’s own admission he didn’t isolate - rather he attended a business dinner, cut a ribbon and generally behaved exactly as a senior sales executive would be expected to behave when on his travels. That’s not just a breach of the spirit of the regulations but also the letter.
Notwithstanding the above if you happen to be able to point me to the exemption provided for Sales Executives to have business dinners and attend opening ceremonies I’ll gladly retract my comments.
I don’t think he has to quarantine he works for AA and was there for official business
Fernsie I agree with you. It's shocking and disappointing.
I chalk it up to people being bored and angry that someone did what they didn't/can't/should't do. Hence the screams for vengeance!
Incredible. How was this thought to be a good idea? Flying in from a Covid-19 hotspot, breaking uk law and then hosting about it on social media. The man is clearly way out of his depth.
I don't see anywhere in his post where he says he left the airport, had dinner outside of the airport or stayed at a hotel. Is part of the post missing?
The spirit of the quarantine is to protect the people of the UK. Even if he didn't leave the airport and stayed somewhat within arms reach of the guidelines, he still potentially put them in danger which is pretty appalling for an airline executive in today's climate.
AAL is just tragically inept in so many ways. And in this one, the possibly broke international law. Waiting to see what reason he's going to give us on Monday for why Americans don't necessarily need to quarantine when going to the UK, aside from the published and known exemptions in place.
I hope the press and Chrissy Teigen pick up on this. I see it has hit some other blogs and forums and there are more detailed reports about how this was premeditated and was clear disregard for the rules. Posting photos in airport public areas--NOT transit areas--and boasting about dinners. Shame on this MD Hank Benedetti and the other executives from American Chicago and Dallas VP Franco Tedeschi and MD Rhett Workman for violating UK quarantine regulations. How dare they expose the UK public coming from high risk areas with explosive cases like TEXAS. Are they insane? I hope there is a full investigation and that fines are assessed. These American companies just doesn't get it- STAY HOME!
The curse of social media. The guy will probably lose his job over a stupid post. If kept his mouth shut he nobody would ever know he even existed.
@Mark only appalling because an airline exec did it? The author recently engaged in leisure travel which also is not in the spirit of quarantine. Where's the ire?
@John Doe the author did so within the rules applicable to him. AA exec entered the UK likely through an airline crew exemption which most certainly did not apply to him.
I'm just baffled how some people here seem to think that if it's a "legitimate loophole" (which is a contradiction because, if we have to call it a "loophole" is because it wasn't intended to be "legitimate" in the first place, but I digress…), then somehow, all bets are off, and you have a "right" to do it. Somehow, if a law doesn't close all potential loopholes ahead of time, then people's reaction is "hahaha, suckers…" And then it's funny that people on the one hand hate government overreach and over-regulation of your self-ascribed so-called "rights," but on the other call for laws or for laws to close the loopholes of other laws. You can't have it both ways. And then good luck with enforcing the laws. People will get violent and agitated when confronted, the cops are the only ones who can enforce laws, but then even if you're violent with the police, they have to suck it up because, you know, police brutality, so then we're at an impasse, and in the end, there's no law.
The fact of the matter is that all this is about doing the right thing, whether there's a law or not. It's just basic human behavior about being kind and considerate towards others. If we can't even do that, we're no different from animals.
I agree, this is horrible. This executive flew to a country with a covid death rate which is double that of the US!!! And like 10x that of Texas! Totally irresponsible behavior that he might bring this terrible thing back to Texas!
Hardly surprising for an AA executive... another example of why AA continues to have a ghastly corporate culture. And then you see junior analysts posting on Linkedin how AA "is the greatest airline on Earth." The Parker drinks must be going pretty strong. lol
I have a question that has nothing to do with this post but I can’t find an answer anywhere online. If a person who has a European passport but is a US permanent resident want to fly to Europe, will they be told they’re unable to fly to Europe due to the current travel restrictions? And what if they decided to fly via a layover in an EU country?
So funny all of the people here who think they know best. And say he should be fired, blah blah blah. Quarantines are absolute joke. If YOU want to stay home, be my guest. I’m planning to go to the UK twice in the upcoming months. Are the trips necessary? No.. but I’m doing what I want. Will I quarantine? Absolutely not. I don’t really care what anyone thinks. I’ll have fun while all of you ninnys sit at home.
I can confirm that entry into the EU at the moment is straightforward for any EU citizen flying to the US.
Want to avoid 14-day quarantine in the Schengen area? Declare that business is the motive of your trip and that you will be staying in the country of entry less than 5 days before moving on to a different country in the Schengen area. Simple as that?
Does this loophole make me an arrogant American?
@Common Sense - you may not have noticed but the UK left the EU a few months ago and was never part of Schengen. This article is about a breach of UK laws nothing to do with the EU.
Also @Common Sense: there is no common quarantine rule for Schengen countries anyway (not that the UK is part of Schengen). Each country sets its own rules. I live in Finland and there is quarantine even for those from Sweden (both countries are in the Schengen zone). The EU countries (schengen or not) decide on their own entry requirements, the EU makes recommendations but not decisions in this matter.
For sure we do not have any temporary 5 day waiver for business and we have strict entry rules for people coming from Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, France, Sweden and Czech Republic (all Schengen countries).
Not sure if it’s just me, but I find it increasingly difficult to tell what it is a real (but, frankly, moronically stupid) comment on OMAAT and what is just trolling (either standard or some weird state-sponsored Chinese/Russian thing). Can’t help but think it has something to do with the election being this year.
Talking particularly about comments from e.g. Pete above, for example.
@Tom no your not the only one, there are a few posters who are clearly using aliases to back up their own posts, every forum has a few trolls and after years of seeing this phenomenon I’ve learned not to feed them as it just boosts their egos further.
Airline employees are in the Essential Workers category and are exempt. They are allowed to "turn" same as a crew would after staying overnight.
Airline employees are in the Essential Workers category and are exempt. They are allowed to "turn" same as a crew would after staying overnight. Being in the Essential Worker category doesn't necessarily mean what you're traveling for is Essential to others...but when you work for an airline that's how it works
@Mindya Biz the regulations do indeed provide exemptions for airline crew - both operating and non operating. Those eligible for this crew based exemption are as defined in the relevant English Air Navigation Orders. As you perhaps might expect these do not include airline sales executives.
When I first read this story I thought exactly as you did but because the exemption had been specifically carved out as above it wouldn’t have applied in this case.
When you work for airline obeying the law is as they say how it works.
Hey Lucky, As American have admitted that there was no exception and that the Exec did indeed admit that the law was broken isn’t it time to update the headline of the article to a more definitive statement?
@mindya biz
Well, yes, in the USA and to a lesser Exeter in Europe airline workers are indeed included in the essential/key worker basked. And yes, there is an exemption in the relevant regulations for both flight and cabin crew. But in one of the better pieces of drafting we’ve seen from the government this pandemic season they’ve very clearly drawn a distinction as to who can claim that any exemption and I’m afraid airline sales executive at doesn’t cut. The crew able to are listed in the relevant Air Navigation Order and MD Strategic Sales isn’t one of the types of crew included.
Sorry that you find our English laws so damn pesky but I guess that’s how it works over here on this side of the pond.
@brian - it’s the same as someone driving drunk. People do it and ignore the law. Many don’t get caught. Some get killed. That’s why I think it’s arrogance and disrespectful to society.
Sir we got the resident visa for Sweden in march, it is nearly 4 months. Plz help us to reach our destiny which we waited so long for it.
Another gas lighting post by Ben who apparently has nothing better to do these days than to reel in Covid-19 topics.
How about you sit on your pretty bottom and see what the guy has to say before speculating and fueling a firestorm?
Surely this was a sanctioned event that was above board by both the airlines and the airport. Those who want to unmask and shame an individual without knowing the details ought to consider if they would do the same were it 1940’s and their neighbor was supporting a Jewish family in hiding. Mind your business folks and be nice to each other
He certainly needs on Monday to show that there was a true exemption otherwise the optics is of an airline executive flouting safety regulations which has to be bad PR.
Not just flouting it, but actually bragging about it. Quite a pair this guy has...
Porous Border
BC and Canada is filled with hundreds or probably thousands of Americans who are crossing the border for a holiday. They all claim they are "travelling by road to Alaska".
Unfortunately our Federal Government is not blocking these idiots.
Some Provinces are imposing $1000 per day fines on those who are caught staying in any one place other than overnight.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR COVID in FLORIDA, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA. We have enough of our own.
Interesting, I am an essential worker and unless I have the right get out of jail free letters, I get the same 14 day lockdown as anyone else if I travel to Europe. This dude broke the rules for some lame ass reason
I'm in no way defending the guy or his almost bragging attitude towards it, but if the scenario was like this, would it be OK....?
- He arrived at LHR for a less than 24 hour stay, so could almost be deemed as being in transit (although obviously not going onwards to a third country)
- For the night of his "transit", he "quarantined" in an airport hotel, where he had dinner with a colleague who had just arrived on another flight from the US
- The following morning, he travelled to T5 for check-in for his return flight. While in the check-in area, and before going through to airside, he cut a ribbon and had some photos taken, all the while respecting the 2 metre distance guidelines.
- He boarded his flight and off he went home.
It might be stretching the spirit of the law a little bit, but would this scenario really merit such a damning response?
@red_robbo I suspect your reading of what happened is probably accurate. The scenario you suggest would though, as I understand the law, still be a breach of the regulations.
The reality of the matter is that a person either commits an offence or they don’t and if as I believe an offence has been committed then the opprobrium that is being heaped on this man is appropriate particularly since they occupy a senior a role in the aviation industry and they chose to boast about their actions on a public forum. Indeed they told us they would post about how more Americans could avoid quarantine regulations.
I happen to think the quarantine regulations the government has imposed upon travellers into the U.K. are nonsensical but whilst they are the law it is contingent upon us all to obey them. If Mr Bernedetti is confident he didn’t break the law then when and if the police contact him (I see upthread a report has been made) he can explain himself to them and refuse to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice they may decide to issue and plead his case before a court. Notwithstanding that and regardless of his explanation I think he has exercised extremely poor judgement and his position at American Airlines is untenable and accordingly he should probably resign.
@u.k. Lawyer What if leadership at his employer told him to go? While we don’t know the specifics here as to why he went (I would assume to encourage travel) if at the behest of the company, fine the company but don’t vilify him.
@Bernard he definitely broke the law.
As an American living in the U.K. who is about to fly back there after a trip to visit family, I cannot find any exceptions to the quarantine rules that say it’s okay to have “business dinners” with colleagues either or not you are only staying for 24 hours.
Like many others on here I find it unbelievable this guy posted this in a public forum and now intends to follow up with other posts advising Americans how to avoid (or ignore) UK quarantine rules.
This is EXACTLY why the USA is in such a bad (and worsening) place right now while UK, Europe and Asia are slowly recovering.
In this case, since the guy was bragging about this in a public forum and intends to encourage others to break the rules, I really hope the U.K. government takes action against him.
@Travel Manager - if his company or manager encouraged the trip they should be ashamed of themselves And should also be held accountable. The hypocrisy of an airline encouraging an employee to break a law such as this would be peculiarly outrageous.
If Mr Benedetti was asked to do something unlawful he should have pushed back, refused and referred the matter to counsel/compliance. By not doing so he became complicit and by publicising the breach he simply aggravated his offence. If as you suggest his manager approved the trip then both the manager and Mr Benedetti should resign.
"I will write in a post on Monday as to why Americans don’t necessarily need to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival in the UK and also explain new forms that need to be completed prior to arrival both in the UK and the USA.
Ben, did the exec write the post or was the PR statement the last word?