Commercial Fixed Wing
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
This pairing was built as a deadhead out in Aircraft X with us flying the same aircraft back. C/S agent in ZZZ was fully compliant to COVID policies and asked that I pre-board in order to give her more space with other passengers. FAs on the aircraft did not all have masks on (was okay; we weren't boarding yet); but as the flight went on; I noticed that FAs often did not have masks on; and were seen by passengers handling the snacks without masks on. The passenger next to me; also no mask; slept most of the flight; but other passengers in First Class (I was assigned [first class seat]) did notice the FA behavior. Given the sensitive situation; I simply pointed at my own mask and nodded. The two attendants up front then seemed to keep the masks on. Note: When food and bottled water is handed out; people; including myself are forced to pull mask up/down in order to eat. ZZZ2-ZZZ (Our leg):We were unable to get paperwork prior to departure ZZZ. When I got release -- on taxi-in ZZZ1 -- I saw release-1 showing a different aircraft type. I accepted release and got off to walk to our new gate. C/S in ZZZ1 was not mask compliant (mask around neck but not on face). When I returned from walk-around; the aircraft was boarding normally: jetway full; line down aisle; etc. FAs again did not all have masks 'up'. I said something like; 'I know it's hard; but the masks are important.' Not sure she heard me; but she did put it up as she went to the middle to deal with a developing seat issue. I went to the flight deck and did my thing. Within a few minutes; the Purser returned to say; we have a belligerent passenger that just cussed me out because of a seat being occupied. 'He used f-bombs and called me several expletives.' Wanting to resolve the problem; I waited for the C/S agent (different guy; and this one had a mask and gloves on) to arrive and I followed him back. The man had a mask on his face. He told the gate agent that company was not complying with promises made on their booking. 'I booked this seat and it showed no occupant here;' he pointed at well-masked young man in [the seat]. 'I can't have this man in this seat.' The C/S agent explained that the booking said 'If available' and that we had to accommodate additional passengers.' C/S agent said; 'You are welcome to de-plane and I'll book you on another flight.' He said; 'I'm staying; I have a connection in ZZZ.' The C/S agent looked at me; and I said to the man; 'Well; we have the issue of how you treated my Purser.' He mentioned being scared; and that he'd not do that again. I said; 'Okay; I'll want to hear what you say to her; as I'm leaving that decision up to her.' I also offered him use of an N-95; if I could find one. He said pointing to his mask; 'This covers better than the N-95; so no thanks; I don't need that.' He apologized to the FA Purser and ensured he be calm going forward. The Purser could have said; 'Okay; thank you;' but of course; she didn't. She said loudly that; (paraphrase) 'What you did is unacceptable; and if you repeat that behavior in any way; there will be security to meet you at the gate.' The passenger nodded and said simply; (paraphrase) 'I'm scared; I wasn't supposed to have a person next to me.' There were many side conversations and other more minor passenger complaints such as requests for seat moves; and requests for passenger mask use; and reports of FA non-use of masks that I won't get into.My FO was freaked out by the fact that he'd likely be furloughed. I spent a while addressing those concerns. I went over the governmental support; etc. He calmed down enough that I felt we'd be okay; but also told him this was my first flight in [XX]-days and that we'd both need to be on our A-game; as there were likely to be errors resulting from these many threats. Also talked about how each error itself would become a threat. FO made takeoff at his request and I made landing at ZZZ. There were many errors made due to rustiness; and we spent severalminutes in the cockpit with the debrief card. There were no FAR deviations during the segment.
Air carrier Captain reported various issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic including FAs not properly using masks; passenger complaints regarding seating issues and lack of flying time.