Share this @internewscast.com

The late crush of holiday travelers is picking up steam, with about 2.7 million people expected to board flights on Wednesday and millions more planning to drive to Thanksgiving celebrations.

Airline officials say they are confident that they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred past holiday seasons, such as the meltdown at Southwest Airlines over last Christmas.

Airlines have added tens of thousands of employees in the last couple years, and Southwest says it has bought more winter equipment to keep planes moving even during sub-freezing temperatures.

Security lines at airports could be long because of the crowds. Delta Air Lines is telling passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight if they are traveling within the United States, three hours early if they’re flying overseas — and maybe earlier on Sunday and Monday.

The holiday will also test the Federal Aviation Administration, which faces shortages of air traffic controllers at key facilities that caused reductions in flights to the New York City area this summer and fall.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a news conference Monday that the government has prepared for holiday travel by hiring more air traffic controllers, opening new air routes along the East Coast and providing grants to airports for snowplows and deicing equipment.

Nearly three-fourths of flight delays are caused by weather, according to the FAA. The agency’s figures indicate that the rate of canceled flights is down this year from last year, when airlines didn’t have enough staff to handle the strong recovery in travel after the pandemic.

The Transportation Security Administration predicts that it will screen 2.7 million passengers Wednesday and a record 2.9 million on Sunday, the biggest day for return trips. That would narrowly beat TSA’s all-time mark set on June 30.

“We are ready for the holidays. We’re confident we have enough agents,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

He urged travelers to give themself extra time to get through busy airports and be considerate of TSA agents, gate agents and flight crews and others who are giving up their holidays.

“I just ask passengers to thank people for what they’re doing. They’re making sure the system is safe and secure. That’s a tall order,” he said.

AAA predicts that 55.4 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Wednesday and Sunday, the third-highest forecast ever by the auto club. AAA says most of them — 49.1 million — will drive.

Drivers will get a break from last year on gasoline prices. AAA says the nationwide average for gas was down to $3.29 a gallon on Tuesday, compared with $3.66 a year ago.

Air travelers will enjoy lower prices too. Airfares in October were down 13% from last year, according to government figures, and fares around Thanksgiving have been about 14% lower than a year ago, according to the travel site Hopper.

Even so, the high cost of rent, food, health care and other expenses were weighing on people’s travel plans.

Jason McQueary, a 25-year-old social worker and graduate student said rent and other essentials eat up most of his paycheck and he was grateful for his credit card points, which brought down the cost of his roundtrip flight from Denver to Chicago from $450 to $150.

“I was just like, ‘man, I’m glad I only come home once a year,’” said McQueary, who was waiting to get picked up Tuesday after arriving to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to spend Thanksgiving with family in his hometown of Byron, Illinois.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Israel announces immediate resumption of Gaza aid airdrops amid growing hunger crisis

Israel to Resume Gaza Aid Airdrops Immediately in Response to Worsening Hunger Crisis

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it would restart its airdrop operations…
Chicago weather today: Flood Warning for Cook, DuPage counties, rain could cause flash flooding on Saturday

Flood Warning Issued for Cook and DuPage Counties: Saturday’s Rain May Lead to Flash Flooding in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Some heavy pockets of rain are forecasted to make…
Photo of Sumaira Rajput, a TikTok star.

Tragedy Strikes: TikTok Influencer Found Dead at Home, Two Suspects Arrested

A rising TikTok star has been discovered deceased at her residence, prompting…
'Happy Face Killer' wants Bryan Kohberger as a potential cellmate to solve 'security issues'

“Serial Killer Suggests Bryan Kohberger as Cellmate to Address ‘Security Concerns'”

Keith Jesperson, infamously known as the Happy Face serial killer, has expressed…
Law enforcement's response to fatal shooting of state lawmakers raises questions

Questions Arise Over Law Enforcement’s Reaction to Lawmakers’ Fatal Shooting

Law enforcement’s response to the June 14 shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers…
Shooting near Bradford High leaves father of suspect's children dead

Fatal Shooting Near Bradford High: Suspect’s Children’s Father Killed

A shooting near Bradford High School leaves a man dead, with Mindy…
'A Journey to Freedom': Chicago filmmaker Anisa Selenica honors Albanian heritage with powerful documentary

‘Albanian Heritage Celebrated in Captivating Documentary by Chicago Filmmaker Anisa Selenica’

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago filmmaker, who is part of our ABC7…
Muslim leaders increase security after vandalism reports at Texas and California mosques

Muslim Communities Boost Security Following Vandalism Incidents at Texas and California Mosques

Following several reports of vandalism involving graffiti at mosques in Texas and…
Study shows surge of residents getting rich — quick

Research Reveals Rapid Increase in Residents Achieving Wealth

Households in Huntington, Long Island have experienced a significant increase in their…
Mikie Sherrill dodges again on Mamdani, drawing fire from Ciattarelli and GOP

Mikie Sherrill Evades Mamdani Issue, Faces Criticism from Ciattarelli and GOP

Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill, has again avoided addressing…
At 102, D-Day veteran looks forward to a long-delayed bar mitzvah

102-Year-Old D-Day Veteran Anticipates a Much-Delayed Bar Mitzvah Ceremony

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Harold Terens is a World War II…
Ukraine sees sweeping protests over bill weakening anti-corruption agencies

Ukraine Faces Widespread Protests Against Bill That Undermines Anti-Corruption Efforts

Ukrainians are taking to the streets after the passage of a controversial…