Thanksgiving Travel Amid Winter Storms: Tips for Busiest Travel Season in 15 Years

Thanksgiving Travel Outlook

• ✈️ This year's Thanksgiving travel period is projected to be the busiest in 15 years, with approximately 73 million Americans expected to travel by road and 6 million by air.
• ❄️ Despite a blast of Arctic air bringing winter weather conditions, air travel has been relatively smooth so far, with only minor disruptions.

Airport Experience and TSA Changes

• ⏱️ Passengers at Reagan Washington National Airport reported patience and minimal issues, with TSA checkpoint wait times around five minutes.
• 👟 A significant change at TSA checkpoints is the elimination of the 20-year-old rule requiring passengers to remove shoes, now allowing shoes to be kept on in standard lanes.
• ✈️ While thousands of flights experienced delays and hundreds were canceled, the ground stop at Chicago O'Hare has transitioned to a ground delay, impacting connecting flights.

Road Travel Challenges

• 🚗 Road travel is expected to be significantly impacted, with traffic in major metro areas potentially being 3 to 4 times the norm.
• 📈 Driving times on routes like Bakersfield to LA could be 150% longer than usual, and San Diego to Palm Springs could be 80% longer.

Travel Tips and Etiquette

• ⏳ Travelers are advised to give themselves plenty of time, suggesting arriving at the airport three hours early for flights, especially during peak travel days like Sunday and Monday.
• 📱 The myTSA app can be used to check security line wait times and adjust arrival times accordingly.
• 🙏 Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy encourages civility and kindness among passengers, suggesting passengers dress respectfully and use polite language.
• 🤝 The advice is to remember that everyone is traveling during a stressful time and to act with kindness towards fellow travelers and airline staff.