A guide to Thanksgiving travel after the government shutdown
The turbulence caused by the longest U.S. government shutdown may still be fresh in the minds of travelers this Thanksgiving, but experts say preparing for the usual holiday stress of winter weather, heavy traffic and crowded airports can help ease jitters.
“I think the shutdown at this point is historic for air travel. The airlines understand this time of year so well. They know exactly what they need to do,” said Sheldon H. Jacobson, an expert in airport and airline operations. “The real challenge is making sure travelers can help themselves.”
Here’s a guide to navigating the busiest travel week of the year:
How busy could it get?
Travel forecasts show crowded airports, roads and trains.
A week after lifting unprecedented flight restrictions on commercial airlines during the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving in 15 years, with more than 360,000 flights scheduled between next Monday and Tuesday. That’s more than 17.8 million people who will be screened at airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news conference Monday that air traffic controller staffing levels have stabilized in time for what he expects will be the busiest travel Thanksgiving on record, while the FAA chief reassured passengers that they can “fly with confidence” this week.
AAA projects 1.3 million more travelers will be on the roads compared to last year, bringing the total number of people traveling by car to at least 73 million.
Winter weather
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are for a storm. If your flight is canceled or delayed, will you drive instead or postpone or cancel your trip? Knowing your options in advance can reduce stress if a storm leaves you stranded.
The Weather Channel offers weekly Thanksgiving forecasts highlighting major airports and highways that could be affected by severe weather, including snow, ice and rain, as well as a free online tool in the Weather Channel app that shows how or if your travel itinerary could be affected.
Forecasters warned Monday of torrential rain and the possibility of severe thunderstorms from Texas to Arkansas and from Louisiana to Mississippi. As of Monday evening, more than 1,000 flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport had been delayed and more than 100 canceled, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
On Tuesday, the FAA’s busiest day with more than 52,000 flights scheduled, forecasters say rain is expected across the Pacific Northwest and much of the eastern United States. Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C. could be affected, according to the Weather Channel. Another winter storm in the central United States could also take shape Friday evening and Saturday.
“Details will become clearer over the next few days, but anyone returning home after Thanksgiving should check the forecast and prepare for changing conditions,” said Matt Sitkowski, Weather Channel science editor.
What to Pack (and What to Skip)
Jacobson, whose research helped design TSA PreCheck, recommends starting your packing with unpacking.
Check each pocket in case TSA-restricted items, like full-size bottles, were left behind on a previous trip. This simple analysis can help you get through security faster, especially when airports are crowded.
If you’re traveling with gifts, Jacobson suggests wrapping them at your destination because TSA agents may have to open them.
When deciding what clothes and shoes to pack, James Belanger, vice president of meteorology at the Weather Company, said one should check what the temperature feels like to get a better sense of the weather, especially for those who aren’t used to the cold.
And remember, a REAL ID is required to fly into the United States, or bring another accepted form of ID, such as a passport or military ID.
People with an iPhone can now also add their US passport details to Apple Wallet, which can be scanned at participating airports if travelers don’t have a REAL ID. More than a dozen states already accept some form of mobile ID at airport checkpoints, and travelers can go to the TSA website for more details.
Ready for the road trip
Whether driving is your first choice or your backup plan, AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz suggests checking your tires, battery and fluids in your car, then hitting the road with a full tank of gas as soon as possible to avoid traffic. Last year, AAA said, it responded to nearly 600,000 emergency roadside assistance calls during the Thanksgiving travel period to help drivers stranded by dead batteries, flat tires and empty gas tanks.
According to a Google Maps analysis:
— On Wednesday, traffic is expected to be 14% heavier than usual between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with peak traffic between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
— On Thanksgiving Day, roads will be busiest between noon and 3 p.m.
— When it’s time to go home, avoid driving between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, when traffic is heaviest.
The best passenger
“…is a wise passenger,” Jacobson likes to say.
Download your airline’s app to track your flight status and check it regularly as your travel date approaches. This way, if your flight is canceled the day before, you can quickly look for alternatives.
By car or plane, leave earlier than you think necessary. Knowing you won’t have to rush to your destination can help calm nerves, whether it’s lingering anxiety from the shutdown or the fact that you’re traveling with young children or someone who needs extra help getting around.
“These are very simple things to think about, but they are important things to think about,” Jacobson said.
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