TSA braces for ‘busiest ever’ holiday

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday.

TSA projects that Tuesday and Wednesday will be the busiest travel days before Thanksgiving as they expect to screen at least 2.8 million people each day.

The good news is folks are checking in and getting through the process quickly at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“Not horrible, I’ve been in worse. I would say the customer service going through United has been pretty good. Definitely very crowded, a lot going on. A little overwhelmed just ready to get to my gate and calm down a little bit,” one traveler said.

“We are two hours before our flight, already checked in, just heading through security. I’m not worried,” said another.

The FAA says it is slowing traffic into Newark Liberty International Airport due to staffing issues at the Philadelphia TRACON (PHL). Check your flight status at Newark and other area airports by clicking on one of the links below:
Newark Liberty International Airport
JFK Airport
LaGuardia Airport

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024.

The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week.

“This is United’s busiest year across our system,” Jonathan Gooda, United VP of Operations said.

United and other airlines across the region are being forced to modify parts of their flight schedules with the ongoing issue of the air traffic controller shortage, which led to flights being slowed down in Newark.

So far, the haven’t been major delays reported.

“We’ve been fairly lucky We come a day earlier and leave later so we should be safe,” Charles Fritz, headed to London said.

Dr. Sharon DiVivo, President and CEO of Vaughn College said it will take a while for newer air traffic controllers to become seasoned enough to work in the most congested airways in the nation.

Training colleges she says are now trying to recruit in more diverse communities.

“It’s intensive training, you have to be able to operate in high stress situations so it’s a tough job,” DiVivo said.

She also said the FAA relaxed some rules that will allow more students to train in the Northeast, which might relieve some pressure.

And it’s not just crowded in the air. Most of the nearly 80-million Americans traveling this week will go by car.

The good news: Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices. The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.06 a gallon on Sunday, down from $3.27 at this time last year.

Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves.

Here are a few ways to make your holiday journey a little less stressful:
1. Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring
2. Carry your comfort with you – think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication
3. Stay hydrated
4. Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app

Some information from the Associated Press

ALSO READ: Record number of Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving holiday across the U.S.

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