LGA sees early crowds as TSA predicts one of its busiest Thanksgiving travel weeks ever
TSA expects to screen more than 17.8 million people nationwide from Tuesday through Dec. 2.
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Travelers were already filling LaGuardia Airport as the Thanksgiving travel rush gets underway.
The Transportation Security Administration says this week could be one of the busiest holiday travel periods in its history.
TSA expects to screen more than 17.8 million people nationwide from Tuesday through Dec. 2. Officials say Sunday, Nov. 30, when many Americans head back home, could break records again, with more than 3 million travelers in a single day. At LaGuardia’s Terminal B, lines quieted down compared to the morning on Tuesday as flyers tried to beat the rush. TSA says it’s seeing a daily jump of about 14,000 more travelers per day compared to last year. The agency is reminding passengers to:
Have a REAL ID, passport or valid ID ready at the checkpoint
Follow the standard liquid limits when packing
Use TSA PreCheck if you have it — and children 17 and under can go through with an enrolled adult for free
AAA also expects a record-breaking Thanksgiving week across all types of travel. The group projects that 81.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday period, with the vast majority — 73 million people — hitting the road. For now, things are moving smoothly at New York airports.
Travelers like Jesse Levin says she normally anticipates chaos at the airport this time of year.
“Traveling over Thanksgiving can be so hectic and delays. And I'm going to Montreal and the weather up there could be really bad," said Levin.
But so far, she's been pleasantly surprised.
“I was very stressed in anticipation of traveling, but so far it's been OK," said Levin.
The busy travel week comes just after the government shutdown had a big impact on flying. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy said Monday at a news conference that air traffic controller staffing levels have stabilized in time for what he's calling the busiest Thanksgiving on record for travel.
Traveler Charlene Ortiz say they hope that despite any complications, people can be kind to workers.
"They are working really hard to make everything work. And I hope people don't get angry at them because it's not their fault for delays or for weather mishaps and various things. But I can't say that my travels have been bad. It's actually been a very nice experience," said Ortiz.
Travel experts say lines and traffic will continue to build through the day and into the holiday weekend.
