This Thanksgiving week in US could be the busiest ever on record

DALLAS, Texas: Airports and highways are gearing up for one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel weeks on record.

Nearly 80 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between November 26 and November 2, with air travel reaching unprecedented levels.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates screening 18.3 million passengers at airports, a 6 percent increase from last year. TSA Administrator David Pekoske assured travelers, "This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel. Fortunately, our staffing is also at the highest levels they have ever been. We are ready."

The TSA aims to keep general security lines under 30 minutes and PreCheck lines under 10 minutes, even with a predicted 3 million passengers passing through checkpoints on Sunday - a potential record-breaking day.

Airlines are optimistic about maintaining smooth operations, despite challenges like a shortage of air traffic controllers. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated, "If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe." These measures have previously caused delays in high-traffic regions such as New York and Florida.

Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines, highlighted the unique timing of this year's holiday. "A late Thanksgiving leads to a big crush at the end," he said, with Saturday through Tuesday expected to see the heaviest return travel.

At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, workers handling plane cleaning, trash removal, and wheelchair services staged a 24-hour strike demanding higher wages. The strike caused minimal disruptions, but Charlotte, the ninth-busiest airport in the U.S., remains a critical hub.

Meanwhile, the weather remains unpredictable. California faces rainstorms and power outages, the Midwest is bracing for snow, and the Northeast could experience blustery conditions by Thanksgiving Day. These elements could impact both air and road travel.

Remote work has changed holiday travel dynamics, allowing some to leave earlier and combine work with leisure. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz noted, "The pandemic changed everything. People are working remotely from their destination a couple of days before Thanksgiving and then enjoying time with loved ones."

Traffic experts warn that November 26 and 27 afternoons will be the worst times for drivers, while Thanksgiving Day offers the lightest traffic. On the return trip, early morning or evening travel is recommended to avoid congestion.

To minimize stress, travelers are advised to arrive at airports early, avoid putting lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage, and leave guns at home. TSA has already confiscated over 6,000 firearms this year, most of them loaded. Drivers should plan their trips carefully, as traffic in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., is expected to more than double.

Despite the potential challenges, airlines and transportation officials remain hopeful that the travel week will go smoothly, provided weather conditions cooperate.