Travelers ditch covid fears, frustrations for Thanksgiving family time

Recent retiree Rick Garlow, 66, of North Huntingdon and his wife, Chrissy, 65, sat out Thanksgiving and Christmas travel last year as covid-19 infections surged.

They dared to venture out to visit their son and his family in Baltimore for New Year’s only after they tested negative for covid-19.

This year, they are joining the millions of Americans hitting the road for the holiday.

Even soaring gas prices and turnpike tolls haven’t dampened their enthusiasm for the trip. The Garlows have been vaccinated and plan to drive to Baltimore for Thanksgiving.

It’s a common scenario this year, travel experts say, with people flushing pent-up fears and frustrations in favor of festive meals and family time.

Travel volume could hover near pre-pandemic levels, with 53.4 million people expected to fly, drive and otherwise arrive at their loved ones for turkey dinner, said Lynda Lambert, AAA East Central media spokesperson and safety advisor.

“Air travel is almost completely recovered from the dramatic fall it had last year — up 80%,” Lambert said.

Traditionally the most heavily traveled holiday, Thanksgiving excursions with any mode of transportation have largely rebounded after the pandemic socked most social get-togethers in 2020.

“Numbers are up 13% from 2020, which brings volumes within 5% of those from 2019,” Lambert said.

Vaccination mandates, reopened borders and a desire to return to traditional holiday celebrations will converge this year for a result that amounts to crowded airports, train stations and highways.

Lisa Farbstein, spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, said more than 2 million people passed through airport security checkpoints Friday, the highest since the start of the pandemic.

The highest travel day in TSA’s history was the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019 when nearly 2.9 million people were screened at security checkpoints across the country.

What is it going to be like Thanksgiving week at @TSA checkpoints? Lots of travelers, much like pre-pandemic times. Do you remember what that was like? Crowded! Bottom line: Get to the airport early, pack some patience, wear a mask and don't have prohibited items with you! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/PADEkGuIj8

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) November 22, 2021

“Passengers should arrive two hours before their scheduled flight because it’s going to be much more crowded than it has been in the last 18 months or so,” Farbstein said.

Travelers also should continue to wear a mask. The federal mandate remains in effect through Jan. 18.

Farbstein said travelers should “know before you go,” meaning be aware of what items are in your carry-on so it’s nothing that’s prohibited.

“Prohibited items at checkpoints delay the traveler and those in line behind them,” Farbstein said.

Anyone unsure of the guidelines can send questions on Twitter to @AskTSA or through Facebook Messenger.

Lambert said drivers should plan their trip, if possible, to avoid travel between noon and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Likewise, the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be a heavy travel day, she said.

“People might want to get up super early and get ahead of the crowd or stay a little longer and leave late,” she said.

With the national average of $3.40 for a gallon of gas, Garlow said he knows he’ll be paying more to fuel his four-hour trip, but he has more important things on his mind.

“We’re going to see our granddaughters. They’re 3 years old and 18 months,” he said.

Lambert said gas prices, no matter how high, don’t usually stop people from Thanksgiving travel.

“We go to visit family and friends for this holiday and most people budget accordingly,” she said.

“No matter how you travel, the most logical advice I can give is to bring your patience and kindness. It’s going to be busy – be nice.”