Airports Expected to See Increase in Thanksgiving Travelers and Security

Airports Expected to See Increase in Thanksgiving Travelers and Security

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Nov 23, 2015

Airports’ busiest travel days of the year are likely to become even more complicated for travelers flying through U.S. airports this Thanksgiving Holiday.  In the wake of terrorist attack in Paris and the suspected bombing of a Russian passenger plane, authorities are making sure security measures are sound to create a safe environment for the predicted highest number of travelers since 2007.

An estimated 46.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, an increase of 300,000 over last year according to AAA Travel.

The vast majority of those will be driving, but some 3.6 million Americans plan to fly to their holiday destinations, a 0.1 percent increase from last year.

The Transportation Security Administration has “doubled down” on security at airports, and wait times have gone up, although not dramatically.

Although TSA won’t reveal what additional security measures will be taken, former TSA head John Pistole said to expect more random hand swabbing for explosive residue, bomb-sniffing dogs, laptop checks and shoe removals, even if you have TSA Pre-Check.

“The key is to be unpredictable,” Pistole said.

AAA Travel defines the Thanksgiving holiday period this year from Wednesday November 25 through Sunday, November 29. The busiest travel days are predicted to be Sunday November 29, Monday, November 30 and Wednesday, November 25, respectively. The lightest days will be Thanksgiving and the Friday after.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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