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Thanksgiving Travel Means Millions of Extra Drivers and Air Passengers Thanksgiving Travel Traffic

By Ben Spector

AAA Insurance sign for the headquarters in Syracuse
© 2022 Ben Spector

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (N.C.C News) — With Thanksgiving just next week, travel numbers are projected to be the highest since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airports are expected to be flooded, runways will be filled with planes, and delays seem inevitable. In fact, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority said in a press release that “Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is preparing for an anticipated robust level of Thanksgiving travelers in the coming weeks.” Even so, Cornell student Dylan Bean, who is flying out of Syracuse Hancock International Airport, is not too concerned.

“It’s just kind of the way of the world now,” Bean said. “I feel like every flight I have gone on recently has been delayed. At this point, it’s just about accepting it.”

Air travel is not the only traveling method that is expected to be crowded. The roads are expected to be backed up next week as people drive to their families. Valerie Puma, the Communications Specialist for AAA Insurance in Western and Central New York, put the expected crowd into perspective.

“For Thanksgiving next week, nationally we’re expecting over 54-million people to be traveling,” Puma said. “That’s from next Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, all the way to Sunday.”

The 54-million people is 98% of the average number it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, Puma says AAA Insurance is ready for the heavy influx of travelers.

“So right now we are fully staffed with our tow truck technicians and our fleet teams, “Puma said. “Our member contact center is ready for incoming calls if people do break down on the side of the road.”

Even without the holiday, though, Bean says he always embraces the potential challenges of traveling.

“I feel like every time I travel there are delays,” Bean said. “I expect them now. It’s all about just accepting it.”

Thanksgiving is next Thursday, November 24th, 2022.

SPECTOR: Planes like this one will be roaming the runway all throughout next week. While it was empty this morning at Hancock International Airport, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority says in a press release, it is preparing for an anticipated robust level of Thanksgiving travelers in the coming weeks. But for Cornell student Dylan Bean, he isn’t worried.

BEAN: My flight is at 6 a.m., so I think it should be fine for getting out.

SPECTOR: Bean is traveling home through Charlotte. But even though he has had experience with this route, he still can expect some bumps.

BEAN: It’s just kind of the way of the world now. I feel like every flight I have gone on recently has been delayed. At this point, it’s just about accepting it.

SPECTOR: Roads at airports like the one behind me are going to be flooded with traffic with the expected rise in flights. But if you’re driving home for Thanksgiving, also expect there to be some traffic.

PUMA: For Thanksgiving next week, nationally we’re expecting over 54 million people to be traveling.

SPECTOR: This is Valerie Puma, the Communications Specialist for Triple-A in Western and Central New York. Puma says that with the increased car travel next week, Triple-A is prepared.

PUMA: So right now we are fully staffed with our tow truck technicians and our fleet teams. Our member contact center is ready for incoming calls if people do break down on the side of the road.

SPECTOR: But even with prepared staffs, Bean says he expects delays.

BEAN: I can expect that especially with traffic and as the weather gets colder.

SPECTOR: Ben Spector, N-C-C News.

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