If you’re heading home for the holidays this Thanksgiving, you might want to give yourself a lot of extra travel time—and maybe do whatever meditation or other self-help works for you. Practice relaxation techniques.
The Transportation Safety Administration says 2024 could be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period ever, with passengers up 6 percent from last year. In all, the agency says it expects to screen 18.3 million people from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 2.
“This holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods on record,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Meyerkas said in a statement. “I encourage travelers to plan ahead, follow TSA’s travel tips, and take advantage of programs like TSA PreCheck.”
The busiest days, not surprisingly, will be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. TSA officials say they expect to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday, 2.9 million on Wednesday and more than 3 million on Sunday, Dec. 1.
A busier-than-usual holiday follows a busier-than-usual year. Passenger numbers are set to hit record highs in 2024, up 17 percent since 2022. Officials say all 10 of the busiest travel days in TSA history have occurred this year. Sunday, July 7th currently stands as the busiest day on record.
As it prepares for the crowds, the TSA is also reminding people what they can and can’t bring on the plane with them. It gets a little weird.
For example, you can fly across the country with a cooked, or even raw, turkey in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you (fresh or frozen). You’ll need to pack it in a cooler with an ice pack, remember, but that’s perfectly acceptable to the authorities.
Mac and cheese? Bring it on board! to fill Sure thing! casseroles? The more the merrier. Gravy? Wait a minute Hajj…
With very few exceptions, liquids are still restricted as carry-on items. You are allowed no more than 3.4 ounces of most liquid or spreadable items, which is less than half a cup.
And please tell us you’re not just bringing half a cup of gravy to Thanksgiving dinner.
