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Nov 26, 2008 2:48 pm US/Eastern
Experts Predict Lighter Than Normal Holiday Travel
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
With the nation's current economic status, more people are expected to stay closer to home this Thanksgiving holiday.
For the first time since 2002, AAA forecasts that we are going to see fewer travelers on the road. It's a pattern that's been happening all year long.
This morning at Pittsburgh International Airport, there were no backups at the check-in counters and it was smooth sailing in the security lines.
"It's amazingly clear," M.A. Ellis, who is heading to Florida, told KDKA. "I was surprised, I came down last night assuming it was going to be a mad rush, but the lines are great, check-in was easy."
According to industry experts, overall travel is down 1.5 percent this year. Because of the poor economy, a lot of the families are skipping the flights and staying home. But because of cheaper gas prices, if they do head out, they are hitting the road.
"We are going to drive to Canada," said Lisa Hall. "Stay up there, take a couple of days off, see what is up there, and have a good time."
"The roads were packed yesterday. From going from Monroeville to Pittsburgh, they were jammed. Coming back from Pittsburgh, they were jammed," Dan Anderson, who is driving to New Jersey for the holiday, said. "We'll see what it is going back to the East Coast. I'm expecting the worst. One step at a time."
But officials with AAA say they still expect 41 million people to be traveling this holiday weekend and tonight is going to be one of the busiest times on the road.
If you are heading out, pack your patience, be prepared and take things slow.
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