There's no place like home for the holidays-except travelers will have to battle dense congestion to get there this Thanksgiving.
As in years past, officials for both airport and ground transportation services are advising travelers to prepare for the hectic travel conditions this season.
In the wake of 2001's terrorist attacks, passenger travel through Raleigh-Durham International Airport dropped 30 percent from Thanksgiving week in 2000.
Although fears of flying diverted travelers to the roads, Sgt. Jeff Freuler of the North Carolina Highway Patrol's Durham office said travelers this year may notice less road congestion.
"People's confidence has gotten back up to where they will be flying," Freuler said.
Departures out of RDU have increased by an average of 15 flights a day since last year, and officials expect more passengers traveling per flight this week.
RDU spokesperson Karen Dunton anticipated 200,000 passengers would pass through RDU between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1--a 10 to 15 percent increase since last year's levels. Dunton also predicted the airport will service about 30,000 travelers on each of this week's busiest days, Wednesday and Sunday.
Prolonged check-in and security inspection processes during the holiday season can be attributed to increase in the number of passengers per flight, said Dunton.
"Sometimes during the year the plane will only be 70 percent full, and now it will be more crowded," she said. "Most airlines are telling their passengers to arrive at least two hours early, and we are also recommending passengers be aware of what they have in their bags."
RDU officials said the items that most commonly cause delays at security checkpoints are small, sharp objects in carry-on bags. Scissors and pocketknives are among the most commonly confiscated items, but tweezers, nail clippers and eyelash curlers are permitted.
Although air travelers will not face stricter security measures than normal, Freuler said his office will dedicate as much attention as possible to the roads this week. "All available officers will be out during the most traveled days," Freuler said.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is also advising travelers to avoid major highways and take alternate routes whenever possible. Transportation officials emphasized the $250 penalty for speeding in work zones.
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