SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 28, 2005–While some may have braced themselves for delays due to reduced flights and expectations of even more travelers in transit than last year, U.S. travelers experienced slightly shorter wait times than in 2004 and minimal delays overall this Thanksgiving weekend, according to on-location airport monitoring conducted by Travelocity(R) this past Wednesday and Sunday. Often two of the busiest travel days of the year, they boasted smooth and easy travel conditions at the nation’s 25 busiest airports.
Security lines, which were tracked on the hour, were short overall this Thanksgiving weekend, and travel was described as relatively calm by Travelocity airport monitors. Tracking the busiest airports throughout the country, Travelocity reported that average security wait times at the majority of the airports monitored were less than 10 minutes (and often closer to 5 minutes in many cases) through security checkpoints.
Continuing the company’s commitment to “Customer Championship” by helping travelers beyond booking and equipping them with relevant information on the road, Travelocity stationed monitors at 25 of the nation’s busiest airports for the fifth consecutive year to monitor wait times and other key happenings.
“Based upon our findings, airports throughout the country really pulled through this Thanksgiving holiday, and didn’t appear frazzled by a number of potential challenges that could have led to some long travel days this weekend,” said Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s editor-at-large. “The Transportation Security Administration along with airport administrators throughout the country managed to show slight improvements to last year’s already minimal wait times.”
Following are findings reported by Travelocity representatives stationed at 25 of the nation’s busiest airports:
Wednesday, November 23rd longest average waits through security were found at the following airports:
-- John F. Kennedy Airport: 17 Minutes
-- Atlanta Airport: 12 Minutes
-- Chicago O'Hare Airport: 11 Minutes
-- Baltimore Airport: 11 Minutes
Wednesday, November 23rd shortest average waits through security were found at:
-- Cincinnati Airport: 4 Minutes
-- Las Vegas Airport: 4 Minutes
-- Detroit Airport: 5 Minutes
-- Salt Lake City: 5 Minutes
-- Seattle Airport: 5 Minutes
Sunday, November 27th longest average waits through security were found at:
-- John F. Kennedy Airport: 14.8 Minutes
-- Chicago O'Hare Airport: 10.8 Minutes
-- Las Vegas Airport: 10.3 Minutes
-- Washington Dulles: 10.3 Minutes
Sunday, November 27th shortest average waits through security were found at:
-- San Francisco Airport: 4 Minutes
-- Baltimore Airport: 4.3 Minutes
-- Salt Lake City Airport: 4.4 Minutes
-- Detroit Airport: 4.6 Minutes
-- Boston Airport: 4.9 Minutes
Additional results:
-- Some airports began implementing special holiday programming
and entertainment. For example, Dallas/Fort Worth airport
distributed holiday gifts and even worked with passengers to
sign holiday cards for U.S. troops.
-- A couple of Dallas travelers who forgot to check baggage
restrictions before taking off for the holidays had to make
due by purchasing packing tape in order to connect two
carry-on bags together.
-- A Los Angeles couple's Thanksgiving feast was rejected by
security when they attempted to take two large turkeys as
carry-on luggage.
-- Although consistent with last year's TSA security rules and
regulations, a number of travelers still attempted to carry on
wrapped gifts, which they later had to un-wrap for security
screening purposes.
-- Some airports in particular were strictly enforcing the two bag
carry-on rule, such as Newark airport.
-- So, it's important to remember that travelers are allowed
only one carry-on in addition to one personal item (such
as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase or
camera).
-- At LaGuardia, some travelers went so overboard on packing
for their trips that the airport shuttles became
overloaded.
-- Several travelers forgot that seemingly harmless toys are
prohibited by security.
-- An Orlando traveler even had to forfeit carrying on a toy
gun - which would have been OK if sent as checked baggage
instead.
Based on Travelocity’s findings this Thanksgiving, Ziff encourages travelers to remember a few key tips to help the rest of their holiday travels go as smoothly as possible. Following a few traveler trip-ups over the weekend, Ziff recommends the following:
-- Take advantage of airport E-kiosks and online check-in at home
to help reduce wait times at the airport.
-- Avoid bringing anything to the airport on the "prohibited
items" list, such as cuticle cutters, safety razors or
lighters. Contact the airline or check www.tsa.gov for a full
list of prohibited items.
-- ATM machines often run out of money towards the end of the day,
so come prepared with extra cash for cab fare home or in case
of an emergency.
-- Consider shipping all gifts to your destination ahead of time
as wrapped gifts may be opened for screening purposes, and
extra fees will apply if the allotted baggage limit is
exceeded.
-- If traveling with pets, remember to check the latest rules and
restrictions that apply. Pets may be restricted as cargo in
extreme cold or hot weather conditions, so call ahead if the
temperature is less than 45 degrees.
In addition to providing airport information, Rally Caparas, Eye On The Sky correspondent for Travelocity Business(SM), reported that the weather was on good behavior this year with just a few exceptions, most notably in Cleveland and Colorado. For ongoing flight delay information, visit www.travelocitybusiness.com/eos.
For more tips and advice on traveling during the holidays as well as facts on some of the nation’s top airports, updates on air traffic delays from Rally Caparas and travel deals for this holiday season, visit www.travelocity.com/holidaytips or check out Amy Ziff’s monthly column at www.travelocity.com/atoz.
ABOUT TRAVELOCITY
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion – before, during and after the trip and works hand-in-hand with the world’s most reputable travel providers so that everything about a customer’s booking will be right. And if it’s not, Travelocity guarantees that it will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. – booking $4.9 billion in travel in 2004. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM), and lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
CONTACT: Vollmer
Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790
amanda@vollmerpr.com
or
Sie Soheili, 972-488-4790
sie@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity
