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More Americans Expect Thanksgiving Travel

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 November 2003, 06:00 CST

With the economy starting to turn around, millions of Americans will hit the roads and take to the skies during a Thanksgiving weekend that promises to be the busiest since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The AAA travel group expected about 36 million people nationwide would travel 50 miles or more from their homes.

"No. 1, it's the economy. Whenever people feel more confident about their own personal finances, usually you see a little jump in travel," AAA spokesman Mantill Williams said.

A leveling off of gas prices over the past few months and good fall weather across much of the country have also contributed to the boost, Williams said.

Marissa Iden and Mike Boulware chose to beat the rush by leaving Tuesday rather than Wednesday from Minneapolis on a flight to Greenville, S.C. Despite several inches of snow in the Twin Cities this week, their flight was on time and checkpoint lines were short.

"We only got 4 inches," said Boulware, 26. "This is Minnesota. It is going to take a lot more than 4 inches to delay an airplane."

About 31 million people, or 86 percent of holiday travelers, will reach their destination by car, despite a national average gas price of $1.51 per gallon - a 9-cent increase over last year, AAA said. About 13 percent will fly, up 1 percent from 2002 but still 10 to 15 percent lower than pre-Sept. 11 levels, the travel group said.

"Since Sept. 11, the entire travel landscape has changed," Williams said. "The whole travel pie has shrunk."

Officials at Boston's Logan International Airport expected 75,000 to 80,000 passengers per day on the peak travel days of Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday and Monday.

"We're expecting long lines," said Phil Orlandella, spokesman for the Massachusetts Port Authority. "Sunday after the holiday will be the busiest day and Monday is expected to be busier than normal."

Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel said 550,000 passengers were predicted to travel by rail between Tuesday and Monday. To better serve the influx of riders, Amtrak has added 70 extra trains.

Faye and Bill Bartley chose rail to avoid unpredictable Midwestern weather during their journey to Scobey, Mont. "This time of year it's risky to drive because you never know how much snow there's going to be," Faye Bartley said.

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On the Net:

AAA: http://www.aaa.com

Amtrak: http://www.amtrak.com

Transportation Security Administration: http://www.tsa.gov/public

Travel Industry Association: http://www.tia.org

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