Experts say holiday travel is busier than last year

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The holiday travel rush has begun. People are flying, driving or taking a train to their Thanksgiving destination.

And this year the experts predict the number of people leaving home for the holiday is higher than usual.

Triple-A projects 54 million plus Americans will travel more than 50 miles this Thanksgiving.

By Tuesday afternoon it seemed as if many were already moving along Interstate-95.

Three generations of the Rivera family were traveling with two dogs Keka and puppy Rex.

They face a drive of more than 1000 miles but they say it's worth it to be around a table with loved ones on Thursday.

Edgar Rivera of Bordentown said, "We started in Bordentown New Jersey, and we are headed down to Walton Beach, Florida in the Panhandle."

Almost nine in ten-holiday travelers will drive, about one in ten will take a plane. College student Kelly Kang is headed west.

She's going to Chicago, she says, "I'm going to hang out with my friends, get some dinner with family. I'm super excited, I haven't seen them in about a month, some of them in three months."

The airport has posted tips for holiday travelers and those picking them up at Philadelphia International Airport.

Know your airline's baggage policy, not knowing the acceptable dimensions could be costly.

If flying American, make sure you know which terminal you need. American currently uses five terminals.

If picking up someone the advice use this free cell phone lot, but don't move out when the sign says a flight has arrived. To avoid congestion in the pickup lanes wait until your passenger confirms they are out of the terminal and at curbside.

Diane Gerace, Spokesperson at Philadelphia International said, "Go to the cell phone lot. It's a minute to the baggage claim area, very convenient. And as soon as you get that call from your party, make sure they are at curbside with their bags and ready to be picked up."

Thanksgiving migration has begun. The airport's busiest day is Sunday, and the second busiest is tomorrow.

As for driving, the busiest is tonight until about 8 p.m. and all day tomorrow.

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