Holiday travel remains at a steady pace
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It is always among the busiest travel days of the year, and on this day before Thanksgiving, travel experts are predicting 51 million Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend.
Over at 30th Street Station Amtrak officials said they are expecting at least as many customers as last year.
"Last Thanksgiving, we saw upwards of 750,000 passengers coming through the doors nationwide," said AMTRAK Spokesperson Beth Toll. "As you can see it is busy, closer year, they are ready to board their train, and go home and see their friends or family."
Alicia Francioni of Folsom said she just hopes the train ride to Western PA is better than the ride to the station.
"I am going out to Pittsburgh to see my dad's side of the family and it was packed coming out here," she said. "Stuck in traffic on I-95."
Meanwhile, air travel is expected to go up 5 percent over last year at this time. At Philadelphia International Airport, some 86,000 people are expected here Wednesday.
With that being said, airport officials suggest that you sip a cup of patience if your plans include air travel.
"When you are traveling, whether it's here in Philadelphia or any other airport, it's going to be busy especially on the busiest days," said Airport Spokesperson Diane Gerace. "So you want to allow yourself extra time to park, to check in, have to go through security screenings."
James Katina flew in from Tennessee to see family in New Jersey. He said when you travel on a day like this, the key is excepting what you are getting into.
"It was a sold out flight. So if you can deal with the hustle and bustle of people, I think you'll be able to manage," he said.
And while getting home for the holidays might have been manageable today, one of the busiest travel days will be Sunday, as everyone prepares to go home.
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