More than 40 million expected to hit the road and sky
SAWYER -- Sawyer International Airport was bustling with travelers Wednesday afternoon as the holiday travel season is now here.
"I expect the planes to be filled busy!" said Shirley Deroche, who was headed to Minneapolis.
And they were full. For many, the Thanksgiving trip is an annual event. Not only do they look forward to spending the holiday with loved ones, but they make the most out of their time in the airport.
"Seeing all the different people. Just who's traveling and where they're going, kind of wondering...that kind of stuff," said Elizabeth Snow, before her flight to Minnesota.
Most airports across the U.P. reported an increase in passengers for the Thanksgiving holiday...even by as much as 15 percent in Houghton. That can mean delays, unless the passengers do their best to expedite things.
"We just recommend on holiday travel that people come at least an hour before the flight, and if you're going to do a carry-on bag, remember the 3-1-1 rule. Three ounce items is the maximum you can carry on for your carry-on bag in a one quart bag, and you get one bag per passenger," explains Sawyer International Airport Director of Operations, Scott Erbisch.
As for the controversial full body scanners that have been in the national headlines for the last week, they don't have them yet at Sawyer...so nothing's changed there.
As for the motorists planning to hit the road for Thanksgiving, it could be a little difficult as snow is expected to arrive Wednesday evening.
"So early morning travel will be pretty tricky. Things should improve for a time and then by late in the afternoon as the real cold air starts to come in, things will freeze up again, anything left on the roads at that time. Then the lake effect snow will really start to pick up by tomorrow evening," described National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Zika.
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