admin
Holiday travel is back and Americans are on the move — and not because politicians told them to stay home. AAA is forecasting a record-setting Thanksgiving travel period of roughly 81.8 million people hitting the road and skies between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, proof that family and faith still matter more to hardworking Americans than the latest Washington drama. This surge means more cars on highways and packed terminals at every major airport, so patience and personal responsibility will be in short supply — but we can handle it.
Weather is about to make Thanksgiving a lot more interesting for anyone driving or flying, as the National Weather Service and forecasters warn a southward push of Arctic air — the so-called polar vortex — will bring colder and snowier conditions in many regions just in time for the holiday. Expect lake-effect snows in the Great Lakes, heavier snowfall in the central Rockies, and a sharp temperature drop by Thursday and Friday that could complicate already crowded travel corridors. When officials say “much colder than normal” they mean travelers should assume winter driving conditions and plan accordingly, not rely on a last-minute rescue from bureaucrats.
Air travel is facing pressure too: the FAA says this Thanksgiving period will be the busiest in 15 years with more than 360,000 flights scheduled, and the TSA is preparing to screen nearly 17.8 million passengers over the holiday week. That combination of unprecedented passenger loads and winter weather is a recipe for long lines, tight connections, and higher chances of delays or cancellations — so don’t be the person who boards without a back-up plan. Give yourself extra time, know your rights, and don’t expect the government to fix avoidable chaos at the last minute.
Practicality wins this season: AAA and travel experts are urging drivers to check tires, batteries, and fluids, fill the tank the night before, and leave earlier than you think necessary, while flyers should carry REAL IDs, pack sensibly, and sign up for airline alerts. Taking responsibility for your own journey is old-fashioned common sense — run the checklist and save the whining for someone who enjoys it. If every household treated travel like a job, we’d see fewer stranded families and more thankful reunions.
Let’s be blunt about what else this holiday exposes: staffing strains and bureaucratic churn leave our travel infrastructure operating with less margin for error than it used to. Even as the FAA prepares for record flight volumes, reports show TSA staffing levels have been under pressure from attrition and planned cuts, a reality that makes long lines and stressed workers more likely during peak demand. Conservatives who care about secure, reliable travel should demand accountability and common-sense staffing policies instead of theatrical press releases.
Still, this Thanksgiving tells a wholesome story about America — record travel means families are choosing togetherness over isolation, and the private grit of drivers and airline workers will carry the day. Be prepared, take care of your neighbors, and bring gratitude with you when you travel; no storm or bureaucracy can defeat a nation that knows how to look after its own.
