CBS Austin: Austin's airport preparing for thousands of travelers for Thanksgiving holiday
If you're planning on traveling by plane this Thanksgiving -- you're one of 4.5 million others who are expected to fly. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is already seeing folks flood the airport -- and it's only going to get busier as we get closer to Thursday.
Airport officials tell CBS Austin Thanksgiving isn’t their busiest traveling season but it does make things more crowded than normal. So they’re advising to arrive early and of course pack your patience.
Monday’s nasty weather didn’t slow down passengers from traveling at Austin-Bergstrom International airport.
“This airport is very confusing compared to many airports like the arrows were just like a different paces so we’re just trying to figure it out,” said a traveler
The airport’s public information specialist Elizabeth Ferrer says they are expecting well over 35,000 passengers per day during the thanksgiving season.
“We’re just reminding people to be patient during the holidays,” said Ferrer. She say’s packing your bags correctly will help everyone get to their flight on time, “You need to be sure that you have packed correctly and by packing correctly is making sure that you don’t have anything that is going to flag TSA liquids are a big thing,”
They recommend that you avoid bringing foods that can spill, spread or spray. But the is on the lookout for weapons. We're told the airport has confiscated a record number of guns this year. This holiday season -- extra officers have been brought in.
“Were able to have extra TSA agents come in from different parts of the country to help get our holiday travelers though their check points. But that’s not a permanent solution for staffing issues,” said Ferrer.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett says he’s been pushing for improvements.
“We need to have improvements in that airport as quickly as possible. I’ve worked with TSA and customs and border patrol to make sure we got the support we needed there to not have long lines stretched out all across the entry to the airport,” said Doggett.
Improvements that benefit everyone flying out of ABIA, like one couple who was picking up their daughter for thanksgiving break.
“We haven’t seen her since may, since she got locked down in New York with COVID so it’s great to have her home for the holidays," said Robert Walter.
Also, be on the lookout for the airport's new partner sky squad. It's for people who are traveling with kids or elderly passengers that will give an extra pair of hands to help navigate your travels.