The Transportation Secuirty Administration (TSA) says it expects to screen about 20 million passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday. 

While travel volume this year is not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels, it is expected to be notably higher than 2020. 

Point and case: for the first time in two years, Tiffany Brown will be spending Thanksgiving with her oldest sister.

What You Need To Know

  • The TSA says it expects to screen about 20 million passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday

  • While travel volume this year is not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels, it is expected to be notably higher than 2020

  • The busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward

This holiday season, they have a new addition to the family, her 7-month-old great niece. 

“Just the idea of my niece being able to see us all in one space, because I don’t think, with her being a baby, I don’t think she identifies people outside of the city that she normally sees. So I know this should be exciting for her,” Brown said while she waited for her luggage. 

Brown and her four daughters flew into LaGuardia Airport Tuesday from St. Louis, Missouri, with no issues. 

She said she wanted to arrive a few days early in case of any major delays. And she wanted to be sure her family would be in place to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person. 

“I have been to New York, but never to the parade, so I am a big kid at heart. I am looking forward to the floats and the whole environment,” Brown said.

Diane and Marv Cashman drove from North Carolina to New York last year to spend the holidays with their grandchildren.

This year, they felt comfortable enough to fly. 

“We were lucky enough to see them before now, but you see reunions and it is great to see,” said Mrs. Cashman. 

There were concerns the vaccine mandate for TSA workers would cause delays, but the agency assured travelers the mandate won’t impact holiday travel.

According to the TSA, more than 93% of TSA employees meet the vaccine requirements. 

Still, air travelers we spoke with say they heeded the warnings and gave themselves some extra time to get through security. 

“Normally, I show up about 20 minutes before my flight, and I am here about an hour and a half early,” explained Brendan Boatwright.

Some passengers flying out of LaGuardia said the stress of traveling during the holidays has kept them home in year’s past, but after the pandemic, the opportunity to spend time with loved ones outweighed any other concerns.

“You know, life is short, as we have seen through the pandemic — people loosing loved ones. This is the time you want to spend with them,” said Tilden Todd on his way to Indiana.

If you are flying out of area airports over the next few days, it is still recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.