Planes, trains, and automobiles: Thanksgiving brings record-breaking travel

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Record-breaking travel is expected across the country for Thanksgiving -- not just on planes, but in cars and trains, too.

In the air, the Transportation Security Administration expects 2.8 million people to fly Wednesday. They're expected to screen 18.3 million people this week through Sunday.

That's an increase from last year, and it's expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving ever across the U.S.

"I'm just happy my whole family is together for Thanksgiving. I think it's great," said Sue Muehl, as her grandson greeted her at Mitchell International Airport on Wednesday.

AAA expects 80 million travelers for Thanksgiving nationwide, a new record as families look forward to time around the table.

"We've got brunch tomorrow morning with our family, then heading up to the game," said David Rachichi, visiting Milwaukee from Colorado.

On the rails, Amtrak is setting records too, by already exceeding pre-pandemic ridership levels.

Every one of these people could be in a car on I-94. Hopefully not on separate cars, but they're all much better off here on our trains than driving, either way," said Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman.

The train is an easy option for travelers like Michelle Asante, who is heading to Chicago.

"I don't got a car and I'm a college student, but it's beautiful, so I'll take it any day," she said.

Still, many are taking the roads, like Jackson Lisowski and his dad, Tony, as they head to Ohio.

"Unless there's no traffic in Chicago, we should get there in eight hours. Otherwise, it might be nine hours," Jackson said.

It's a long trek, but the Lisowskis say it's worth it for what's on the other side.

"The plans are to eat a lot of food that my mother-in-law is making," Tony said.