Now that Thanksgiving is over, many students return to school after a rejuvenating break. This year, there was an influx of travel both in and out of Raleigh. According to a report by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), this year has been the busiest in terms of flight travel. Following the massive influx of people, there were also harsh weather conditions that canceled and delayed flights. Not to mention the Federal Aviation Administration also had to slow and delay flights to maintain aerial traffic control. But what did this mean for Millbrook students and staff?
Regarding car travel, many families who took the backroads experienced less traffic, unlike people who took Interstate 540 (I-540). Prior to Thanksgiving break, news stations like WRAL advised people to plan accordingly, keeping these conditions in mind. Despite these odds, many people have reported little car traffic in and out of Raleigh. Junior Audrey Williams said, “Me and my family went to Rocksboro. It’s about an hour away, so we traveled by car. Since we don’t have to travel on any big roads, we didn’t experience a lot of traffic.”
In terms of flight travel, it was surprising that there was hardly any traffic. Many travelers were able to get to their location with little delays and cancellations at RDU. Most likely because we weren’t as affected by the weather, unlike Northern states, where weather caused low visibility and harsh winds for some airlines. According to the TSA, they made sure to have more staff to help with screenings this year due to the influx of people. But a major factor of travel is preparation; for both the travelers and TSA, since there’s no telling how plans can change. It’s all about how you can adapt to it and plan accordingly.
Overall, many students said they’d had a relaxing Thanksgiving. Despite the dreary weather, it didn’t hinder many Thanksgiving plans for families. This was probably the perfect time for indoor activities such as naps. Whether that’s catching up on schoolwork or getting in a few more hours of sleep, it’s safe to say that many took advantage of the long break. Junior Mariel Trice said, “I had a relaxing Thanksgiving. We even got to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!”
In the meantime, many students are looking forward to winter break! Like Thanksgiving, TSA predicts that there will be a lot of people traveling during this time. If any students are planning on going out of state for the holidays, they should plan ahead to beat the holiday rush. So, giving yourself ample time to get to your destination is key. Like arriving two hours early, at minimum, if you need to catch a flight or driving earlier in the morning to beat traffic.
