With the number of travelers in the United States reaching record highs, traffic congestion and inclement weather have become the two major challenges for Thanksgiving travel. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched the “Golden Age of Travel” civility campaign, calling on passengers to dress appropriately to curb the sharp rise in improper behavior on airplanes in recent years.
Thanksgiving Travel Week kicked off on Tuesday (November 18), with an estimated record-breaking 81.8 million Americans expected to travel over 50 miles, an increase of about 1.6 million people from last year.
Roadways: Approximately 73 million people are expected to choose road travel, setting a new record. AAA attributes this in part to the uncertainty surrounding air travel during the previous government shutdown.
Air Travel: It is projected that 6 million people will still travel by domestic flights, a 2% increase from last year.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched the “Golden Age of Travel” civility action this week, aiming to restore etiquette in air travel.
This new rule is in response to the sharp increase in improper behavior on board. According to FAA data, incidents of inappropriate behavior on flights have increased by 400% since 2019.
While the Department of Transportation has not provided a detailed definition of “Disrespectful Dress,” it has conveyed the following core requirements through public service videos and self-assessment quizzes:
Dress Appropriately:
Encouraging passengers to dress respectfully to maintain the dignity of air travel.
Courtesy:
Reminding passengers to use “please” and “thank you” when interacting with flight crew.
Spirit of Helpfulness:
Encouraging passengers to proactively assist pregnant women or the elderly with placing their luggage.
According to INRIX’s predictions, peak congestion during departure and return is expected to be most severe.
Tuesday (November 25, departure): 12 PM to 9 PM
Wednesday (November 26, departure): 11 AM to 8 PM
Sunday (November 30, return peak): 11 AM to 8 PM
A storm potentially impacting two-thirds of the eastern United States will be a major variable for holiday travel.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, a storm extending from Texas to the Midwest states will bring rain, thunderstorms, potentially affecting hub airports like Chicago and Houston. Due to chain reactions from shortages of controllers, passengers should be prepared for long lines and delays at airports.
After Thanksgiving, the northern central regions of the United States should also be alert to frigid temperatures and potential snowfall brought by Arctic swirls.