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CNN Live Today

Americans Travel With Caution on Memorial Day Weekend

Aired May 24, 2002 - 10:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In the meantime, across the country in Washington, the Department of Transportation has issued a warning about possible -- possible -- attacks on rail and transit systems across the country. Law enforcement got the warning on Wednesday. But the FBI didn't put out a warning or an alert or advisory at all. The warning follows a general threat against subway systems.

And this around Memorial Day -- that's Monday -- the unofficial start of summer and the driving season. And if your holiday plans call for you to be out there on the road in this time of heightened awareness of security, or even in the air, you're going to want to know what to expect out there.

And for that, we turn to Sean Callebs, who is standing by at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): This is a scene that is being played all across the country as Americans begin to head out this Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional kick off of the summer vacation.

But for many people this will be the first time returning to the skies since the September 11th tragedy, and a lot of people are going to find that their local airport has changed somewhat dramatically over the past several months.

For example, here in Atlanta, only those departing on flights, going to the ticket counter, are allowed to come down through this side to go through these lanes of traffic. If you are going to be picking up someone, friend or loved one, then you must come around and actually go on this side of the median and come down, to pick up someone arriving, and load the bags. That is causing some confusion. But overall, operations are going very smoothly at this time of day here in Atlanta. There has been a steady stream of traffic, of people going to curb-side check in. That is translating into some rather long lines inside, at ticket counters, and especially security areas.

But if that is leading to any irritation, we have not seen that from passengers. Now, overall, air travel is down from last year -- about 7 percent. But if there is a hint of good news, it is that this holiday weekend, more people will be returning to the air than at any other time since September 11th. Now, let's go through the numbers game for you, just a moment. It is estimated 35 million people in the United States are going to be traveling at least 50 miles from their home over the next few days. An overwhelming number of those, AAA tells us, are going to be traveling in their car -- about 30 million people; 4.1 million are going to be returning to the air; and another 1.8 million will be traveling either by bus or by rail. No matter how you do travel over the next few days, it appears the key word is going to have to be patience.

Sean Callebs, CNN, at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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