Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Tips for Travelers this Holiday Season

Aired November 21, 2001 - 06:55   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Maybe you're planning to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, you certainly will not be alone. AAA says about 34 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home and nearly 90 percent are planning to drive. AAA also expects a 15 to 20 percent drop in air travel. Amtrak adding 75,000 seats. And the big gray dog, Greyhound Bus, says more people are leaving the driving to them.

Let's check in with Stephanie Oswald. She's at Hartsfield International Airport with us this morning -- Steph.

STEPHANIE OSWALD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Donna.

That's right, it's a little chilly here at the airport, but the travel season is just starting to warm up and the crowds are here at Hartsfield International. The best advice we have for people is to get here early. The security line, in particular, is very long. Check-in doesn't seem to be too bad right now, but the security lines are long.

And people need to be prepared. They need to be prepared to wait. They need to be prepared for delays. And you need to think about confirming your flight before you get to the airport, bringing things with you like some extra snacks and maybe a book to read because you're going to be spending a lot of time at the airport if you're traveling in the next couple of days.

KELLEY: All right, Stephanie, thank...

OSWALD: Restrictions were...

KELLEY: Go right ahead.

OSWALD: I was just going to say, restrictions right now are everywhere in the airport. Things have really changed since September 11, and parking is restricted. The number of people in the area for curbside check-in is restricted. And also, when you go out to the concourse, the number of people who -- are restricted there as well. If you have a ticket, you can go out on the concourse, but otherwise, you cannot. So if you've got a carry-on that's fragile or especially heavy, you need to be able to bring that out yourself. You need to be able to not be able to count on anyone else to help with you that.

So Thanksgiving travel is a little different this year. KELLEY: Yes, bring your patience and a sense of humor.

Stephanie Oswald, thanks very much. We'll see you soon.

OSWALD: All right.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com