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Early On, Holiday Travel Going Smoothly

Few delays reported on roads, airports at start of Thanksgiving rush

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 26, 2008 11:53 AM CST

(AP) – Travelers breezed through airport terminals and drivers cruised open roads today, the effects of a sour economy blamed for keeping people closer to home at the start of the annual Thanksgiving rush. Even though gas prices fell and airlines offered last-minute deals, many Americans appeared to be skipping trips this year.

Security lines were less than 10 minutes long at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the world's busiest airport, and travelers found parking spots in the front row of the lot at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. The Automobile Association of America says 41 million Americans were expected to travel more than 50 miles for the holiday, down about 1.5%, or 600,000 people, from last year. Flying is expected to be down more sharply, about 7%.

Passengers arrive for flights out of Cleveland Hopkins Airport in Cleveland today.
Passengers arrive for flights out of Cleveland Hopkins Airport in Cleveland today.   (AP Photo)
The US Airways ticketing area at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia is seen Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving. Despite plummeting gas prices and unusual last-minute holiday deals on airplane tickets, more people are expected to stick close to home this Thanksgiving.
The US Airways ticketing area at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia is seen Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving. Despite plummeting gas prices and unusual last-minute...   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A traveler makes his way down a hallway between terminals at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving. Despite plummeting gas prices and unusual last-minute holiday deals on airplane tickets, more people are expected to stick close to home this Thanksgiving.
A traveler makes his way down a hallway between terminals at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving. Despite plummeting gas prices...   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Travelers make their way through terminal B at Logan Airport in Boston today.
Travelers make their way through terminal B at Logan Airport in Boston today.   (AP Photo)
Travelers make their way through terminal B at Logan Airport in Boston today.
Travelers make their way through terminal B at Logan Airport in Boston today.   (AP Photo)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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