Calm prevails at O'Hare as busiest travel period of the year arrives
While the turkey and dressing are key, Thanksgiving is all about reconnecting with the people you love, travelers at O'Hare International Airport said Wednesday.
Although more than 2.4 million people are supposed to head through the airport during the Thanksgiving holiday period, lines were limited and travelers were in a festive mood.
"For me it's about getting together with the whole family from all these different places. That's what makes it special," said Candace Cox. The Concord, Mass., resident was waiting at O'Hare for her son David's flight. The two were headed to Algonquin for a reunion with more than 20 relatives where Cox's niece will cook.
"That's the best thing about getting older," said Cox, 62.
En route to Naperville from Washington, D.C., the Cortina family enjoyed a smooth trip.
"There were no delays, the planes all left on time," Kristy Cortina said.
"I'm surprised nobody's here," said Kristy's mother-in-law Therese Cortina, looking around the relatively empty baggage area.
Twenty-three Cortina relatives will gather in Naperville, including four babies.
"It's all about family," said Melissa Cortina, Kristy's daughter.
Experts are cautioning travelers to get to the airport two hours ahead of scheduled departures, especially with the sloppy weather. The Thanksgiving forecast is cloudy and breezy with a high near 39 degrees, though showers and possibly snow could be on the menu as well, the National Weather Service said.
Just in time for the winter, $35 seasonal flu shots and $25 H1N1 flu vaccines will be offered at the UIC Clinic in O'Hare's Terminal 2. The service is for ticketed passengers and the H1N1 is restricted to pregnant women, medical workers, caregivers for infants under 6 months, people aged 6 months to 24 years, and those aged 25 to 64 with certain health problems.
O'Hare will expand the program to kiosks in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 Saturday. Midway International Airport will start offering seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines Saturday. For information, check out the Web site flychicago.com.
The AAA has reported there will be a 1.4 percent overall increase in Americans traveling 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period. That's 38.4 million people this season compared to 37.8 million during Thanksgiving in 2008.
However, both the AAA and the Air Transport Association predict a dip in the number of fliers.
Although not crowded, Terminal 1 had a steady stream of travelers Wednesday morning, from 8-year-old Chelsea Christopher of Milwaukee, who brought her violin along to play Bach to her grandparents in Washington, D.C., to Buddhist monks flying to Bangkok, to the Magnussons leaving the chilly Western suburbs to see relatives in sunny Atlanta.
For Anni, 11, and 15-year-old Liesel Magnusson, it will be the first Thanksgiving after the death of their grandfather.
"We wanted to be together as a family," mother Robin Magnusson said. "We'll have some down time."
Travelers said they appreciated the uniquely American nature of Thanksgiving.
"You can't get into trouble saying 'Happy Thanksgiving' to anyone," Robin Magnusson said.
Federal authorities stationed at O'Hare reminded fliers with carry-on luggage to limit liquids to 3 ounces or less. U.S. Customers and Border Protection officials also noted that citizens coming home from Canada or Mexico are required to have a valid passport or passport card.
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