Picture-perfect Thanksgiving reunions ... and tips for travel trials
You could see Thanksgiving in Miriam Harpaz's eyes as she watched granddaughter Natalie caper around the baggage carousel at O'Hare International Airport Tuesday.
The 3-year-old and her mom, Sharon Plotch, flew from New York City straight into the arms of grandparents Miriam and Nathan of Glenview. They are just two of the 1.4 million people expected to pass through O'Hare over the holiday.
"To have our daughter come in for Thanksgiving from Brooklyn ... it's the top ... it's one of the top things to have in your life," an ecstatic Harpaz said. "Thank God we have Thanksgiving."
But what if instead of cherishing that moment of Zen when you hand the baby off to relatives and relax, you're elbowing fellow fliers, lockstep in an airport line to nowhere as loudspeakers drone out inaudible bad news?
Keep calm, and smartphone on, Travelocity senior editor Courtney Smith advises.
"Your smartphone and social media will help you in case of a delay. ... You may find out before the folks at the desk do," Smith said.
One tip is to communicate directly with carriers using Twitter or Facebook.
"Most of the real-time delays are tweeted out by airlines," Smith said. "Airlines have social media customer service teams. If your flight is canceled, you can send a message ... and ask what are the next steps."
Another resource is flightaware.com, a flight-tracking website, she added.
With a nor'easter expected to bring rain and snow to the East Coast Wednesday, fliers passing through that area should expect everything from minor delays to cancellations.
Some airlines, such as United, are already waiving rescheduling fees on flights that could be affected by the storm. Savvy passengers should check in advance for flexible travel policies, Smith said.
If worse comes to worst and you're stranded, "lock onto your mobile app and check on the availability of airport hotels. If you know there's no way you're getting out, you can be one of the first people to change plans," she said.
The turkey traffic at O'Hare and Midway International airports could total 1.9 million people between Tuesday and Dec. 2, the Chicago Department of Aviation reports. That includes more than 530,000 people at Midway. The busiest travel day is projected to be Sunday.
It was relatively calm at O'Hare Tuesday as two other grandparents, June and Patrick Walsh of Wilmette, waited for a flight to Maine and turkey with a side of lobster at their son's home in Portland.
Their suitcases bulged with toys and books for two grandchildren. "We'd bring much more if we didn't have to carry it," June Walsh said.
The couple are originally from Ireland and Great Britain, but they've adopted American Thanksgiving traditions.
"It's very meaningful," Patrick Walsh said. He's thankful "for good health, for long life, for easy days with arthritis, and for our children and grandchildren."