LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – More than 80 million travelers are expected to hit the roads and skies ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, according to AAA.
Kelly Campbell, executive director for Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, said although it will be the busiest time of the year, the airport will do everything it can to make travel experiences as smooth as possible.
“It will be busy and people will be stressed with the impacts of the recent government shutdown,” Campbell said. “Things are a little more stressed than normal, and so, we will do a great job of getting people through,” Campbell said.
Parking and transportation options
Campbell said the airport parking lot will fill up quickly, but there are plenty of parking options.
“We have a great facility down at airport shelter park. You park and ride up, they will pick you up and bring you up to the terminal building and then when you return it will take you back,” Campbell said. “We have overflow prepared. We’re getting that ready and we will have it, so we will have plenty of parking and we will have signs to indicate where that parking is at and where it’s available.”
Security guidelines for holiday travelers
To make the security experience easier, travelers are asked to make sure any gifts in their bags are unwrapped.
“If TSA has questions on the content of the package, they will undo your wrapping,” Campbell said.
Campbell said traveling during the holidays can be stressful, but she encourages everyone to work together as they travel to see their loved ones.
“We just ask everybody to remember the season and to be kind. Be kind to those people who are working hard, everybody from the airline to TSA to our custodians; our police officers, our ops agents, everybody wants a good experience for you,” Campbell said.
Airport officials remind travelers to arrive early and give themselves extra time. Flight delays or cancelations can be tracked on the city of Lubbock website.
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