Busy Day Ahead For Chicago's Airports
CHICAGO (CBS) -- O'Hare and Midway airports were packed on Wednesday as the Thanksgiving travel period got underway, but it's been smooth sailing so far.
Lines to get through security at O'Hare International Airport were what you might expect the day before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel days of the year, but they were moving along nicely.
Early arrivals at O'Hare were a bit surprised to see the long lines, but relieved to see how fast they were moving.
Walter Edwards, a police officer heading to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said he wasn't worried about the extra wait time getting through security.
"Security is, by far, more important than anything," he said.
Airlines said this is expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in eight years. Flight boards showed virtually all flights were on time, and weather was not likely to be an issue for flights in and out of Chicago.
The city's Department of Aviation has said more than 2 million travelers are expected to use O'Hare and Midway between Wednesday and next Tuesday.
Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz, said travel is up about 6 percent this year, because airlines have reduced fares. She said Chicago is the number 1 travel destination this Thanksgiving, based on flights booked through Orbitz.
With tighter security and lots of travelers at O'Hare, she said people should arrive at the airport "plenty early," even on Thanksgiving morning.
Most travelers said they planned ahead to give themselves extra time, allowing them to focus on the holiday, rather than trying to rush to get on their plane.
Edwards' face scrunched up when his wife mentioned crawfish was on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner.
"I'll drive 45 minutes to find me a Popeye's Chicken, because I ain't eating me no crawfish," he said.