Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Travel / Outdoors


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published November 26, 2008 at 10:52 AM | Page modified November 26, 2008 at 3:53 PM

Comments (1)     E-mail article     Print view

Coping with Thanksgiving crowds at Sea-Tac and beyond

How to cope with Thanksgiving crowds at Sea-Tac airport and on the highways

If you're flying out of Sea-Tac airport today and over the weekend, be ready for a crowd. The number of passengers is expected reach 100,000 today and 101,000 Sunday, then drop back down to about 90,000 on Monday and Tuesday, said airport spokesman Perry Cooper.

That means not just the airport terminal but Sea-Tac airport roadways — and the parking garage — can be congested, so give yourself extra time getting to and from the airport. Before you go to any airport over this Thanksgiving period, be sure to check for flight delays with your airline. Delays at any major airport in the U.S. can boomerang through the air-travel system. For Sea-Tac, you also can check real-time flight information online for Sea-Tac at http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/flightinfo.aspx Or get a text-message update on your Sea-Tac flight sent to your cellphone; see www.portseattle.org/seatac/traveler/index.shtml for details.

To avoid some of the lines at the airport, check in online and print your boarding pass at home. If you're traveling with carry-on luggage only, you then can go straight to the airport security checkpoint line.

Pack with airport security in mind. Remember, the restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags still apply (three-ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel that must fit in 1 quart-sized plastic bag); get details at www.tsa.gov, the Web site of the Transportation Security Administration.

If you're driving, check road conditions at www.wsdot.wa.gov. And road travelers can check on highways statewide by calling 511.

Expect Interstate 5 and other highways to be busiest from about noon today into the early evening. The worst time could be midafternoon: Travel time on I-5 between Seattle and Federal Way is expected to take as long as 90 minutes at 4 and 5 p.m. today

If you're traveling by train, Amtrak Cascades is operating one extra round trip between Seattle and Portland today through Saturday and two additional round trips on Sunday. Get information at www.amtrakcascades.com

Information from Seattle Times reporter Kristin Jackson and The Olympian in included in this report.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Travel headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
How about some tips on the best/fasted security area or the best out of the way eateries?  Posted on November 26, 2008 at 6:22 PM by grnlkgoon. Jump to comment

advertising

NEW - 12:25 PM
Rick Steves' Europe: Ride the buses for city sights

NEW - 12:40 PM
Airlines fined for stranding passengers on tarmac

NEW - 12:33 PM
Pass the turkey — and the swine flu?

Get ready for Thanksgiving flight delays, thanks to New York

Biofuel used on Boeing 747 flight

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Follow seattletimes.com on Twitter

Get the top stories on-the-go by following seattletimes.com on Twitter. We'll tweet the news and information you need around the clock and keep you up-to-date no matter where you are. Go to www.twitter.com/seattletimes to sign up now.

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising