Holiday headache

If you spend most of tomorrow packing your bags and getting on the road to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family in other places, you are not alone. In fact, Thanksgiving is the most travel-friendly holiday of the year, industry leaders said.

This year, 35.9 Americans are planning to travel more than 50 miles for the Thanksgiving weekend, according to a AAA survey conducted Nov. 13. That's an increase of 1.7 percent from last year, when an estimated 35.3 million people traveled more than 50 miles for the holiday.

"Last year, I went home [to Tacoma, Wash.] and even though I only had one flight, from Anchorage to Seattle, it was a nightmare," said Palmer resident Anne Turcotte. "This year, I told my husband that the family can come to us rather than us going to them."

The largest increase in this year's travel plans is probably going to be felt by the airline industry, AAA estimated.

A total of 30.8 million people plan to go by motor vehicle, which is almost a 1-percent increase from last year. But 5.1 million Americans plan to go by air, a jump of almost 6 percent.

"Despite an economy that still shows only sporadic signs of recovery, holiday travelers are returning to the skies in numbers almost as heavy as during the Thanksgiving periods prior to 2001," said AAA travel vice president Sandra Hughes. "This is definitely a positive sign for an airline industry that has struggled mightily in the last year."

People usually believe that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving -- tomorrow -- is the busiest travel day of the year, but that's not the case, at least for the airlines. The worst travel day of the year, in terms of other travelers sharing airplanes and the road -- is actually the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when everyone is returning home.

"We flew the Monday before Thanksgiving, and it was already busy," Turcotte said. "And this was just a month after the attacks [Sept.11], and we figured we'd have the plane to ourselves," Turcotte said. "We came home the Monday after the holiday, and it was even worse."

Turcotte isn't imagining things. The second-busiest travel day of the year is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, followed closely by the Monday after Thanksgiving.

On the roads, however, Wednesday really is the busiest day. Travel experts recommend people who can do it to wait until early Thursday morning to travel because roads are often deserted, meaning a quicker, and safer, trip. If you are looking for a travel bargain, however, consider vacationing the week after Thanksgiving, called "Dead Week" by industry insiders.

Most Thanksgiving travel in Alaska means going 50 or more miles to friends and family. High gas prices are a part of the Thanksgiving travel scene, but AAA said the 25 cent increase over gas prices from last year won't affect plans.

"The higher gas prices should not alter travel plans since most Americans who expect to travel have already made their plans and will not cancel them or postpone them because they have to spend more for fuel," Hughes said.

Many industry leaders contend that Thanksgiving, unlike any other holiday, is a disaster-proof, recession-proof holiday, because people travel to spend the extended weekend with their family, regardless of conditions.

Thanksgiving travel tips

When driving

Patience. Angry drivers and busy roads often result in accidents.

Stay cool and drive defensively. Be alert and aware of changing surroundings.

Remember that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. Avoid large malls when driving, because the roads will be clogged, and angry drivers will be everywhere. Don't become an angry driver yourself.

Beware of changing weather. Give your self plenty of time in case of varying weather. Plan ahead, and bring some things like tire chains, just in case.

When flying

You can't be too early. Plain and simple. Arrive early to avoid more stress.

Check flight status repeatedly. Delays pop up minute by minute. Have your airline's phone number programmed in your cell phone.

Fly in the morning and late at night, when delays are less common.

Ship gifts and luggage ahead of your flight.

Carry essentials in your carry-on luggage, in case your luggage is lost.

Bring your CD player, laptop computer and some snacks, because delays are inevitable, so you may as well make the most of it.