Holiday travel returns as people head back home

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Despite Christmas being over – the TSA expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2.

Airlines are expecting December 26, 27 and 29 to be some of their busiest days following the holidays.

We could see record travel this year, topping the previous high set in 2019.

Thursday was a fairly busy day with flights arriving and departing from Tucson International – however it hasn’t been a smooth traveling experience for everyone.

Rori Glover flew to Tucson for the holidays, she said despite one delay, it was easy.

However, trying to get back home has been the exact opposite as all of Glover’s flights to Little Rock have been delayed or canceled.

And Thursday, she was told by American Airlines that the next flight she could get wouldn’t be until Friday.

“It’s been a day for sure. I noticed a lot of other people having trouble with their flights too,” Glover said. “It’s kind of a fun bonding experience, because you get to talk to people, and it’s like, yeah, we’re all in this together you know?”

However, Glover said she couldn’t miss any more work, so she asked for a flight to Dallas. Her mother will drive from Arkansas to get her in Dallas and drive back to home – at least a 10-hour roundtrip.

“It’s frustrating, but I like a good road trip at the very least,” Glover said.

Glover’s situation has not been the case for too many.

Mike Snyder flew in from Minneapolis this morning on Delta Airlines and reported a seamless experience, but he credits that to preparation.

“I also have an app that kind of looks ahead at the airport, and I saw that it was going to be a little longer than usual, so we left with plenty of time,” Snyder said.

There have been a good number of flights both arriving at and departing from TIA that have either been delayed or canceled, and they’re not solely tied to a single airline.

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