What to expect while traveling for the holidays

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- If Thanksgiving plans including traveling between Wednesday and Sunday that week, the transit experts said it’s best to plan ahead, arrive early and be prepared for any changes.

While at the airport, it’s important to keep an eye on flight times and delays, with turbulent weather expected across the country Thanksgiving week.

Weather delays is exactly what Ian Richards from Culver, Indiana ran into while traveling home to his family for the holidays.

He arrived well in advance for his first flight on Thanksgiving eve, but explained it was for the best since his plane had to be put on pause.

“Denver was snowing super heavy. They had to de-ice… it took like two hours sitting on the plane. Then once we got going it was nice, same with Chicago, it’s just kind of hurry up and wait,” said Richards.

Most airlines require bags to be checked in at least 30 minutes before the departure time, or having to rebook the flight is a risk.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari also explained that’s a good rule of them no matter what the travel plans are.

“If it’s delayed getting out of here or somewhere else, whether it’s a plane or a train, it could be delayed getting to where you’re supposed to board… Even at some of our smaller stations in Illiana, I think you’re still better off getting there about 45 minutes beforehand,” said Magliari.

He went on to explain there should also be an expectation of busy crowds and delays as everyone works to get back to where they need to after Thanksgiving comes to a close.

“Nearly everybody needs to be back where they started from by Monday morning, so Sunday it could be even busier at all of our stations in Illiana, whether you’re talking about Elkhart, South Bend, or if you’re up at Niles or even all the way up to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo,” expressed Magliari.