Heading Out for a ShortTrip? Provide Yourself with Plenty of Time, as Airports are Crowded

By Yehudit Garmaise

New Yorkers heading out for a quick vacation this Presidents’ Day should provide extra time for getting to local airports, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anticipates the coming days to be particularly busy days for travel.

44,700 Americans are expected to head to local airports for brief trips on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

To determine the best time to leave for the airport, subtract a full two hours, or more because of the crowds, before te expected time of departure. 

People taking public transportation should leave three hours before departure to ensure that airports’ kiosks will still allow passengers to check-in with time to spare.

Not only will traffic be heavy on the way to New York City airports, but the heavier crowds at the airports will mean longer lines at check-in and security.

"Bring things for yourself and your kids to read and to do,” says one traveler heading to Florida. “Stay calm in the crowds.”

If you want to take advantage of the time away from regular demands instead of “keeping yourself busy” with work on the road, the usual waits involved with traveling provide a great time to relax, take a few breaths, think, dream, say Tehillim, and make notes or lists for new ideas.”