From the Atlanta Journal Constitution News:
September 1, 2023 Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s domestic atrium was full of long lines of travelers waiting to go through security on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. The holiday travel period running through the Tuesday after Labor Day will bring more than 300,000 passengers a day through the Atlanta airport on peak days and Friday was expected to be the busiest day of the Labor Day travel period, with 330,000 passengers passing through the Atlanta airport. That includes nearly 94,000 departing travelers that was expected at security checkpoints. For the Transportation Security Administration, passenger volumes through Hartsfield-Jackson checkpoints have made 2023 so far the busiest year on record, said Robert Spinden, TSA’s federal security director in Atlanta. Drivers taking road trips this Labor Day weekend will likely see gas prices similar to last year when the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.78. Prices at the pump won’t deter some drivers, including those who will begin the holiday weekend even earlier. Many travelers plan to escape from the heat. “Most travelers will leave on Thursday or Friday before Labor Day to take advantage of the long holiday weekend,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “Domestically, the Pacific Northwest, big cities like New York and Denver, and tourist hotspots like Orlando and Las Vegas are the most popular. Internationally, it’s all about Europe and Canada.” For those taking road trips, plan ahead and leave early to avoid the congestion that will build as the weekend approaches, experts advise. And whether driving a vehicle or boat, remember to be well-rested and alert. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)