MILWAUKEE — Experiencing that post-holiday joy after reconnecting with loved ones and embarking on travels is truly unparalleled.
MacKenzie Orcutt, who journeyed from Boston, expressed the significance of family reunions during this festive period, stating, “It’s just exciting to see family and have an excuse to all get together. My friend and I live in different cities so it’s nice that we’re kind of using this holiday break to be able to see each other.”
While the holiday season is often dubbed as the most wonderful time of the year, travelers at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport were now focused on returning to their respective homes.
David Dunker, en route from Florida, shared his anticipation of returning to the warmth and sunshine, mentioning, “We’re headed back home to Florida where it’s warmer and we can see the sun.”
The early morning rush around 6 a.m. on Friday emphasized the importance of heeding the advice to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to departure, with seemingly endless queues snaking through the terminals.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipated screening over 2.6 million individuals at airport security checkpoints nationwide on Friday.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Saturday is projected to be the busiest day with more than 48,000 flights scheduled.
Despite the initial chaos, Orcutt, who visited Milwaukee for the holidays, noted a significant improvement just two hours later, remarking, “Honestly, not bad at all. I was expecting a lot more traffic at the airport this morning. I was in and out of security in like 10 minutes and this is a small airport so.”
Dunker commended the airlines for ensuring smooth operations despite the queues, emphasizing his hassle-free journey from Florida to Wisconsin to visit family.
“It’s been going very well,” Dunker affirmed. “We flew here directly, no delays and so far so good leaving.”
Nevertheless, Dunker emphasized the unpredictability of holiday travel, cautioning about potential challenges such as traffic, inclement weather, and the enduring queues that may unexpectedly disrupt travel plans.
“Just to be prepared to travel and if there’s delays you’re going to have to live with them,” Dunker advised.
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