Published on Wednesday, November 23, 2005
in the Gainesville Sun

By plane, train, automobile

If you haven't left for your Thanksgiving destination yet, expect a busy journey today.

Whether you're taking to the skies, the rails or the roads, you'll be joining more than 37 million other Americans who are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, according to the AAA Auto Club South. That's an increase of 0.8 percent over last year, the AAA said.

More than 2 million Floridians will take to the roads, with about 300,000 choosing to fly this Thanksgiving. Falling gas prices, AAA officials said, are a help to travelers, but prices are still above the average prices for this time last year.

In Florida, the average cost for regular unleaded fuel was $2.32 on Tuesday - the national average was $2.20. Last year's national average was $1.94.

And with so many travelers expected on the roads, law enforcement officials say officers will be out in full force to ensure drivers follow traffic laws. Lt. Mike Burroughs, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, said 55 people died in 48 separate crashes during the holiday last year.

None of those traffic deaths were reported in Alachua County last year - and Burroughs said he wants it to stay that way.

"The goal is to have no deaths," Burroughs said. "We feel that applying heavy enforcement on speed and seat belt violations may reduce the number of serious injuries and fatal crashes."

Burroughs advises drivers to leave Thursday if they can instead of today to avoid traffic nightmares. The most dangerous and deadly day to travel is Sunday, when everyone will head home after the holiday, Burroughs said.

Burroughs said 20 to 25 extra troopers will be on the roadways in North Central Florida for the holiday and they will be enforcing Click It or Ticket and Operation Safe Ride programs. Click It or Ticket is aimed at heightening safety belt use. Operation Safe Ride will target speed violators, Burroughs said.

Drivers leaving today should expect congestion, slowed traffic and possible delays, Burroughs said. Burroughs suggests that motorists leave as early as possible to avoid congestion later in the day. Drivers should also make sure cars are properly maintained by checking fluid levels, air pressure in tires and keeping a roadside emergency kit handy.

No matter how you're traveling, the good news is that Mother Nature is planning on cooperating.

Andrew Shashy, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, said there will be clear skies and few chances of showers through the rest of the week.

High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s, while lows are expected in the mid to upper 40s, Shashy said.

But even the pleasant weather can't prevent the most basic travel dilemmas.

For Gainesville natives who may have family visiting, finding them a hotel room is a hunt and peck process. With the Gators playing the Seminoles Saturday, hotel rooms in Gainesville have long been booked for the weekend. But there were still several vacancies at a handful of hotels on SW 13th Street in Gainesville and at hotels in outlying cities in Alachua County, according to the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau Web site.

If you're hoping to find a flight, a bus or a shuttle from Gainesville today, you may be out of luck. At the Gainesville Regional Airport, there is little availability left to reserve rental cars from the airport's six car rental companies. Only Avis, Enterprise and Hertz have some availability, while Alamo, National and Budget are sold out for the holiday, according to the companies.

And if you're hoping to hop on a shuttle that runs from Gainesville to the Jacksonville International Airport, forget it. They are completely booked.

Catching a plane if you have yet to make reservations will cost you big bucks. Carriers that fly from Gainesville such as Continental and Delta airlines are charging upward of $600 to leave today or Thursday and return Sunday. Airline officials said travelers returning Monday will get a better deal than returning Sunday.

For University of Florida students, buses are a popular way of getting home for Thanksgiving. Nearly 200 students armed with luggage and pillows lined up to board three Miami Bus Service buses Tuesday in the parking lot of the O'Connell Center. Quatrella Williams, 22, said she prefers the eight-hour trip to Miami by bus over driving herself or flying.

"It's cheap and I can sleep the whole way there," Williams, a UF junior, said. "I can't wait to get home for Thanksgiving; we have a big chicken and soul food like collard greens and sweet potatoes."

Several students said they left Tuesday because today's departures were fully booked.