NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but also one of the busiest for holiday travel.
Although there has been no shortage of crowds at the airport, there is one silver lining this year: Nashville isn’t expected to see any record-breaking travel due to the holiday falling in the middle of the week.
“Everyone was in a good mood — very relaxed,” said Melissa Walker, visiting from Charleston. “Everyone was very happy, saying, ‘Merry Christmas!'”
“I always think it’s going to be busy, but [I was] in and out,” added Brooks Morrow, traveling from Brooklyn. “I got to my gate in, like, 10 minutes. It was fast.”
Even though crowds are expected to be more spread out this holiday season, TSA still urges passengers to arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure.
TSA also reminded passengers to leave gifts unwrapped or in a gift bag. They also urged travelers to check any weapons they may be traveling with.
“The traffic coming here is always crazy — as usual — in Nashville, but coming into the parking garage it wasn’t too bad this morning,” aid Savannah Nolan, picking up family from airport. “Parking spots are filling up, but I think more towards the weekend, it’s going to get a lot busier. People probably want to leave a little sooner.”
Passengers at BNA said adding even a few extra minutes can go a long way in avoiding unnecessary headaches.
“Just remember why you’re traveling,” said Eleazar Craig, traveling from Louisiana. “And at the end of the day, by nighttime and by Christmas Day, you’ll be with the ones you love. So it’s all worth it.”
However, some people won’t be flying. They’ll be driving instead. Based on Nationwide Insurance claim data, December 23 ranks as the most dangerous day to drive this month, followed by the weekends before and after Christmas.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) urged drivers to keep their eyes focused on the road at all times. Troopers will be out in full force looking for distracted, aggressive and impaired driving.
“It’s the holiday season, we’re going to throw everything we have at it, all of our troopers across the state will be out there trying to make the roadways safer,” THP Colonel, Matt Perry, said.
