1.5 Million Michiganians to Travel During Thanksgiving, Says AAA

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 15, 2007 -- An estimated 1.5 million Michiganians said they will travel during the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday period, says AAA Michigan. The Great Lakes region shows the greatest increase in expected air travel compared with Thanksgiving last year (up 4 percent).

Cars, trucks and vans represent the most popular form of Thanksgiving transportation (90 percent) -- down 1 percentage point from 2006. Slightly more Great Lakes residents will travel by air this year compared to last (10 percent versus 9 percent).

In Michigan, motorists will find gas prices at record highs for this time of year, paying an average 95.6 cents more per gallon than last year at this time. The statewide average for self-serve regular (as of Nov. 14) is $3.231 per gallon -- a record for the Thanksgiving holiday period.

"The interesting trend this holiday season is gas prices," said Claire Lockley, vice president -- Travel for The Auto Club Group. "This is the first time that we have seen gas prices topping more than $3 a gallon in November. A year ago prices were about $2.26 a gallon, so this year travelers are really feeling the pinch. But Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family gatherings and higher gas prices will not discourage Americans from connecting with their loved ones."

To help cope with heavier-than-normal traffic volumes and heightened airport security, AAA recommends arriving at the airport at least two to three hours before scheduled departure times. Check-in requirements for commercial airlines can result in loss of reserved seating for travelers who do not arrive on time (contact each airline directly for check-in rules and regulations). Other tips:

-- Confirm flight schedules. Check with your airline either online or through a toll-free number to confirm flight schedules one week prior to departure and the day before departure.

-- Print your boarding pass at home. Many airlines provide e-ticket services that allow you to print your boarding pass at home, complete with seat assignments. If you are checking luggage, you will still have to wait in line. If you have carry-on luggage only, you may proceed directly to security check-in.

-- Be aware of new 3-1-1 carry-on luggage requirements. The size and number of carry-on items may be limited. Hand-searches of checked and carry-on baggage may cause slowdowns at check-in and screening checkpoints. For carry-on requirements, visit www.tsa.gov.

-- Expect heavy congestion in front of the terminals around curbfronts. Curbs will be reserved for active loading and unloading only. Drivers dropping off or picking up passengers will not be allowed to wait. Park in short-term parking and meet your party in the baggage claim area.

NOTE FOR METRO DETROIT TRAVELERS: The Wayne County Airport Authority has opened a cell-phone waiting lot near the Smith Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to help alleviate vehicle congestion at the arrivals curb (see www.metroairport.com).

-- All passengers are required to have photo identification at the ticket counter and checkpoints. This is true regardless of the type of ticket issued (paper or electronic).

-- Wrap gifts AFTER you arrive at your destination. Security personnel may request that gifts be unwrapped at screening checkpoints.

-- Stay calm in lines and during inspections. Don't make jokes or take actions that may be construed as threatening.

-- Consult airport Web sites for information on parking availability.

The 102-hour Thanksgiving Day holiday (6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25) is traditionally a time for family travel. But the holiday coincides with the firearm deer hunting season, which means hunters will take advantage of the long holiday weekend. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), during the 16-day firearm deer season (Nov. 15-30), about 735,000 hunters will spend more than $500 million for food, lodging and transportation.

A large deer herd, combined with large numbers of cars on the road, creates a high probability for collisions. In 2006, 60,875 deer-vehicle crashes were reported. Last year, 12 motorists were killed and 1,477 were injured as a result of vehicle-deer crashes.

During the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday period, 21 persons died in 18 fatal crashes on Michigan roads, compared with 19 deaths in 2005. Restraints were used by 33 percent of the victims who had them available. Six, or 33 percent, of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

AAA Michigan urges all motorists to avoid alcohol, buckle up, be well rested, and drive defensively. For the latest Michigan traffic and construction reports, visit AAA.com/traffic.

AAA Michigan offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.