OHIO — Holiday travelling can bring a sprinkle of joy until people get stuck at an airport.

AAA is projecting record numbers of passengers this year. Officials said they expect more than 200,000 travelers to head out from John Glenn International Airport. That’s up 3.5% from last year.

What You Need To Know

  • Travelling during the week of Thanksgiving can get pretty hectic 

  • Don Barker, the TSA federal security director, emphasized checking in a fire gun, or anything that’s not allowed in a plane's cabin, because that can slow down the security checking process

  • Officials said if something necessary it can get checked in with the bigger luggage

  • Visitors should prepare ahead for parking needs 

Travelling during the week of Thanksgiving can get pretty hectic, especially for people like Jacob Becton, who’s travelling for the first time to go to basic Airforce training in San Antonio.

“A little nervous, but I’m really excited. I have my friends here with me, so it should be a lot of fun,” Becton said. “I’m going to miss thanksgiving Christmas and new year’s with my family.”

Other travelers like Sharon Smith and her husband of 20 years are travelling for football.

Smith said their kids had other plans this year, so they decided to have some fun themselves.

They’re both Buckeyes fans.

“We came down for the football game,” Smith said. “We’re going to travel through Columbus and come back for the Michigan game.”

Don Barker, the TSA federal security director, said this is one of the busiest times of the year.

Barker emphasized checking in a fire gun, or anything that’s not allowed in a plane cabin, because that can slow down the security checking process.

“Thanksgiving always comes on Thursday, so people tend to take a few days off during the week,” Barker said. “So they get spread out, but on the back end of it everybody’s trying to get back to work and get back in town. So, Sunday and Monday, if you’re flying out of here, expect that to be the busiest.”

Some other examples that can slow down security checkpoints are liquids such as shampoo, or even forgetting a wine opener.

They said if something is necessary it can get checked in with the bigger luggage.

Breann Gonzalez Almos, Manager, Communications and Media Relations of Columbus Regional Airport Authority urged people to prepare.

“Know those parking options before you get here and have a parking plan,” Gonzalez Almos said. “We’re also suggesting leave early 90 minutes before a flight, two hours before an international flight.”

Smith said she and her husband are planning to face traffic.

“So we’re out for an adventure,” Smith said. “We know it’s going to be busy, but we’re hoping for the best.”

One thing they’ve done to help at the airport is bring in therapy dogs to spread love and joy for whoever needs it.

They’re also handing badges and wristbands with a sign that will indicate difficulty travelling so the staff will know to give extra care.

As for Becton’s travels, those were up to the military.

“They planned that to get ahead of [the traffic] so we don’t get stuck in down there or stuck somewhere where we can’t get home,” Becton said.