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High-tech company expands downtown
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Region's stocking full of ideas for those on the prowl for holiday gifts
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Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
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Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
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Friday Night Notebook
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For your Saturday entertainment …
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Two blowouts, one night
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Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 13-47
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
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OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
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Bowling season starts today
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Headed For Disaster
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Will Health Care Reform Pass?
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Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
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Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Late purchases of airline tickets for Thanksgiving travel will be costly. Book Christmas flights now
Published on Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal business writer
If you haven't gotten your airplane tickets for Thanksgiving yet, you will pay premium prices for that airline seat, or you might want to consider driving.
Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year — in the air and on the road, beating out Christmas.
''The absolute busiest day of the year at the airport is the Sunday after Thanksgiving; 99 percent of the seats are sold out,'' said Kristie Van Auken, marketing director at theAkron-Canton Airport. ''People leave three or four days during the break, but no matter how many days they take off, they all return on Sunday.''
JoAnne Lee, general manager for travel operations at the Akron Automobile Club, said airlines let you book your flights 11 months ahead of time.
''Most people drive to their Thanksgiving destination if it's a 50-to-100 mile trip. But when it starts cutting into the time to get there and back and you add in the cost of gas, some people decide to just fly,'' said Lee.
Lee said when the agency suggests Amtrak or taking a bus, members often tell them it just takes too long to get there that way.
''There is very little left for the places that most people want to go if you haven't booked an airline flight yet,'' said Lee of Triple A.
''There are also fewer flights this year; larger airlines have scaled back.''
Lee said every time the price of oil goes up, so does gasoline at the pumps and eventually airline tickets.
''Airline prices are going up 5 to 10 percent because of oil prices,'' said Van Auken. ''Airline officials say they spend 38 percent of their profits on fuel.''
She said airlines are not adding a lot of domestic capacity. They are replacing less fuel-efficient airplanes with newer planes. Larger airplanes are being purchased to fly overseas, because those flights are more profitable than domestic flights.
Van Auken said that half of those who will be flying will be on their only flight of the year, so they should familiarize themselves with the security rules at http://www.tsa.gov.
The basic rules are:
Arrive at the airport early.
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers and placed in a baggie. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Don't wear items that will slow you down before you can get through security. Do wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
If you haven't booked your Christmas flights yet, Lee said, ''Do it yesterday, do it now; fares keep going up.''
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal business writer
Get the full article here.
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