Visiting Myrtle Beach for Thanksgiving? What you need to know about traveling to, from here
This Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach could be our busiest ever, breaking 2019’s travel records by a long shot and keeping pace with what has been one of the most hectic years for travel to the Grand Strand.
There’s a lot to consider. Is it easier to fly? Drive? How to best transport Grandma’s pumpkin pie home?
AAA estimates that 53.4 million people will travel this year for Thanksgiving, up 13% from last year, bringing the U.S. within 5% of pre-COVID travel volumes for the holiday.
The nice thing, though, is the fact that we get to ponder those questions at all. Unlike last year, many health experts say it’s not only safe to travel but even recommend it. Much of America had to cancel their Thanksgiving plans last year. This year is — almost — the exact opposite. Vaccines are widely available for the vast majority of the U.S. COVID-19 cases, even with the delta variant, aren’t nearly as bad as they were at the height of the pandemic.
“This Thanksgiving, travel will look a lot different than last year,” AAA Travel senior vice president Paula Twidale said in a news release. “Now that the borders are open and new health and safety guidelines are in place, travel is once again high on the list for Americans who are ready to reunite with their loved ones for the holiday.”
However, we would like to remind everyone at the top of this story that no matter what other people are doing at the airport, federal law requires everyone to wear a mask on public transportation and transit hubs. This means both in the terminal, on the plane itself and inside and outside security. Bear in mind that airports are frequented by thousands of people a day, thousands of people who don’t know each other or regularly interact, and thousands of different ways to catch COVID-19.
If anything, the chaos of Thanksgiving travel might be a refreshing distraction from, well, the state of the universe.
What to know about flying
Speaking of fun problems, in case anyone was wondering, TSA does, in fact, allow passengers to bring frozen turkeys on planes. Why would anyone do that? The case for that is unclear. To each their own.
Anyways.
Flight traffic is expected to be “very close” to pre-pandemic levels for Thanksgiving, according to TSA. The main travel period for the holiday is considered to be Nov. 20-Nov. 29 (the Saturday before to the Monday after Thanksgiving). AAA estimates that air travel will be up 80% across the country compared to last year.
“We’re seeing — a lot of people — they’ve got that kind of pent up energy and want to want to finally get out,” TSA spokesman Mark Howell said.
This year, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) has 275 flights scheduled to depart from the airport during that period, with many more arriving, as well. While that is number is subject to change leading up to the departure of each flight, that is still a 32% increase compared to last year and a 44% increase compared to 2019. Basically, the airport will be busy.
The two busiest days at MYR will be Wednesday Nov. 24 and Sunday Nov. 28, according to departure schedules. Though, TSA says the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 23 this year, is also typically of the busiest days for flying, as well.
TSA recommends getting to the airport — that means walking in the door of the airport, not leaving your hotel — no matter where you are in the country, at least two hours early throughout most of next week. AAA recommends arriving three hours early for those flying internationally.
Expect TSA lines to be long as what feels like everyone in the country rushes to get through security and get to their flight. Ultimately, the best reason to arrive early, aside from not missing your flight, is to avoid the stress of almost missing a flight.
“With overall vaccination rates improving nationwide and greater confidence in healthy travel, there will be more people traveling so plan ahead, remain vigilant and practice kindness,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a news release.
TSA might also feel a little different than usual.
“I recommend that travelers pay attention to the guidance that the TSA officers are providing at the checkpoint,” Pekoske said in a news release. “They may be directing you to a shorter line or guiding you around someone who is moving slowly. And they may be giving you some advice that will lessen the likelihood that you’ll need a pat-down.”
It’s Thanksgiving, what can I bring on the plane?
When it comes to food, consider this tongue-twister.
“The thing to keep in mind with food is if it’s liquid based and — the way I put it — if you could pump it, pour it, spread it or spray it, and it’s more than three point four ounces, then you’ve got to remember to put it into your checked bag,” Howell said.
As we said earlier, you can bring a frozen turkey on the plane ... just not sure why you would want to, but you wouldn’t be alone. (And by not alone we mean, you know, a few comrades among the millions and millions of Americans traveling, so still not the norm.)
Anything solid: cakes, other baked goods (dressing!), etc. are all fine to go through security.
Also, planning to bring a gift? It’s best not to wrap it ahead of time, Howell said. If for some reason TSA needs to see it, whether as checked luggage or in security, it might have to be unwrapped for inspection.
Other tips
- Wear a mask, please.
- Hand sanitizer is fine to bring! TSA allows containers up to 12 oz. Alcohol wipes or antibacterial wipes are also allowed.
- TSA PreCheck will make your life easier (if you can’t get it before Thanksgiving, then it will still help for the rest of the holidays) and speed along your security experience.
- Bring your proper ID. The updated Real ID’s are not required until 2023 but make sure you still have one of the forms of acceptable identification allowed by TSA.
- Questions? Call the TSA Cares helpline at (855) 787-2227
Expect close to pre-pandemic road traffic
In 2020, 44.5 million people drove to their destination for Thanksgiving, down from 49.9 million people in 2019, according to AAA. This year, AAA forecasts that 48.3 million people will drive for the holiday, which is only a 3% decline compared to pre-pandemic.
“Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for road trips and this year will be no different even during the pandemic,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in a statement with AAA. “Drivers around major metros must be prepared for significant delays, especially Wednesday afternoon. Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.”
The increase in the popularity of driving this year comes despite the sharp rise in gas prices seen in South Carolina and across the country. As of Nov. 15, the average price per gallon in the Myrtle Beach area was $3.10, which is $1.26 higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy, which tracks gas prices at thousands of stations across the country daily.
“Similarly to last year, motorists are contending with a rise in Covid cases ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday when many drive to celebrate with friends and family. Only this year, we’re also just cents away from the highest Thanksgiving gas prices ever recorded,” GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan said in a news release. “With global oil demand surging this year as the pandemic has eased, we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory — some of the highest Thanksgiving gas prices on record. Americans are responding to the prices by slamming the car door shut and staying off the road.”
Don’t get food poisoning, please.
Remember how we mentioned that whole frozen turkey through TSA thing? Also bringing home Grandma’s pumpkin pie?
Well, keep in mind that many foods, especially frozen ones, need to be kept at a certain temperature before they start to go bad. Frozen turkeys, for example, turn rotten on the outside while the core still defrosts if left out at room temperature (airport temperature) for more than a couple hours, according to most food safety guidelines.
The Palmetto Poison Center recommends refrigerating or freezing perishable food within two hours of shopping or preparing.
Don’t place fresh produce or cooked food in the same container or on the same surface as raw meat. AKA, don’t pack your frozen turkey in the same bag as the cranberry sauce.
