What "It's A Wonderful Life" is to the classic Christmas movie genre, "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles" is to Thanksgiving.
For millions of Americans, the day before Thanksgiving is less a sleigh ride to grandmother's house than a nightmarish trek through airport terminals, clogged highways, and packed trains. The struggle was perhaps perfectly captured by the 1987 John Hughes film that paired Steve Martin and John Candy as two unlikely compatriots trying to return home to their families for the holiday.
So how are things shaping up for 2008 travelers? Seems like a mix of bad and good news. According to a Zagat's survey, NYC has some of the worst- (and THE worst, we're looking at you Laguardia) rated airports in the nation. Airlines are still pushing bag-check surcharges on customers and delays are as rampant as on-time arrivals are absent. At least baggage scales are mostly accurate.
On the plus side, The New York Times reports that many travel companies are offering last-minute inducements to get people on the move. In response to a 1.4% contraction in people who plan on travelling more than 50 miles from home during the holidays, cruise ships and airlines are advertising travel packages. Companies are responding to customers tightening their purse strings in more uncertain economic times.
Drivers also have something to be happy about--the price of a gallon of gas has dropped almost 50% in the region. Where prices at the pump sometimes topped $4 a gallon over the summer travel season, the average cost has now dipped below $2 in New Jersey. Now that's something to be thankful for.
