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If You're Flying At Thanksgiving, Don't Forget The Pie

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Traveling at the holidays can be stressful. But hey, you can bring pie.

Thanksgiving week marks the opening of the holiday travel rush. Back in 2014, Ed booked a flight to Michigan scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving. Foolish mortal.

“Don’t do that,” said knkx travel expert Matthew Brumley.

It’s not SeaTac Airport’s busiest time of the year (that’s summer, they say), but it’s pretty close. In this encore presentation of "Going Places," knkx travel expert Matthew Brumley offers tips to make it manageable.

(And yes, you can bring pie!)

1. If Possible, Travel On Thanksgiving Day

Highway and airport volumes tend to be lighter.

“If you’re only going a short distance, you might want to consider just getting there on Thanksgiving,” Brumley said.

2. Do Some Research Ahead Of Time

If you're driving, look at alternative routes that might help you avoid freeway congestion. Country backroads can be a more scenic way to make the trip. Oh, and check the weather, too.

3. Pack Lightly

If flying, pack only what you need, and carry your luggage aboard the plane. Lost luggage, especially on typically short Thanksgiving trips, can be a real game changer. Plus, gates change and sometimes flights are delayed, you don’t want to be dragging everything you own through the airport.

4. Bring Food And An Empty Water Bottle To The Airport

Lines will be long at restaurants. Remember to make it an empty water bottle, so you can get through security.

One more tip: “The TSA website says you can’t bring gels on board, but you can bring a pie,” Brumley says. No excuses for showing up empty-handed.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what you can and can’t take on a plane, by the way, you can search by keyword on the TSA website.

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"Going Places" is 88.5's weekly exploration of travel topics. Matthew Brumley is the co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions, which provides small-group travel to clients including knkx.

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.