By air, rail or highway, year-end South Florida holiday celebrants are poised to pack up and leave town this weekend, jamming the region’s public transportation systems during the final week of 2024.
But a surprise possibility of major disruptions loomed as Congress struggled to reach an agreement to keep the federal government functioning past Friday.
A shutdown could slow the operations of the Transportation Security Administration, whose employees staff airport checkpoints nationwide. The work of air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration could also be affected. As “essential” employees, they are all required to work without pay, although many have called in sick during past shutdowns.
Last year, the Department of Homeland Security declared in an advisory that shutdowns have resulted in “significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country” as some workers refused to work unless they are paid.
On average, the TSA screens 2.5 million airline passengers across the nation each day. A shutdown could also “potentially delay the deployment of new security technology equipment to airports,” the agency said.
Before heading to the airport, travelers can contact TSA regarding checkpoint questions by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) or via social media through X (Twitter @AskTSA) or Facebook Messenger (http://www.fb.com/AskTSA).
South Florida’s three international airports were preparing for yet another strong surge of holiday travelers between now and the first week of January:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
For the 17-day holiday period between this Saturday and Jan. 6, the airport said in a statement, the airport expects more than 2.1 million travelers during the year-end Christmas and New Year’s peak holiday travel time frame. That’s an increase of nearly 6% versus 2023.
All told, the airport expects to serve an average of 124,054 passengers a day during the 17-day travel period.
The busiest days will be the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before Christmas, followed by the Sunday and Monday ahead of before New Year’s Day and the first Saturday after the start of 2025.
Tips:
- Parking: Before Thanksgiving, the airport raised its long-term parking garage fees to $20 per vehicle, up from $15. Valet parking is $30 a day, up from $25. Short-term parking for drivers picking up or dropping off passengers remained at a maximum of $36 for a full day. But the fee became more expensive for shorter periods as the charge is now $2 for every 20 minutes. The airport’s parking app can be found at https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Parking/Pages/App.aspx
- Pickups and drop-offs: Consider using the airport’s upper-level (departures) roadway when the lower-level (arrivals) roadway is congested. “It’s easy to move between the upper and lower levels of our terminals (via an elevator, staircase, escalator),” the airport says.
- Ground transportation: Booths are located in each terminal on the lower level for arrivals. Customer service coordinators are available to answer questions during peak flight arrivals. Contact the ground transportation office at 1-866-I-FLY-FLL (1-866-435-9355) and select Option 3.
- No weapons: Travel plans will be interrupted if caught with a weapon at a TSA screening checkpoint, even if you have a concealed weapons permit. TSA penalties may exceed $10,000. You may also be arrested. “If you plan to travel with a licensed firearm, the TSA says it should be unloaded, packed in a special locked container, declared with your airline, and transported as checked luggage,” according to the Broward County Aviation Department, which is active in a federal/local “No Carry-On Gun” campaign.
Source: FLL statement and website
Miami International Airport
The airport is expecting more than 3 million passengers during the 17-day travel period that includes Christmas and New Year’s Day for a daily average of nearly 165,000 people. That’s a 1% increase over a “record-breaking travel season” in 2023.
“The projection also puts MIA on track to reach a new annual record of 55 million passengers by the end of the month,” the airport said.
Tips:
- Arrive three hours before flights to offer enough time for parking, check-ins and TSA security screening.
- Use online airline check-in ahead of arrival at the airport. MIA offers updated flight information online and on its mobile app.
Source: MIA statement
Palm Beach International Airport
No projected traveler figures were available Thursday.
Tips:
- Book early and avoid peak days, choosing the earliest flight “and try to fly on less popular travel days to minimize delays and crowds,” airport officials say.
- Arrive early: Two hours is recommended, as holiday travel often means longer wait times at check-in and security.
- Flight status: Stay in touch with your airline or use their mobile apps for real-time updates.
- Check bags for prohibited items: Review the TSA’s list of restricted items.
- Plan for parking or rideshare: Parking areas fill up quickly during the holidays. Arrive early to secure a spot or consider using Lyft, Uber, taxis or area shuttles.
- Secure your vehicle: Lock car doors and avoid leaving valuables inside when parking.
Source: PBIA website
Rail systems ready
- Brightline, the higher-speed regional rail line between downtown Miami and Orlando International Airport, has been offering various specials at year’s end. For details, go to https://www.gobrightline.com/offers/bright-holidays.
- Tri-Rail, the three-county commuter line operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, is adding trains to its New Year’s Day schedule to accommodate revelers who spend New Year’s Eve in Miami A northbound train will depart the MiamiCentral Station at 1 a.m., and a second at 2 a.m., stopping at each northbound station “until all passengers have vacated the trains,” the company said in a statement. “We are excited to offer these special trains for passengers to celebrate safely and conveniently without the worry of driving,” said David Dech, SFRTA executive director. “You can enjoy a cocktail at the New Year’s celebrations and leave the driving to us.”
- Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, says it is busier during the holidays and may add trains to its interstate route network. Last month, it added the Floridian to its schedule, which offers direct round-trips between Miami and Chicago.