Thanksgiving 2011 Travel Expected Rise Despite Increased Airfares

By STAFF Writer
November 21, 2011

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL NEWS - The biggest travel period of the year is under way - the Thanksgiving holiday. Ninety percent of holiday travelers will travel on the day, reports AAA. About 38.2 million people will travel on Wednesday, increase of 4% over 2010 Thanksgiving.

In Illinois alone around 2.23 million people will be traveling on the day, an increase of 3.8% from last year's Thanksgiving season. According to AAA, some two million people will travel by car, even after an increase in gas prices.

AAA projects 1.8% rise in air travelers compared to last year's Thanksgiving period. The projection is made only for leisure travelers.

This year the airfares are up by 10 to 20% nationally compared to 2010. Visitors to Chicago are seen snagging at deals if they booked early.

According to website Orbitz.com, Chicago is the only destination in top 10 list this year in the US that doesn't cost more to fly.

Most of the trips will begin, connect or end through O'Hare International Airport, which is among the 5 worst weather airports. Flight cancellations and delays may take place at this airport due to snow, ice, wind, fog and thunderstorms.

Last year's data reveals 75% of arrivals and 79% of departures were on time here.

AAA also projects of 2% people traveling on buses and trains on 5-day Thanksgiving weekend.

All locomotive and rail cars are made available to and from the Chicago area by Amtrak during the season.

Amtrak to Winter Park

Busy airport during Thanksgiving period

Amtrak train

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November 21, 2011 | 0 comments

Hollywood Reaction To US Stock Market Debacle

By STAFF Writer
August 09, 2011

WORLD/ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The entertainment industry is not oblivious but feels the punch of Monday's crash of stock and downgrading of the country's credit rating. Hollywood is now buzzing with different malarkey and preparing to take Washington to task for the nation's recent financial plunge.

After the downgrading of credit ratings of US Standard & Poor from AAA status to AA, serious concern is brewing in many industries. Light-hearted jokes among Twitter users are also frequent.

STORY: Analysts Debate Entertainment Stocks, Debt Issues as US Market Drops Again

Modern Family writer Danny Zuker advised light-heatedly that Henry WInkler should take a cue from his 'Happy Days' character and hit Washington.

“I feel like you need to go down to Wall Street, put on the old leather jacket, punch the stock market and fix it!” he suggested get it fixed via Twitter.

In response Winkler replied it as a tempted but jokingly said that the jacket was in Washington.

Rapper Chamilionaire noted on Friday, “Yesterday @BeatBullies noticed how fast the stock market was falling & today we learn that the US lost its AAA credit rating. Crazy times.”


However, some stars have different opinion like the Office star Rainn WIlson who cracked a joke typical of him saying, "If you sold your stocks today you’re a p**sy. F**k S & P. America is AAAA in my economic book."


Ashton Kutcher has further taken one step more and made aware the debt crisis among teens while accepting a Teen Choice Award Sunday.

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August 09, 2011 | 0 comments