MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Millions of Americans are taking off for the holidays, including thousands here in our area.
"Traffic is really returning to Memphis International," Marketing Director Glen Thomas said.
Employees expect passenger travel to reach pre-pandemic levels this week.
"During the Christmas travel period, we're expecting about 129,000 people to pass through the checkpoint. That's actually a slight increase over 2019 before the pandemic," Thomas said.
With AAA predicting 7.2 million Americans traveling by plane this holiday, retired FedEx Captain Albert Glenn can tell you safety is always at the forefront.
"When the captain tells you that he keeps his seatbelt on it's for a reason," Glenn said.
One reason being unexpected turbulence, which caused more than 40 passenger and crew injuries on flights to Hawaii and Houston in two days.
"It's very rare when it does happen, but when it does it's normally catching them by surprise," Glenn said.
Glenn says pilots have radar onboard and communication with air traffic control to detect turbulence around thunderstorms, but clear air turbulence is unpredictable.
"The one that you'll find that causes the most injuries, it's unexpected clear air turbulence, and that is one of those where it takes experience, it takes knowledge and it takes preparation," Glenn said.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021; 116 of which were crew members.
Turbulence injuries are a rare occurrence, but a reminder to stay strapped in.
"You should keep it on the full time. Pilots flying in the front keep their seatbelts on," Glenn said.
If you are flying for the holiday, Thomas suggests arriving at the airport two hours before your departure time, double check to make sure you don't have any prohibited items in your carry-on bag, and check for delays or cancellations with your airline directly.