LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Amanda Weeks and her family arrived early Tuesday at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to catch a flight to Florida for Thanksgiving, sure they wouldn't have to recreate the McCallisters' mad dash in "Home Alone."

"We don't want to have a 'Home Alone' moment or lose one of the kids at the wrong gate," Weeks said. "But we are good packers."

Earlier in the morning, the TSA line snaked its way through the airport, though they moved pretty quickly.

"Pleasantly surprised," Weeks said of their experience. "Security looks quick. We parked really easily. Now, we just have to get through the flight with the kids."

The airport also celebrating the completion of its newly redone $10 million baggage claim project, one that had been a headache for many travelers for months.

"We've expanded our checkpoint from five to seven screening lanes to help with that passenger flow and we expect to start within the year on expansion of our TSA security checkpoint," said Natalie Chadoin, an airport spokeswoman. "... We know it was a pain point for people. We understand there was some frustration involved, and there's really no easy time to do construction when you're at the rate the SDF has been growing."

The roads will be busy as well. AAA projects 55.4 million Americans will drive or fly somewhere to celebrate the holiday, while another 49 million people will drive.

"If you're planning on traveling, you need to pack your patience, because it's going to be very busy," AAA spokeswoman Lynda Lambert said last week.

Lambert said between 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday will be busiest times to travel.

"Leave as early as possible or stay and leave later in the day," she said Tuesday.

These 2023 Thanksgiving travel expectations are 2.3% higher than last year, Lambert said, the third-highest year since AAA began tracking it in 2000. Only 2005 and 2019 were higher.

Some good news while potentially sitting in traffic could be the price at the pump. Lambert said gas prices are trending down. Currently, Kentucky's average price per gallon is less than $3.

Arriving early at the airport is also a smart plan. Last year, holiday travel was plagued by a shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed 1,500 controllers have been hired since then, and Louisville airport officials said their TSA checkpoints are fully staffed.

"We drove last year because the flights were a little questionable," Weeks said. "So, this year, we are very excited to fly and be there in 90 minutes."

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