With the holiday season on the horizon, air travel could spike to almost pre-pandemic levels, causing long lines and wait times at several airports across the Bay Area, according to the TSA.
Listen to the latest episode of "Bay Current" below.
KCBS Radio’s "Bay Current" producer Matt Pitman took a trip from San Francisco International Airport to Boise Airport last week. To his surprise, the usual one-hour flight to Idaho was delayed by over two hours each way.
Pitman reached out to Alaska Airlines for comment on flight delays and an Alaska Airlines representative responded stating that delays were caused by mechanical issues.
Taylor, a traveler from Concord, also experienced delays on her way home from Idaho. "I’ve seen delays. If it’s not for the weather, it’s for plane maintenance. It causes a huge inconvenience because I am expected to be at home," Taylor said. "I’ve got animals and different things I need to attend to."
Henry Harteveldt, the president and travel industry analyst with the Atmosphere Research Group in San Francisco, said the significant delays are due to a shortage of airport employees.
"They may not have enough pilots or flight attendants available," Harteveldt told KCBS Radio’s "Bay Current" on Thursday. "They are struggling when something happens to cause the schedule to go off track, to get everything back on track."
He said that travel delays are far worse compared to the last few years.
"It’s very rough seas for us as travelers," he added. "It’s unfortunate because it makes air travel, which has been stressful since 9/11, that much more stressful."
Harteveldt said that travelers should expect their Thanksgiving flights to look as crowded as they did in pre-pandemic years.
"If you haven’t flown since COVID was in force, you may be surprised at how many people you see at the airports," he noted. "Be prepared for crowds."
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