Train Travelers May Need Helping Of Patience For Busiest Travel Days Of Year
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you're driving, or flying, or riding the rails Wednesday morning, you've probably noticed that this is one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Standing room only at Amtrak's 30th Street Station, that's what one holiday traveler anticipates on her train.
"Probably. It's the day before Thanksgiving, so I'm definitely expecting it to be."
Another rider is beginning her travel with a positive attitude.
"I expect it to be on time and civilized."
Some of the early risers beat the crowds by choice, like Ernest Johnson, who was traveling with his siblings to spend the holiday with family in Virginia.
"We figured we'd get down there, check into our hotels and go from there."
But Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz warns that most trains are sold out.
"If you don't have a ticket yet, you may be out of luck."
He says a quarter-million people will ride the Northeast Corridor this holiday weekend.
Fiona Boomer admitted to being a procrastinator.
"I kind of booked last minute and that was the cheapest one," she said.
Amtrak is taking several steps this holiday week to keep up with demand.
"To accommodate all those people, we're adding trains, especially here on the Northeast corridor," said Schulz.
"We're adding seats. We're adding coaches where we can, and it's all hands on deck."
Amtrak recently started allowing pets on board. So Kayla is heading home to New Haven with her six-month-old cat, Simon.
Amtrak Passengers Can Now Bring Pets Aboard On Certain Trains
"This is my first time with him. Normally he's really good with the car and everything, but this is his first time on a train. I don't think he's too happy about that."
She expects Simon will behave himself.
"Normally he's really quiet, really easy going with a carrier. What he tries to do, though, is to reach out for anyone around. He really likes people."
Simon will have plenty of people to keep him entertained, because Amtrak says this is its busiest week of the year.
CBS 3's Trang Do contributed to this report.
