With Memorial Day now in the rearview mirror and the school year having come to an end… summer travel is set to sail in the Mitten State. A new AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey shows nearly two in five Michiganders will vacation more than last summer and spend more money in the process.
WGVU has a travel update plus a local travel expert says, if you’re traveling by plane, there are some things you need to know.
It’s mid-June and Travel season is in full swing. A new AAA Consumer Pulse survey revealed that two-thirds or 68% of Michiganders are planning at least one vacation - of 3 days or more – this summer through Labor Day. It notes the most popular vacations as beach/lake getaways (72%) followed by theme parks (40%) and ocean cruises (14%).
If you are planning to fly somewhere, one local travel expert says some airports, like Detroit Metro are experimenting with enhanced security as it relates to your carry-on baggage. Here’s Jo Ann Verboom with Gagnon Travel.
“TSA has targeted ten airports throughout the US. Our local airport is not one of them. The process of going through the airport, you’ll be asked to remove more items from your carry on… so just be prepared, as it may take longer.”
Verboom has long been an advocate for travelers getting in the program for TSA Pre check. She says it can save you a lot of time, especially if you travel a lot. And she says, it’s gotten even easier for folks in West Michigan.
“If you haven’t joined the TSA pre check program yet, there’s good news for West Michigan travelers because we now have two locations where you can apply for that program. The second location has recently opened near Centerpointe Mall, you need an appointment.. but it now gives another opportunity to enroll in TSA pre-check.”
The first TSA location is still located in Walker on 3 mile road. Meantime, experts with AAA say “So far this year, AAA has also seen tremendous growth in travel bookings, compared to last year. This survey suggests that momentum will continue, creating the busiest summer travel season in more than a decade.”
