Airline travel takes off despite recommendations to stay at home

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Some people dropped their loved ones off and kissed them goodbye at the Santa Barbara Airport on Monday.

Airline passengers will join millions of people flying for business and pleasure this Thanksgiving week.

Grady Marold said he tested negative for COVID19 before taking a flight with his puppy to Portland to see family, while taking precautions.

The Robins came to airport to pick up their son for a Thankgiving visit.

Heidi Robins said she wasn't going to hug him, but when he walked out of the terminal with outstretched arms she couldn't resist.

Robins said she hopes to look back on this holiday without regrets.

The Associated Press is reporting that a million Americans a day packed planes over the weekend and more are expected to fly before the holiday.

About 3 million people went through security checkpoints between Friday and Sunday.

Regular travelers said airports haven't been this busy since March.

Airports and airlines have implemented safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus

Santa Barbara parking lots appear to be filling up, but the lobby is not as busy as it has been in previous pre-pandemic years before Thanksgiving.

An airport security official said it is about 10 percent busier than they expected.

A stream of passengers came out of the terminal after dark.