USA Today's Ten Tips for Thanksgiving Travelers

   If you’re traveling today, there’s a lot of work that goes into a successful flight. Today is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and highways, airports, and planes will be more crowded than usual. In order to escape the chaos, take extra time to double check your information and ensure that you have a smooth travel experience.

USA Today has put together a list of ten things you can do to avoid the “holiday hassle.” They might seem simple, but they could make a big difference when it comes to missing your flight or stressing over a rebooked arrangement. Take them into consideration before you get going.

Before You Go:
Pack light, you might save up to $50 on luggage fees.
Print your boarding pass at home, unless you prefer standing in line.

United's New Devices to Help Reduce Airport Lines

In an effort to make airport transactions run more smoothly and efficiently, United Airlines will begin testing devices that are meant to help passengers get information faster and cut down on lines. Deemed “LineBusters” the tools are mostly geared toward relaying information about automatic booking.

How it works: If you are already passed the security area, and you learn that your flight has been canceled or delayed, your first response would be to approach the customer service desk. In this case, United’s agents, equipped with the new LineBusters, can assess your situation via the hand-held touch-screen apparatus.

FAA Computer Glitch Causes Widespread Flight Delays

Travelers on flights out of the East Coast today may experience significant flight delays, due to a glitch in the FAA’s computers, according to USA Today.

The delays stemmed from a problem processing flight plan information. They began in Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson, which is one of the busiest airports in the country, and have since affected flights in New York, making planes space themselves up to 20 miles apart.

Delta Extends Lease at Atlanta Airport

Delta Air Lines is extending its contract at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. According to the paper, the Atlanta City Council approved a seven-year extension of Delta's lease with the Atlanta airport.

The lease keeps Delta from leaving Atlanta as a hub location, and ensures additional Atlanta flights from Delta and its partners.

As part of the lease extension, Delta will contribute to a planned $1.3 billion international terminal renovation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer

TSA Plans In-depth Investigation at Jet Repair Shops

In an effort to increase security and protect the United States from any aviation-related terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration announced a proposal to investigate airplane repair shops across the country and abroad.

The heightened inspections will examine each shop’s protocol and safety measures, and work to protect planes and their repair shops from potential terrorist sabotage. According to USA Today, officials have been “warned for years” about the possibility of such terrorism occurring, and would like to begin the assessments as soon as the end of the year.

Miami International Airport Introduces New North Terminal

Airports all over the country are revamping, whether it be security, aesthetics or technology. Aside from LAX’s enormous renovation, other airports are on the verge of makeovers as well.  Lambert-St. Louis opened a quicker security clearance recently, and both Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Denver international improved their recycling programs.

Miami is no exception, and is expected to introduce a major overhaul this summer.

Miami’s International North Terminal will soon consolidate three separate terminals – A, C and D. Right now, it has 23 gates, and will add 27 more in the summer of 2010.

New Florida Airport Announces Name Change, Set to Open in 2010

Last month, Southwest was one of the first airlines to announce flights to the new airport in Florida, scheduled to open in 2010. The airport, then deemed the Northwest Florida –Panama City International Airport, is the first airport to open since September 11, 2001.

It’s making news this week, because as of Wednesday morning, it has yet another new name (it has had several since its inception), and is now called the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Although its location makes it easy for spring-breakers to access attractions in that area of the state, officials wanted to change the name in to attract tourists of other age groups as well.

It is set to open in May of 2010 on a 4,000 acre plot in Bay County near Panama City.

© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney

Strict Requirements for the TSA's Secure Flight Program

Passengers who have made recent name changes  may be in for an exhausting process at the airport. While the Transportation Security Administration’s “Secure Flight” program might not be news to travelers, its stringency may be.

According to the New York Times, the program, although already implemented in some airlines, like American, may be getting tougher on small details.

Names on passports and driver’s licenses must be exactly the same, according to the program, and if they aren’t, travelers may or may not incur delays at airports. Reservations will need to made under the precise name on your ID, including all initials and punctuation, but a flaw in the system makes it difficult to oblige.

TSA Owes Richmond Airport $3.6 Million

The Richmond International Airport isn’t very happy with the Transportation Security Administration, and for good reason. The TSA is currently has an outstanding balance of $3.6 million that it has owed the airport for more than two years.

The history of the transaction goes back to the TSA’s policies for upgrades. When the Richmond International Airport decided to upgrade its safety conditions in baggage handling areas by implementing additional explosive detective systems, the TSA promised to pay 90 percent of the cost. Now, two years later, they have yet to “make good” on that promise.

Miami International Airport Pushes for Slot Machines

In recent years, waiting around the airport before your flight has become somewhat of a joy. Shops, restaurants, and even salons find ways to entertain even the pickiest of travelers, and you can even run errands, buy toiletries, or stock up on snacks for your flight.

Now, Miami International Airport would like to kick it up a notch, and include slot machines.

The airport, which acts – in addition to Atlanta – as a busy southeastern gateway for the United States, voted for a permit earlier this week to allow horse racing, although they never plan to race horses on site. The permit, however, enables a license to own and operate slot machines.