Holiday travel causing stress in Chattanooga and beyond

CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. (WDEF)- Travelers have been on the move all Christmas Eve trying to reach their loved ones across the country.

However, this has come with its challenges.

One of the busiest times of the travel year came to a temporary halt on Christmas Eve morning for American Airlines.

The airlines say that the vendor they use scan boarding passes stopped working for a few minutes, causing delays nationwide.

Those delays were felt right here at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

American flies to Charlotte and Dallas, where delays were up to two hours for this afternoon’s flight to Texas.

One family, who was traveling to see family in Wisconsin, was caught up in the delays.

Weston Wickman said that his wife and him, “Got an email this morning showing that flights were changing and possibly being cancelled or flip flopped, and ours got delayed for a little bit but then flipped back.”

Even though travel problems can happen anytime of year, travelers say holiday travel is the most stressful.

“It was pretty stressful as far as figuring out when are we going to leave for the airport with the times flip flopping back and forth through our email,” said Wickman.

Meanwhile, AAA expects over 107 million people to hit the road across America.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says they are increasing patrols across the state during holiday travel.

They say troopers will be focused on those who are speeding, drowsy, or impaired on the roadways.

Col. Matthew Perry of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said, “Distracted driving is anything that you do in your vehicle that takes your eyes off of the road. It’s not just the cell phone in your hand, it could be reaching down and grabbing something to drink or eat, please keep your eyes focused on the roadway.”

He says getting to your destination alive is more important than getting there quickly.

Col. Perry said, “We don’t want a serious injury or fatal crash any time of the year, but especially at the holiday season, we’re going to put everything we have at it.”