Community Corner

Leaving Town For Thanksgiving? Here's What You Need to Know

We've got the scoop on weather, fuel prices, air travel, safety on the home front and the answer to an age-old question: Can I bring my turkey on the plane?

It's almost Thanksgiving, and for many, that means packing up the family and celebrating with relatives across the state or country or around the globe. According to AAA, 42.5 million Americans are expected to hit the road this Thanksgiving, the highest number since the start of the recession in 2007.

Before you head out of Ferndale, here's what you need to know:

Sunny skies for Ferndale

The National Weather Service predicts partly sunny or sunny skies, with high temperatures in the 50s, Wednesday through Friday in Ferndale.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Around Michigan, the weather stays mostly clear all weekend long with a chance of showers. In Grand Rapids, temperatures will hover around 45 degrees with a chance of showers Saturday. In Traverse City, it's much of the same, with a 60 percent chance of rain Saturday.

Heading out of Michigan? According to weather.com, the East Coast and Pacific Northwest are presenting the biggest potential travel headaches on Nov. 23. There's a threat of rain and mountain snow for much of Oregon, Washington State and northern California, with rain possibly spreading as far south as the Bay area.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, along the East Coast and throughout much of the South, there's a chance of rain all day, with snow possible for parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. In the South, there's also the possibility of thunderstorms.

On Thanksgiving, the threat of snow and rain grows larger in the Pacific Northwest, expanding to parts of Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Utah. However, the rain on the east coast dissipates on Thanksgiving, concentrating instead along the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Fuel prices down (plus, watch out for speed traps)

If you're like the 90 percent of American who are driving this holiday, you may get a little break at the pump this year. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas across the state is $3.28, down from $3.43 a week ago. The average price in Metro Detroit Tuesday is $3.26 a gallon.

If you're driving out of town, you might want to watch out for Thanksgiving speed traps. According to the National Motorists Association, Livonia holds the record for the most speed traps, coming in at 27.9 total traps in 2010, ahead of Orlando, Las Vegas, Denver and Reno.

For more traffic information from around Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/mdot/.

Heading to the airport?

According to AAA, one in seven Americans typically travels more than 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Not surprisingly, Wednesday is the peak travel day.

ABC News asked Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor at Travelocity, for tips on Thanksgiving air travel. According to Brown, here are the biggest FAQs:

  • Can I bring my turkey on the plane? "The short answer here is yes, though you might get some strange looks at security."
  • How long do I really need to get through security: According to Brown, you probably need an hour for domestic flights. Speed things up by bringing only carry-on luggage. Detroit Metropolitan airport, meanwhile, recommends you arrive two hours before your flight leaves.
  • How do I make sure I'm not bumped from my flight: According to Brown, reserve your seat online when you book your flight, then check in online 24 hours before your flight. To check in at DTW, visit www.metroairport.com/airlines. When flights are oversold, often those who check in last are bumped.
  • How much will it cost to check my bags: Most airlines charge $25 for the first checked bag and then $35 a bag after that for domestic flights, Brown said. 
  • What should I keep with me in case we're stranded on the tarmac: Keep a fully charged cell phone, all medications, water and a snack with you at all times, in addition to anything you need for small children if you have them. 

In addition, DTW recommends filling out all luggage tags beforehand and calling the airport's 24-hour parking hot line, 800-642-1978, to check up on up-to-the-minute parking information at the airport. To check weather and traffic at the airport, visit http://www.metroairport.com/traffic/.

Stay safe at home, even if you're away

Before you leave town, make sure you've taken steps to protect your property.

Public safety officials encourage residents to:

  • Lock all car and house doors, as well as windows.
  • Close the garage door when you're not around.
  • Put your outside lights on a timer.

Residents or business owners who stay in town and notice something unusual in their neighborhood can call the Ferndale Police Department at 248-541-3650.


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