If you’re flying for Thanksgiving, you probably don’t want to read another scare story about how bad it will be. The CEO of JetBlue worries spooked passengers will show up to the airport four to six hours early and overcrowd airports. The CEO of Delta advises travelers wear slip on shoes. My strategy is to pray for good weather.

But seriously, the airlines say they have improved reservation and check-in services to move things along. That's what the CEOs of JetBlue and Delta told lawmakers today at a hearing looking into the issue of airport delays. The president plans to help the airlines out by opening up unused military airspace to create “Thanksgiving Express Lanes.” He also urged people to check www.fly.faa.gov for real time updates on whether flights at a particular airport are on time or delayed, and by how much.

With delays now a political issue, the heat is on the airlines to deliver a flawless performance. For all those flying this Thanksgiving, let’s hope they do.