whether you're using Planes Trains or automobiles to get around this week be prepared for big crowds the Port Authority expects almost 14 million people to use its airports or roads Ted Goldberg went out into the thick of it at Newark Airport to see how the travel day is shaping up we're going to Miami Merry Christmas millions of new jerseyans are traveling for Christmas and Hanukkah and they're bringing their fluffy friends with them Daisy say hi she's a woman a few words woman a few words I always come early when I'm traveling with her because you can't pre-check yeah so it takes a little more time but she's worth it Patty Smith and Gucci were Among The Travelers who preferred to fly south out of Newark rather than enjoy a white Christmas in the Garden State Fort Meers Florida the way it turned out this freeze that came the timing is great New Jersey to Arizona Tucson it's going to be enjoyable I get my bones it's like 80° there so it's good 9° this morning we're going to the 70s so I figured this is a good change of pace you're moving on up I'm moving on up other Travelers had no problem braving the CT the news reports was going on how it was going to be like 0 degrees in New York I'm like it's it's now closer to around 13 or 14 you're like working up a sweat like 14 yeah this this is thick jacket and we're very very excited to see their loved ones my siblings are dragging me down for the holidays to meet my newborn nieces nephews so you are leaving willingly to meet your new family members you're being dragged okay you're being dragged hopefully we'll get through quickly it looks busy for a you know it's a holiday travel day but um kids are in good spirits and the family's in good spirits so I think we'll have a good time the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is expecting a record crowd of holiday Travelers this year about 14 million people using their airports and roads in the tri-state area travel's been you know I think it's as accessible as it's ever been um in terms of just the options that folks have um we've seen the Resurgence coming out of Co I know CO's kind of in the rearview mirror now but uh the the demand really hasn't subsided from that Aiden odonnell is the general manager of New Jersey airports for the port authority he says they've gotten off to a smooth start but the Staffing shortage of air traffic controllers could lead to delays between now and the New Year there is still a possibility that we see uh ground delay programs and other traffic management initiatives that fa air traffic will Implement um as a result of Staffing shortages that they that they've seen the Staffing shortages frankly are are they're not new that being said he's optimistic that nework won't face major problems so far for the holiday season we haven't seen too much disruption um and even if there have been delays they've been relatively mild uh as a result of FAA Staffing so we're hopeful that we'll be able to continue to manage that successfully throughout the holiday season plenty of new jerseyans will also drive for the holidays triaa projects nearly 3 million of us will travel at least 50 miles in the next week and a half up about 3% from last year and most of that traffic will be on the roads car travel Remains the most popular mode to get to your destination it's the easiest and frankly cheapest way to move an entire family so that's why we see 90% of those traveling going by car that's up 2.1% from last year and equates to 2.5 million New Jersey residents Tracy Noble is a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic she says today's a great day to test your car's battery and anything else that might be worth checking make sure you give your car a good once over check your battery if you have not done so because these temperatures can be brutal especially with all the electric drain that we're now putting on our cards the Port Authority reminds travelers to get to airports two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights and pre-booking parking is the best way to guarantee a spot at Newark Airport I'm Ted Goldberg NJ Spotlight news