Leaving on a jet plane

During holiday season, students across the country take to the roads, the skies and tracks to celebrate with their loved ones. With gas prices as high as $2.79 a gallon and rising, students may find more economical sources of transportation with seats available on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses.
Those leaving Tyler have access to local transports such as Tyler Pounds Airport, the Amtrak station in Mineola and the Greyhound station located off South Broadway.

"Last year, we had 4,952 boardings and (stops) in Mineola alone," Marc Magliari, Amtrak's Chicago spokesmen said.
Magliari said that business at Amtrak's Mineola train, the Texas Eagle, grew during Thanksgiving.
Travel seems to hit its highest point in all forms of transportation during the holidays due to students going to hometowns and other states to see relatives.
"The biggest holiday (for us) is probably Christmas," Jim Costiloe, Pounds Field associate, said. " A lot of students are going back home during Christmas."

Pounds field, located on the outskirts of northwest Tyler, offers passengers four daily arrivals and departures, Costiloe said. All of the flights connect at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with the most visited destinations being New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Despite the offer of a local airline, students use DFW, a larger, well-known airport.

"I'm going to Illinois for Thanksgiving," Dashena Mclendon, junior marketing major, said. "It's where my family is from, and I'm flying out of DFW."
While travelers raise their frequent flyer miles, the number of passengers who ride buses also increases during the holidays, Tim Stokes, Greyhound media relation's manager, said.
"The holiday season (is) the busiest of the year with New York City, New York being the most popular destination," Stokes said.

Transportation agencies such as Greyhound and Amtrak often offer students discounts on tickets,Stokes said. If students purchase a $20.00 Students Advantages Discount Card, they can save up to 20 percent for trips.
Though many forms of travel are offered at low rates, the airlines were mentioned the most by students.
"I went to Arizona once during the holidays before," Jared Lumis, sophomore business management major, said. "I'm fine with planes so it's a lot easier for me and it takes less time."

While many people fear flying, such as Stephanie Morgan, freshman kinesiology major, students said it is the preferred method of travel.
"I'm scared of airplanes, but I've flown to Alaska three times, so I just had to get used to it," Morgan said.
Whether students travel across the state or across the country, travel officials are adamant about early booking to avoid confusion. Students interested in travel can use sites specifically made for them such as Statravel.com to help with scheduling, costs and other conflicts.

"The main thing we ask from passengers is to show up on time for their flight," Costiloe said.
Magliari said the main cause for confusion during the holidays is travelers who are unfamiliar with the process at Amtrak. He said those new to using the train should be prepared for long connections, possible schedule changes and other common occurrences that happen when traveling.
"Always at Thanksgiving, there are people who are unfamiliar, who only ride (the train) perhaps once a year or have never ridden before, and people should be patient to give the newbies some extra time," Magliari said.