A six-car crash on the NJ Turnpike has claimed at least two lives. According to WABC 7, "The accident happened in the southbound eastern spur near mile marker 116 just before 7:00 a.m. Authorities said the two people, possibly ejected, were found crushed under the vehicles." The AAA says that 90% of year-end holiday travel is by car, "The organization expects more than 85 million people to take driving trips of 50 miles or more - an increase over the 83 million holiday travelers who drove last year." more ›

Concerned about the TSA's new porno-scanners and enhanced labia-fondling pat-downs? Mayor Bloomberg says shut up and spread 'em. Hizzoner claims he even got a pat-down himself—before boarding a private flight in D.C. He described the experience as a reminder "that we live in a dangerous world" and told reporters yesterday, "We have to stop all this shilly-shallying and understand if you want to be safe on airplanes we have to make sure that we keep you safe. If you have a better idea, call Janet Napolitano. I'm 100% in sympathy. She wants to make sure we're safe." As do the TSA screeners, who would like you to know that they're not getting off on seeing you naked or touching your junk. more ›

Bad news if you're flying Spirit Airlines today; the company's reservation system has crashed, and we're seeing reports of long lines at LaGuardia this morning. The airline is currently conducting manual check-ins with Spirit staff hand-writing boarding passes. In a statement issued to CNN, a Spirit spokesperson described the computer failure as "routine maintenance." (We'll leave it to you to insert your own incredulous scoffing sound.) The statement further elaborates: "Our system is currently down, but we expect it to be up again shortly. In the meantime, we are checking in customers manually. Although this does take a bit more time, we do have additional staffing at our airports today and we are getting customers to their flights on time." more ›

There haven't yet been any reports of police dispatched to JFK for crowd control today, so perhaps things are back to their normal level of infuriation. The Sunday snowstorm really created a nightmare for holiday travelers, some of whom are still stuck at the airport! Melissa Ferber, a 29-year-old schoolteacher from Buffalo, has been at JFK since Saturday, when her connecting flight to Fort Myers, Florida was canceled. She's been sleeping on the airport floor ever since, and the stalemate seems to have driven her so completely mad that she's just finally given up and accepted her lot in life. more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] There's probably some sort of holiday travel nightmare situation unfolding everywhere today, but we're hearing that the Delta terminal at JFK airport is particularly hellish. A report over the newswire bleats: "LARGE UNRULY CROWD DELTA TERMINAL WEST GATE #12. PAPD UNITS ON SCENE REQUESTING ADD'L UNITS." Who'll be tased for Christmas? Twitter user Joel Clare says, "Whoa, JFK is a NUT HOUSE! If you are flying Delta out of JFK today expect 1.5+hours for the security line." more ›

For those of you driving today, be patient: 1010WINS reports that with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend winding down, "Cars will pile up on the highways across the nation and create traffic jams. With both the Jets and the Eagles playing at home on Sunday, drivers can expect even more traffic along the New Jersey turnpike." As for air travel, it'll be clear but breezy and "winds may pick up later in the day." more ›

The day before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for travel, with roads and airports clogged with those heading for turkey, family, friends and relaxation. However, the economy has made some people rethink their travel plans. According to WCBS 2, "Thanksgiving travel plummeted a staggering 25 percent between 2007 and 2008, and many of those habits seem to be sticking this year. The number of people traveling is likely to stay about the same, inching up only by about 1.4 percent, according to an AAA prediction." more ›

Today is considered the busiest travel day of the year, as people are flocking home and away for the Thanksgiving holiday. The AAA says that the number of travelers going at least 50 miles from home will be about 41 million, a 1.4% decline from last year and the "first decline in travelers since 2002." AAA spokeswoman Christie Hydge explained, "I think with the economy going downward, people are holding off on traveling." Still, NYC is preparing for the crush: The Port Authority is expecting 1.35 million passengers at the three airports this year, the MTA has its extra eastbound LIRR trains today, and the city's Department of Transportation has named this a holiday gridlock alert day and urges people to take public transit. In the immortal words of Frank Costanza, "Serenity now!" more ›

While it may be beautiful now, yesterday's weather was awful enough to cause some holiday travel headaches for those flying out of area airports. Winds were gusting up to 47 MPH, and travelers arriving at LaGuardia had two hour delays, which wasn't bad considering arrivals at Kennedy and Newark had delays of four to four-and-a-half hours. more ›

The Thanksgiving Day and Thanksgiving Day Eve have emerged as some of the busiest travel days of the year. While the media shows shots of crowded airports and train stations on the Wednesdays before Thanksgiving (like today), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that when personal vehicle travel is included into calculations, "Thanksgiving Day is actually a heavier long-distance travel day [to and from a destination more than 50 or more miles away] than... more ›

Yesterday afternoon, downed wires in a train tunnel caused hours of delays for trains in the Northeast Corridor yesterday. The downed wires stopped a passenger train from entering the tunnels, and then the domino effect: Amtrak trains from Boston were backed up on their way to NYC, while trains from Philadelphia to NYC only made it to Newark. The outage occurred around 8:30AM and service was restored around 2:30PM, after affecting at least 50,000 riders... more ›

Realizing that air traffic congestion is terrible and will be even worse next week during Thanksgiving holiday, President Bush announced that the FAA is working on new ideas, plus military airspace will be opened up for five days to civilian planes. If using military airspace (the "Thanksgiving Express Lane") works well this time around, it may reopened for the Christmas holidays. The other measures the President announced were: FAA will focus on preventing delays... more ›

In case you hadn't heard, there was a giant snowstorm in Colorado earlier this week. We've been enjoying the storm from a safe distance via this Flickr photo set. Gothamist mentions the storm because a warmer version of it is arriving here soon. There's no chance of snow, but the rain and fog are likely to interfere with holiday travel. more ›

Not much new to report right now, except that most people who tried hard to get to work (woke up early, stood in the cold while waiting for a cab) have probably streamed into the office by now. The MTA and Transport Workers Union are in court this morning; Newsday reports, "They were set to decide when the union should face criminal contempt proceedings for violating the state's Taylor Law, which makes the strike illegal." Hmm. What are the odds of this strike going on for another day? Gothamist can't imagine the strike extending into the weekend, what with holiday travel, but with a governor like Pataki, who needs governors? more ›

That was a nice little cold spell, don't you think? Gothamist enjoyed having an amuse-bouche before winter's entrée is served. We'll get a brief respite today and tomorrow, when it should be sunny and slightly warmer than normal before cooling off for the weekend. more ›

As we gear up for the holiday travel rush, or are already waiting out an airport delay, take notice that it will not be a pretty ride. Sorry to say that thee is a warm front saying hello from below that is bringing us a bit of rain. But when things get really interesting is when the "associated" cold front begins to move through early tomorrow. more ›

This weekend looks to be a rather boring for the New York region. The Mets and Yankees are both out of town playing teams in Florida. There is no hockey, no baketball, no nothing. George Vecsey pointed this travesty out yesterday and Gothamist couldn't agree more. When was the last time there were no local sports this weekend? What happened to seeing scores of Navy men and women in the stands of Shea or Yankee Stadium? Fleet week just doesn't seem right without that picture. more ›