Contrary to popular belief, Wednesday is not the busiest travel day of the year in the United States.
But if you tell that to the millions of people standing in lines at airports and train stations or sitting in traffic around the country, they might deck you.
Travelers on the day before Thanksgiving got started early; some may have thought leaving for the airport in the wee hours of the morning would help them avoid crowds, but they weren't alne.
Lines at airports in Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California, started before 5 a.m.
The TSA line at 4:50am, in Portland! What the what!pic.twitter.com/iZ4H2jLbZm— I͟͟'M͟͟ R͟͟I͟͟C͟͟H͟͟ (@RG2_Chicago) November 25, 2015
Airport duty on Thanksgiving weekend! pic.twitter.com/Y5BZ1bdNOv— Jared Aarons (@10NewsAarons) November 25, 2015
And lines elsewhere, from Lexington, Kentucky, to Boston, Massachusetts, weren't much better:
Long lines & tight security greeting travelers at Blue Grass airport. There are safety concerns after Paris attacks. pic.twitter.com/LkbFAx2BPy— Mark Barber (@MarkBarberWKYT) November 25, 2015
Flying today? Arrive at the airport early! Long lines for security already here at @BostonLogan #Boston #wcvb pic.twitter.com/mp0f8wnM4S— Todd Kazakiewich (@ToddKazakiewich) November 25, 2015
ON TIME: Looks like a smooth commute for fliers in and out of Metro Airport. @TSA lines moving. #ThanksgivingTravel pic.twitter.com/6ITWrVRCv4— Roop Raj (@rooprajfox2) November 25, 2015
It's a busy travel day so please get here early pic.twitter.com/TJ0zOOc1jA— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) November 25, 2015
Security concerns have not prevented long lines at C Terminal of Lambert St. Louis Int.l Airport. pic.twitter.com/7xqAHzsTXn— Brett A. Blume (@brettblumekmox) November 25, 2015
Here's something you don't see every day: @Reagan_Airport bike cop. pic.twitter.com/THHAIluM9C— Doug Luzader (@DougLuzader) November 25, 2015
The good news, as of 10 a.m. ET, is that there were very few delays or cancelations, according to FlightAware. Here's hoping that holds for the rest of the day.
The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday, due to increased concern about terror threats in the wake of the Paris attacks. The alert is one to increase caution, however -- hopefully not one to increase fear.
BONUS: Turkey tacos: A midnight snack for after Thanksgiving