U.S. holiday travel expected to be heavy

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Domestic U.S. travel this coming holiday weekend is expected to be the heaviest since before the terror attacks of September 2001, the Washington Post said.

By way of example, James Bennett, chief executive of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said Dulles will serve twice as many people over a 10-day stretch this month than it did in all of 1962, its first year.

Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black said ridership will likely hit record levels this week and reminded customers that through Monday, all trains in the Northeast corridor require reservations. He also said new regulations require riders over 18 to carry photo identification and limit carry-on bags to two per passenger.

For those traveling by car, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend said the only way to avoid certain jams is to leave "after midnight."

Traffic delays are expected in Pennsylvania, where turnpike officials warn the state's main east-west route will be clogged because they expect toll collectors and other workers to go on strike late Tuesday or Wednesday.