Smooth Flying For Most Holiday Travelers Despite Security Hype

Jon Jordan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thousands of people started their holiday travels for Thanksgiving and many were worried about protests and the TSA's enhanced security pat-downs slowing down their trip.

According to travelers arriving and departing from Will Rogers World Airport, the concerns of protesters clogging up security checkpoints was all talk. Other than normal travel days, most people at Oklahoma City's airport said it was smooth sailing.

"It wasn't bad. It was very organized," said Lori Beck, who was traveling from Denver.

The friendly skies were friendly and the TSA checkpoints were a breeze.

"Just as long as you pass through the initial without the little buzzer going off, it's a clean sweep through," said traveler Eric Huber. "We were expecting it to be a lot worse, but it really was pretty simple."

"I thought there was going to be this whole brew ha-ha…I didn't experience that," said Alisha Brown, who flew into Oklahoma City from Chicago.

Many passengers said they didn't agree with the protests to begin with and said while the enhanced pat-down may be intrusive, it's worth it.

"I would rather have that then some tragic air thing…Works for me, I don't care," said Lisa Johnson, who was flying to California.

"Better safe than sorry," agreed Huber.

Karen Carney, a spokesperson for Will Rogers Airport, said the lines have been moving smoothly since the TSA increased their security measures and they should continue to move like that as long as passengers prepare themselves ahead of time.

"As much as you can have ready at the check point, the more you are going to get through quicker," said Carney.

And as long as you come prepared, there is a very good chance you won't have to go through the enhanced pat-down. In fact it's estimated less than three percent of passengers receive the pat-down.