Ready, set, go

Deepa Bharath

Holiday travelers are probably going to party longer this year.

Many residents flying out of the area have left earlier this year

and won’t be coming back until after the holiday weekend, John Wayne

Airport spokesman Justin McCusker said.

“We anticipate a busy travel season,” he said. “Our carriers have

particularly noticed an expanded travel window. People are seemingly

leaving earlier and staying later.”

Last year, 112,000 travelers passed through the airport between

Wednesday and Sunday during Thanksgiving weekend. This year, that

number is likely to increase, McCusker said.

Early afternoon on Wednesday, passengers were still trickling in.

Jennifer Hoon of Long Beach, who was about to fly to Seattle for

her family gathering, said she was surprised that the terminals were

not as crowded as she expected.

“This is awesome,” she said. “This is why I always fly out of

Orange County. Because it’s not as crazy as it is in other airports.”

Rajeev Agnihotri, who was waiting to travel to London, said he

came to the airport earlier, anticipating long lines.

“But this is nice,” he said.

Rae Pirrello of Irvine was waiting to receive her twin sister,

brother-in-law and nephew, who were about to fly in from Chicago.

“It’s a gorgeous day to travel,” she said. “I usually go to

Chicago every Thanksgiving, but this time I made my family come to

California.”

This year, more travelers will also hit the freeways despite

higher than average gas prices, said Jeff Spring, spokesman for the

Auto Club of Southern California.

Out of 2.8 million Southern Californians expected to travel this

year, 2.3 million will drive, he said, 2.4% more drivers than last

year.

The average price per gallon of regular gasoline in Orange County

for Wednesday was $1.70, about 15 cents more compared to the same

time last year.

California Highway Patrol officers are also on “maximum

enforcement” mode for the holidays, Officer Stacy Willits said.

“That means we have more officers patrolling the freeways and also

special units assigned for DUI enforcement,” she said.

Willits said local freeways were jammed late Wednesday afternoon.

“There’s nothing much happening on the freeways because no one can

move,” she said. “Everything’s gridlocked.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.