PORTLAND, Ore. — There are only a few days left before the Fourth of July and PDX airport is bustling with people trying to reach their destinations.
With hundreds of thousands of Oregonians expected to travel 50 miles or more.
"Five hours of flying is definitely rough," said Kellen Perrine, a traveler KGW spoke to arriving from Indianapolis at PDX Airport. "Especially with screaming kids behind you."
Dr. Herman Glass came to Portland for a speaking engagement, and is now heading back to his hometown of Detroit.
He said he knew it would be busy — but not this busy.
"Travel has been a little hectic," Glass explained. "But we all have to deal with the travel industry as it changes, and sometimes they just pack these planes full."
AAA is expecting record-setting travel for the Independence Day holiday. Projecting 71 million Americans and over 800,000 Oregonians to make long-distance trips.
"I think sometimes, it’s more about profit than passenger comfort," Glass expressed.
Other travelers KGW spoke to are making long trips with small children. All while trying to maintain a positive attitude about the busy travel season — like Jesse and Tanja Keraenen, who are traveling back home to Finland.
"Good positive energy," Tanja emphasized. "No big issues so far, and we are just going to roll with the punches if there are any hiccups along the way."
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Brian and Marion Jackson are moving all the way to southern France after living in Portland for five years.
"We feel the need to be closer to my family," Marion shared. "My parents are getting older, so we decided to move."
Transportation Security Administration said it's ready for the peak in flights, and currently staffed to meet wait-time standards, including getting people through pre-check in 10 minutes and standard screening lanes in 30 minutes or less.