Midlands Residents Plan to Travel Despite Travel Alert

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Ahead of the busiest travel day of the year Wednesday, the United States issued a “worldwide travel alert.” Travelers at Columbia Metropolitan airport said while they are glad the alert is in place, it is not stopping them from heading home for Thanksgiving to visit their loved ones. Early Tuesday morning, passengers crowded the ticket counters at Columbia Metropolitan Airport amidst a worldwide travel alert urging citizens to be extra ‘cautious.’ “I‘m glad they‘re doing it, I‘m sorry they‘re doing it but at the same time I‘m going to catch a plane,” said resident Dee Kingshepard before boarding her plane to Kansas. The US State Department issued the alert after a string of terror attacks across the world. According to the alert, authorities believe groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram may have plans to carry out further attacks. Officials are asking Americans to be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings. “I think they have to be really precautious and I think it‘s the smart move to do,” said USC student Grant Smith on his way home for break. For security reasons, TSA officials are not releasing the exact security measures being put in place since the alert. Spokesperson Mark Howell said they are taking all the steps necessary to ensure safe and secure travel. In addition, Howell reminds travelers to arrive 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. “That‘ll give you enough time to get parked, get into the airport, go through ticketing and the security checkpoint and onto your gate before your flight.” Officials are also asking travelers to look at the security guidelines and list of prohibited items before going through security.