Long lines at airports during busy Memorial Day weekend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Memorial Day weekend kicks off Friday and so does the travel rush.

Millions of Americans are hitting the road and taking to the skies.

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Memorial Day travel is estimated to be up 10% from last year. Check-in lines are longer than they've ever been and people all over the country have been venting.

Some of the top destinations this weekend include New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and Washington D.C. So, we want to help you get around those long lines long before you come to the airport.

With TSA PreChek, you get to keep your shoes on, you don't have to take your laptop out of your bag, so it's a lot easier. But there are issues. First off, it'll cost you $85 to sign up. TSA will have your fingerprint on files and you have to go through a background check with the FBI.

On top of this, before you're approved, you have to get an appointment weeks in advance. 

But there's another option to beating the lines, there's a company called CLEAR. It's not available at all airports but, it's definitely worth looking into. For $179 a year, you skip the appointment, skip that complicated approval process. All you need to do is sign up at the airport and you're good to go.

But if you want to skip all that and take a road trip, that's a good option too but, you need to be ready to head out early.

A lot more people are driving than they are flying. 70% of travelers will be on the road versus the 34% flying.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.