Turkey day travel tips

Houston airports predict big boost in Thanksgiving travel and share planning tips

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston

Bush Intercontinental may see 1.7 million travelers.

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

In yet another reminder that society — and Houston — is indeed back, Houston Airports reports a big anticipated boost in holiday travelers this year.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport are expected to see some 2.3 million travelers this season. That's 3 percent increase from the same period in 2019 and 9 percent increase from 2021, per the system.

By the numbers, Bush Airport will see the bulk of travelers with more than 1.7 million anticipated passengers, with approximately 560,000 travelers going through Hobby.

As a refreshers, the Thanksgiving travel season began on Thursday, November 17 and ends Tuesday, November 29. The top three busiest days for air travel in Houston will be Sunday, November 27 followed by Sunday, November 20 and Wednesday, November 23, per Houston Airports.

Thankfully, CenterPoint Energy has completed the major utility roadway work on North Terminal Road that began in October. However, ongoing construction will no doubt impact travelers during peak travel times.

Houston Airports offers these reminders for those traveling through or picking up at Bush:

Build in an extra hour to airport arrival time for parking, airline check-in, TSA security screening, traveling to gate.
Anticipate high parking volumes at terminal garages and full lots.
Utilize the subway and Skyway tram systems, which connect all 5 terminals at Bush Airport.
American Airlines and Spirit Airlines passengers should be picked up at Terminal A on South Terminal Road. All other passengers landing at Terminal A can be picked up along North Terminal Road. Signs indicate the proper pickup locations.

Additionally, those traveling or heading to Bush or Hobby Airport for pickup should remember these Houston Airport trips:

Reserve airport parking online to save money and guarantee a parking spot in a garage or ecopark lot.
Wait in a free cellphone lot for passenger to help with flow.
Monitor TSA wait times in real-time at Hobby Airport and Bush Airport.
Prepare for a TSA screening by following the 3-1-1 rule and reviewing a list of prohibited items.

Travelers can also get airport updates by following the Houston Airports Twitter accounts @IAH and @HobbyAirport or on Facebook.

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana