An estimated 81.8 million Americans are traveling for Thanksgiving this year, making it the busiest travel season on record. According to projections from AAA, 6.1 million people are expected to fly, more than 73 million will travel by car, and another 2.5 million will use trains, buses, and cruise ships.

The record-breaking push comes at a precarious time for the nation's travel infrastructure, which is grappling with aging systems and staffing challenges. The Federal Aviation Administration is at the center of the effort to manage the surge.

"For us, this week is our Super Bowl, and I'm here to tell you we've got a great plan," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

The system is still feeling the effects of a 44-day government shutdown that forced TSA agents and FAA technicians to wor

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