The shutdown is over. Flights have resumed. Thanksgiving travelers might wonder: What now?

The turbulence caused by the longest ruling body shutdown on record may still be fresh on travelers minds this Thanksgiving but experts say preparing for the usual holiday crush of winter weather heavy traffic and crowded airports can help ease those jitters I think the shutdown at this point is history for air journey The airlines understand this time of year so well They know exactly what they need to do disclosed Sheldon H Jacobson an airport and airlines operations expert The real challenge is making sure travelers can help themselves Here s a guide to navigating the busiest movement week of the year How busy could it be Progress forecasts point to packed airports and roads A week after lifting the unprecedented flight restrictions it placed on commercial airlines during the shutdown the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving week in years with more than flights scheduled between Monday and next Tuesday That s more than million people who will be screened by the Transportation Guard Administration AAA projects million more travelers will be on the roads than last year pushing the total number of people traveling by car to at least million Winter weather You can t control the weather but you can control how prepared you are if a winter storm hits If your flight is canceled or delayed will you drive instead or postpone or cancel your trip Knowing your options ahead of time can reduce stress if a storm leaves you stranded James Belanger vice president of meteorology at the Weather Company recommends checking the forecast frequently while planning your trip The Weather Channel offers a Thanksgiving weekly forecast highlighting major airports and highways that could be affected by bad weather including snow ice and rain along with a free online tool that shows how the weather might impact your movement passage On Tuesday the FAA s busiest day with more than flights scheduled forecasters say rain could cause problems in the Pacific Northwest and for much of the eastern U S Airports in Atlanta Chicago New York Philadelphia Seattle and Washington D C could be impacted according to the Weather Channel What to pack and what to skip Jacobson whose research contributed to the design of TSA PreCheck recommends starting your packing by unpacking Check every pocket in matter TSA-restricted items like full-sized bottles were left behind from a previous trip This simple scan can help you get through defense faster especially when airports are crowded If you re traveling with gifts Jacobson suggests wrapping them at your destination because TSA agents may need to open them When deciding which clothes and shoes to pack Belanger says to check the feels like temperature for a better sense of the weather especially if you re not used to the cold And don t forget a REAL ID is required to fly within the U S or you ll need to bring another accepted form of ID like a passport or military ID People with iPhones can now also add their U S passport details to Apple Wallet which can be scanned at participating airports if travelers don t have a REAL ID More than a dozen states already accept selected form of a mobile ID at airport checkpoints and travelers can go to the TSA website for more details Road trip ready Whether driving is your top choice or backup plan AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz suggests checking your tires car battery and fluids then hitting the road with a full tank of gas as early as realizable to avoid traffic Last year AAA declared it responded to nearly crisis roadside assistance calls during the Thanksgiving progress period to help drivers stranded by dead batteries flat tires and empty tanks According to an analysis by Google Maps Traffic on Wednesday is expected to be heavier than usual between a m and p m with peak traffic from p m to p m On Thanksgiving Day the roads will be busiest between noon and p m When it s time to head home avoid driving from to p m on Saturday and Sunday when traffic is heaviest The best traveler is an informed client Jacobson likes to say Download your airline s app to track your flight status and check it regularly as your trip date approaches That way if your flight is canceled the day before you can speedily look for alternatives Driving or flying leave earlier than you think you need to Knowing you won t have to rush to your destination can help calm any nerves whether it s lingering anxiety from the shutdown or because you re traveling with young kids or someone who necessities extra help getting around These are particular very simple things to think about but they re essential things to think about Jacobson reported