Christmas Eve a busy travel day, but things go smoothly at Mitchell, drivers excited about low gas prices

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A very busy travel day on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th as folks hit the road to celebrate Christmas with loved ones. Many of the travelers FOX6 News spoke with on Christmas Eve were in a good mood, keeping in mind what and who awaits them.

Lindsay Weber says spending hours at Mitchell International Airport wasn't how they planned on spending Christmas Eve -- especially with little Reese, who isn't a big fan of sitting still!

They'll be spending the holidays with family in Florida, but their flight out of Milwaukee was delayed by more than three hours.

"We actually looked into changing it, but it was our best option. For us all, our family is long distance. We don`t have anyone here, so we definitely use this to see family," Weber said.

The Kennedy family was waiting at the airport as well -- not for a plane to take off, but instead, for a plane to come in. They haven't seen their son in about a year.

"I`m thinking I can`t contain my excitement. Nobody in the family knows. This is a total surprise," Juley Kennedy said.

It's the type of reunion many plan on at Christmastime, and many are willing to sacrifice time in the air or in the car to get there.

"That`s what the family tradition has been for my whole life. Go down, visit the grandmas on the one side, go see the remaining relatives on the other side of the family, make it a whole day trip and come back around midnight," Joe Tynan said.

But Tynan knows from experience it might not always be an easy trip.

"You are going to be in traffic, but just relax and enjoy it. It's the holidays," Tynan said.

Tynan admits the lower gas prices we've seen recently certainly help when it comes to traveling for the holidays.

"Better on the pocketbook. There`s better gifts in the truck for everyone," Tynan said.

Airport officials say despite the heavy construction at Mitchell International Airport, things went smoothly on Christmas Eve.

Those traveling on Christmas Day are reminded to take advantage of hourly parking -- as the first hour is free.