CHARLESTON, W.Va. — During the busiest air travel day of the year, most flyers that landed at Yeager Airport Wednesday were happy to reunite with their loved ones this Thanksgiving weekend.
Chloe Walker, of Loma Linda, Calif., couldn’t help but smile ear-to-ear as she made her way to baggage claim to meet her mother.
“This weekend I’m just hanging out with family, just enjoying good food and relaxing, doing a little bit of studying,” she told MetroNews as her and her mother locked arms.
Walker is a second-year medical student in California, but was born and raised in Charleston. She said this time of year brings her a lot of joy.
“I just love the changes of color. I love the hot drinks and just how all the family gets together. I like all the good Christmas movies that are starting to come on and just putting on warm clothing. I love it all,” Walker said.
Maria Young, of Gallipolis, Ohio, would’ve had a much closer commute to West Virginia, but she said she flew into Yeager from Florida where she vacationed there.
“We went down there and stayed for a while, but I’m glad to be back here where I belong,” Young said. “I’m happy to see regular trees and not palm trees.”
Belinda McKenzie, of Leesville, La., said she was looking forward to spending the weekend with her nieces and nephews before heading back to work Monday.
Since Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what you have, McKenzie told MetroNews it’s important to acknowledge those things.
“My family and for our health,” she said about what she’s giving thanks for on Thursday.
The last flight to arrive at Yeager on Wednesday is from Chicago at 4:19 p.m. The last departing flight heads to Washington, D.C. at 2:22 p.m.