Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Thanksgiving travelers on Monday to be more courteous and more mindful of how they present themselves as they head into one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
Speaking at a press conference, Duffy encouraged passengers to approach airport staff with a little more patience and gratitude. He suggested travelers take the time to say “please” and “thank you” to pilots and flight attendants who will be working through the holiday rush.
He also said that how people dress can influence their behavior. Duffy noted that travelers do not need to wear anything fancy, but putting on clean jeans and a decent shirt shows respect for others and can help set a better tone. He asked passengers to avoid showing up in slippers or pajamas, saying that a bit more effort can lead to better interactions for everyone.
His comments come shortly after the record government shutdown disrupted travel nationwide. More than 40 airports saw reduced operations because of staffing shortages in air traffic control, triggered by retirements and widespread callouts during the funding lapse. Many controllers were already stretched thin and were forced to work long hours without pay.
Duffy pointed out that the stress from delays, cancellations, and crowded terminals caused some passengers to act out during the shutdown. That experience motivated his call for more patience and civility as the holiday season begins.
In a message posted last week on X, he encouraged travelers to “be merry” while flying, dress a bit nicer, look out for others, and try to stay in a positive mood. He added that bringing back basic courtesy is not complicated and can make a real difference.
The Transportation Department expects to screen nearly 20 million travelers this week, making this Thanksgiving period potentially the busiest in more than fifteen years.