In the era of remote work, Americans are extending their Thanksgiving holiday travels, taking advantage of flexible work arrangements to leave earlier and return later. This change in travel patterns is attributed to the increasing permanence of telework in American life, which allows more people to spend extended time with family and friends during the holidays. Despite this trend, traditional busy travel days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after remain popular due to in-person work commitments and school schedules.
Key Points
- Extended Holiday Travel: Many Americans are now leaving earlier and returning later for Thanksgiving travel, utilizing the flexibility offered by remote work.
- Impact of Remote Work: Around 70% of people with remote-capable jobs are choosing to work remotely on some or all days, enabling them to dodge traffic and inclement weather during holiday travels.
- Traditional Busy Travel Days: Despite the trend towards extended travel, the busiest travel days continue to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, largely due to in-person work and school commitments.
- Personal Experiences: Individuals like May Melton Geiger and Shradha Menghrajani are examples of those taking advantage of remote work to spend more time with family during Thanksgiving, with some even extending their stay to about a month.
- Family Time Benefits: Sociologist Brad Wilcox notes that spending more time with family, facilitated by remote work, can offer meaningful and fulfilling experiences, despite the potential stresses of family gatherings.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2023/11/23/thankagiving-holidays-travel-remote-work-vacation
