Airline and airport staffing shortages have caused massive waits across the world as travelers look forward to vacations and visiting family once again. And, on traditionally busy days, like over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the situation has only made things worse. Cheddar News senior reporter Michelle Castillo reports live from LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. 

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Fourth of July Travel Marred By Staffing Shortages

they're keeping things going despite the staff shortages and the increase in numbers of travelers here at laguardia. So as you can see behind me, there are some crowds but it's definitely moving along. Now a little bit further off camera. There is the security line for T. S. A. We're not allowed to shoot back there for federal reasons. But I did stop by there and talk to some representatives. They said on average they're seeing about 79% to 80% capacity here at laguardia today. It's at 85%. I know this morning the lines were astronomical, but they were keeping things going. You were constantly moving, especially if you're in T. S. A pre check. And the good news about that as they said, the longest wait that they were seeing was about 30 minutes. We did get to talk to some travelers who are traveling this weekend about their experiences so far. Have you guys take a listen so far other than delayed flights has been great. What were you expecting when you got to the airport? Uh I expect my flight to be canceled because that's what's happened the last few times. So it's not canceled. It's just delayed. So I'm I'm a happy camper so far it's been quite positive. I thought I was gonna run into a lot more traffic. So it was a smooth sailing from New Jersey and so far it doesn't look too bad. I'm waiting for my parents who I'm traveling with. I did check the board here and it's been fluctuating through the day. About 13 flights have delays right now and two of them completely canceled. That's a little bit up from usual but it's not anything that a lot of people were expecting the worst. So it's a little better. So Kristen you might actually be in luck today. Let's hope Michelle. And it's it is good to see traffic moving behind you. So I know you mentioned some of the capacity there that you've got the estimates of any overall estimate. A big number as terms of how many people are expected to travel this holiday weekend. Well according to Hopper they're expecting about 2.6 million people per day to go through T. S. A. Checkpoints yesterday. The T. S. A. Said they had a little bit over 2.44 million go through. Now let's compare that to 2019 levels. It was just shy of 2.1 million people going through T. S. A. So we're definitely seeing that revenge traveling especially ahead of the fourth of july weekend.