Traveling Over Labor Day Weekend? Have A Back-up Plan For Cancellations And Delays, And Be Patient

Many children have gone back to school in the U.S., and the days are getting shorter, but there is still one more excuse to use the swimsuits and beach towels before packing them up Labor Day .

Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are expected to be packed for the long holiday weekend as a lot Americans mark the unofficial end of summer the same way they celebrated the season's unofficial start by traveling .

The Transportation Security Administration anticipates screening more than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday - a record for the Labor Day period.

AAA says bookings for domestic travel are running 9 higher than last year for the holiday weekend, while international trips are down 4.

American Airlines plans to have its largest Labor Day weekend operation ever and expects a 14 increase in passengers compared to last year.