Busy Holiday Travel Season Expected

As travelers pack up their bags and get ready for Thanksgiving week, one thing is certain: They will not be alone. The TSA estimates that more than 25 million travelers will be screened at airport checkpoints between Friday, November 16, and Monday, November 26, a 7 percent increase compared to last year.

According to AAA, the 2018 Thanksgiving weekend will see the holiday period’s highest travel volume since 2005, with over 54 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more.

While the day before Thanksgiving has traditionally been one of the busiest travel days of the year, TSA reported that it has started to see more people start their travels the Friday before Thanksgiving, with most passengers choosing to return home on either the Sunday or Monday after Thanksgiving. The busiest travel days will still be the Tuesday and Wednesday just prior to Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving—that Sunday is actually projected to break into the TSA’s top 10 busiest days ever.

As for driving, AAA reports that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be the worst day for drivers in San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles; the Tuesday before will be the worst day for folks heading out of New York, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Atlanta, Seattle, and Boston; and Monday will be the worst pre-Thanksgiving traffic day for those in Houston.

Warm weather destinations and theme parks are clearly where the masses will be heading this Thanksgiving. Whether you want to join them or avoid them, here’s the full list of AAA’s Top 10 destinations:

1. Orlando, Florida
2. New York City
3. Anaheim, California
4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Cancun, Mexico
7. Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
8. Honolulu, Hawaii
9. Washington, D.C.
10. Miami, Florida

Jimmy Butler Debuts for Sixers Tonight

The Sixers welcome their newest star to the team tonight when they take on the Orlando Magic in Orlando at 7pm.

Jimmy Butler was acquired from the Timberwolves where he averaged 21.3 points, 4.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds in ten games this season.

He’ll now being playing alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, making this Sixers team a legit Eastern Conference contender.

Let’s Go Sixers!!!

 

Consumer Reports 10 Least Reliable Cars

Consumer reports just concluded their extensive 2018 Annual Auto Survey and some of the results are a little surprising. The models on their top ten least reliable list are vehicles that they think will be in the shop for issues sooner than most other cars.

#1 on the list is the Honda Odyssey. That’s surprising to me because you never really hear folks complaining about mechanical issues with these kid haulers, but CR noted electronic issues, power equipment and “body hardware” problems.

#3 is the Buick Enclave which underwent a full redesign in 2018…although it looks the exact same as it always has. Not sure what they changed, but CR states that you should expect minor transmission issues, fuel system problems and climate control faults.

#4 is the $63,000 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. CR’s survey showed many with engine problems, leaks, noises and electronics issues. The GMC twin also shares the same ratings and poor reviews from owners.

#7 on CR’s list is the Honda Clarity. This is one vehicle that I’ve never seen or even heard of. Supposedly this thing comes in a plug in hybrid model, a full electric and a hydrogen powered model. CR’s readers noted issues with the climate control, fuel system and body hardware. In CR’s full review of the car, they complained about the noisy engine (gas hybrid mode) and uncomfortable seats.

#9 on the list is the Tesla Model X. The CR readers complained about faulty electronics, noises, leaks and body hardware issues. The professional CR review was critical of the slow moving power doors, the hard to reach 3rd row seat, ride comfort and the interior noise.

We noted the top 5 surprises in detail here because we were shocked to see Honda and Tesla on the list. Also, the Chevy truck being on the list is a little funny because Chevy has spent so much money on their recent ad campaigns that focus more on warehouses with trap doors and other stupid stunts…maybe they should spend more time engineering the trucks!

The other five vehicles on the Consumer Reports list were the RAM 3500 truck, Cadillac ATS, Chevy Traverse (another star of the Chevy commercials), KIA Cadenza and VW Atlas.

See their full story here:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-least-reliable-cars/

World Series Game 1 Tonight

World Series Game 1 kicks off tonight at 8:09pm. Two of baseball’s most historic teams — the Red Sox and Dodgers — are set to meet in what should be a thrilling series. Tonight’s game will be held at Fenway Park and features an awesome pitching match-up.

Clayton Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner and seven-time All-Star, takes the ball for the Dodgers. Chris Sale takes the ball for the Sox, also a seven-time All-Star and finished in the top five in the American League Cy Young Award voting the last five seasons. Kershaw and Sale are widely considered to the best lefties in their respective leagues for the last several years. Can it get any better than that to start a World Series?

In another intriguing subplot, managers Alex Cora and Dave Roberts are friends and former teammates. Both Cora and Roberts played for the Red Sox and Dodgers. Look for Roberts to get a nice ovation when he is introduced at Fenway prior to Game 1. His stolen base at Fenway vs the Yankess in game four of the ALCS will never be forgotten.

Game two will also be played in Boston tomorrow night at 8:09.

 

Mecum Chicago Starts on Thursday

Mecum’s Chicago Auction will be held at the Schaumburg Convention Center on Thoreau Drive and starts this Thursday, October 25th.

Expect over 1,000 vehicles to cross the auction block. There will also be motorcycles, automotive art and memorabilia.

If you can’t get there to participate in person, check out the live broadcast on NSCSN:

You can also call in your bids or click and buy live online, although the auction fees are higher for both phone bidder and online buyers.

There are a ton of great cars registered for this sale already and many great picks to fill up any collection, but here’s a wildcard for you…this is one that the wife would love to see sitting out in the driveway:

That’s right, an A-Team replica van.

Here’s a link to the show details:

https://www.mecum.com/auctions/schaumburg-2018/

 

Accidents On The Rise in States that Legalized Marijuana

Probably not a big surprise here: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute announced on Thursday that crashes in states with legalized recreational marijuana have increased up to 6 percent.

The IIHS is set to present two studies on crashes in states where marijuana is legal at the Combating Alcohol- and Drug-Impaired Driving summit at IIHS’ Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, Va.

In one study, analysts estimated that the frequency of collision claims per insured vehicle year rose a combined 6 percent following the start of retail sales of recreational marijuana in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington compared with the controlled states of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. The analysis is based on five years worth of collision loss data from, January 2012 to October 2017.

The second study analyzed crash reports from police in legalized marijuana states and found about a 5 percent increase in crash reports when compared with neighboring states that haven’t legalized marijuana yet.

Analysts controlled for differences in the rated driver population, insured vehicle fleet, the mix of urban vs. rural exposure, unemployment, weather and seasonality. They found that collision claims are the most frequent kind of claims insurers receive.

These findings come as campaigns to decriminalize marijuana gain traction with voters and legislators in the U.S.

Although marijuana’s role in crashes is not as clear as the link between alcohol impairment and crashes, folks from the IIHS think that the public needs to be informed about potential collisions, especially as more states discuss legalization.

A top IIHS spokesperson had this to say about it: “The bottom line is that there appears to be a negative impact of highway safety in legalized states, and states considering legalization need to be prepared to deal with this impact,” he said. “Regardless of the substance — whether it’s alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs or other substances — it is still illegal to drive impaired, and we need to make sure that the public understands that we can’t be behind the wheel, period.”

The IIHS is also doing a more detailed study to figure out the level impairment associated with marijuana and corresponding crash risks. Results on that study should be coming in the next year or two.

American Legends Lancaster PA Show on Sunday

The annual American Legends Corvette and Chevrolet show is tomorrow in Lancaster, PA.

This year’s show is expected to be huge. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded in 14 classes.

The show will be held at the corner of Rte 30 and Rohrerstown Rd and starts at 11:30am.

Expect live music, door prizes, a live auction, Brewster’s BBQ and a “ladies oasis”. I may go out just to check out what’s going on at the “ladies oasis”!

Check out all details here:

https://www.lcccpa.com/