[Times photo: Chris Schneider]
Kylie Kelldorf, 12, has her pet dog, Sparky, and a stuffed animal keep her company while she waits on the floor next to her bags at Tampa International Airport on Sunday. She was traveling home to Dallas.

By SUSAN THURSTON

TAMPA -- Hectic airports and congested roads, worsened by rainy weather, dominated the region Sunday as people returned home after the long Thanksgiving holiday.

Several flights at Tampa International Airport were delayed, and traffic on Interstate 75 was backed up for miles on one of the most active travel days of the year.

"It's extremely busy," said Jim Jarvis, an air traffic controller working Sunday afternoon. "There's a line of weather north of Tampa. The planes are having to deviate around it, and in and out of it."

The roads were equally crowded. Interstate 75 was bumper to bumper from Pasco County to Sumter County, a Florida Highway Patrol dispatcher said. Calls from frustrated motorists lit up her switchboard.

The rain caused multiple accidents along the interstate, although details weren't available.

A record 38.9-million Americans -- 4 percent more than last year -- were expected to travel at least 100 miles from home for the holiday, according to the American Automobile Association. The Air Transport Association predicted a record 2.24-million passengers.

At the Tampa airport, some airlines offered passengers travel vouchers for overbooked flights.

Nancy Cummins and her husband volunteered to postpone their trip home to Springfield, Mo., in exchange for $500 each in vouchers and a free night's stay at a local hotel.

"We didn't care," she said. "It's cold at home."

So they put their name on a list and waited to see whether the airline would take them up on the deal when flight time arrived.

Jim Darragh of Mansfield, Mass., couldn't resist adding his name to the list when the airlines upped the amount from $300 to $500.

"I don't see why they overbook," he said.

Airport officials estimated about 120,000 people would pass through on Sunday. About 54,000 of them would be passengers and the rest would be people seeing them off or welcoming them home.

Some flights were delayed up to three hours because of bad weather in Florida and parts of the Northeast.

Carol Charlton arrived at the airport at 7:30 a.m. in plenty of time to catch a morning flight to Miami on her way home to Jamaica. By noon, however, she was still waiting.

To pass the time, she read A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. She laughed at her choice, saying it was no coincidence. She had a hunch it could be a long trip home.

"Wish me luck," she said.

Many travelers tried to stay upbeat as the minutes -- and hours -- ticked by.

"Unfortunately, you're at the control of the airlines and the air traffic controllers," said traveler Keith Ridley of Tampa. "There's not a lot you can do about it but smile."

Others knew to expect delays on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

"Every single year the same thing happens," said Gary Litman of St. Petersburg while waiting with his son, whose flight was delayed to New York. "I usually bring work."

The TIA parking situation marked a bright spot in the otherwise gloomy day. Lots were crowded, but not full, thanks largely to the completion of a 2,150-space remote lot this month.

"It's just a very busy day with a lot of people coming and going," said Scott Loper, assistant director of operations.

-- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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