PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- It's expected to be the busiest thanksgiving for travelers since the start of the recession.

Like many airports across the country, Pittsburgh International was a heavily trafficked spot Wednesday with Thanksgiving travelers coming and going. Many were trying to beat the rush of the last-minute travel goers.

On the biggest travel day of the year, more eyes may be set upon airport flight information screens than home television sets.

"When we got off of our plane here, there were people everywhere," said Donna Dicenzo of Oakland, Calif.

The afternoon trip through security appeared to be brief and problem free. Guards went through their routine checks, and travelers were not held up in lines for long periods of time.

And for the fliers NEWS9 spoke with, that was the case in many travel hubs nationwide. They said leaving early was the key.

"We left four hours early, just to avoid it and it was not a problem at all," said Lynn Biasci of Denver, Colo.

"I think we picked the perfect time to leave. There was not much traffic, nothing too bad, so it was pretty good," said Ryan Howell of Kansas City, Mo.

Howell was on his way to Jewett, Ohio to visit family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Despite leaving early, many still dealt with crowds.

"I fly a lot and there were a lot of people out today," said Dicenzo.

For some, moving through the airport Wednesday afternoon was the only way to go. They said, last minute just leads to a more chaotic scene, and more frustration.

Many flights were bunched together around the dinner hour for those who finish one more day of work before an extended break.

Thus, the evening rush became a bit more literal around Pittsburgh International airport on Wednesday.

"We knew it was the busiest travel day, so we wanted to beat the rush, and it worked out," said Paul Biasci of Denver, Colo.

"We always come out a day early, it's just easier that way," said Howell.