Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called on Americans to be more courteous and presentable as the country braces for what is expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving travel season on record, a period likely to test travelers’ patience across airports and highways nationwide.

The appeal follows the Department of Transportation’s recent launch of a nationwide civility campaign, aimed at improving passenger behavior during peak travel times. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Duffy criticized disruptive conduct onboard flights, particularly passengers who remove their shoes and place bare feet on the seats in front of them. He urged travelers to be more aware of how their actions affect others and to show basic respect while flying.

“We’ve seen what feels like a degradation of civility in our airspace,” Duffy told reporters. “That’s not something you can legislate or mandate. But I do believe you can improve behavior by simply asking people to be more thoughtful and considerate.”

As part of his broader message, Duffy also encouraged travelers to dress appropriately when flying, advising against wearing pajamas or slippers in airports. He emphasized that small gestures—such as dressing neatly and being polite—can help create a more pleasant experience during crowded travel periods.

In addition, the transportation secretary called on physically able passengers to assist fellow travelers with heavy luggage. He suggested that those who are “a little stronger” should offer help placing bags into overhead bins, framing such acts as listening to one’s “better angels” and contributing to a spirit of cooperation during the holiday rush.

Despite lingering concerns over staffing shortages earlier this year, Duffy reassured the public that airports and air traffic control facilities will be fully staffed throughout the Thanksgiving travel period. He acknowledged previous disruptions caused by the prolonged government shutdown but stressed that safety remains the top priority.

“This is going to be the busiest Thanksgiving we’ve ever seen for air travel,” Duffy said. “We expect around 31 million passengers to fly this week alone. Our towers, TRACONs, and air traffic control centers will be solidly staffed, and safety is paramount.”

These figures represent an increase from earlier projections by the Federal Aviation Administration, which had initially predicted the busiest travel season since 2010. Only weeks ago, Duffy and the FAA had announced plans to reduce flights at major airports due to air traffic controller shortages stemming from the 43-day government shutdown.

However, since Congress reopened the government and federal employees received back pay, the situation has stabilized. The administration also announced $10,000 bonuses for air traffic controllers who worked every shift during the shutdown, a move intended to retain experienced personnel and prevent further staffing losses.

While Duffy previously expressed concerns about a rise in retirement filings among air traffic controllers, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford clarified that filing retirement paperwork does not mean employees are leaving immediately. He confirmed that staffing levels are sufficient to handle the holiday surge and noted improvements in training pipelines compared to previous years.

Thanksgiving travel congestion will not be limited to airports. According to AAA, approximately 73 million Americans are expected to travel by car, making roads especially crowded in the afternoons on Tuesday, Wednesday, and the following Sunday. Duffy noted that relatively low gas prices—averaging about $3.02 per gallon—could further encourage road travel.

As millions of Americans head home for the holidays, Duffy’s message is clear: patience, politeness, and a little consideration can go a long way in making one of the year’s busiest travel seasons safer and more pleasant for everyone.