I hope I am in the right forum to ask this. I am flying home to visit my parents next Wednesday for Thanksgiving. I am currently living near Columbia University, and I was planning to take the subway to JFK, as it seems to be the cheapest option. I'm wondering about a few things:

• Being the day before Thanksgiving, how early do you think I need to be at the airport? My flight is at 9:30 am, and I was planning to leave Columbia around 5 am. The flight is domestic.
• Is it safer to catch the AirTrain at Howard Beach or Jamaica Station? Howard Beach seems to be the most direct route, but I'd rather go with the safer option, even if it's less convenient.
• Is the Columbia U subway station (at 116th and Broadway) too deserted around 5am? I know on weekdays there is construction nearby starting earlier than that, but I'm not sure if this will hold true the day before Thanksgiving, since classes are not in session.

My first concern is safety. My second concern is not missing my flight (my trip is too short as it is). If it makes any difference, I'm an averaged-sized female in my twenties, and I will have a small amount of luggage with me (carry-on and backpack), which I suppose could make me look like a tourist.

Thanks!