On the Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, passenger air service may be returning to the Chico airport in 2025, and the pioneering airline executive who first said no smoking on my planes (Northwest) has died. New rules to protect airline passengers in the event of long flight delays or baggage you paid the airlines to transport, but didn't show up, have taken effect. Mark goes over them to help make you a smarter traveler the next time your travel doesn't go the way it should have. It was a bad week for the airlines. A senate bill to regulate loyalty programs popped up, plus the department of transportation has launched an investigation into competition, airfares and a host of things the airlines do not want to discuss. But we do...... Odds and Ends include some humorous advice for flight attendant wannabes, and the discovery that one demographic of traveler is absolutely exploding in numbers. Who might that be?
Tag: baggage
On the Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest pilots inch a little closer to a possible strike, the Federal Trade Commission is coming after fake online reviews with big fines, and after a horrible week in the skies, especially for United, the airlines are so far getting travelers where they are going this holiday weekend. If you are vacationing by car this week or anytime this summer, safety and courtesy should be high on your list. Mark talks about the importance of a good driving "attitude" in our Smarter Traveler segment. The redwoods of northern California and the spectacular Oregon Coast are within travel reach of us in Sacramento. Mark has just completed a tour with that itinerary and shares some tips on where to stop and a couple of things to avoid. Several weeks ago, one of Mark's staff had a bag lost by United Airlines. We've been following this saga and now we have another update. The bag has been found and returned. So happy ending to the story? Maybe...or maybe not. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings. The opera star ain't singin' yet.
On the Sunday, June 25th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the state department re-issues travel advisories to four countries, Bolivia, Denmark, The Dominican Republic and Ecuador; and the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon lives to see another day/season. The web is full of fake phone numbers and web sites you might think are for legit travel companies. When you call or email one of them, you'll find they do business a little differently than the parent company. Just because they answered "United Airlines," doesn't mean that's actually who they are. Our Smarter Traveler segment addresses the dangers and has some suggestions to keep fake companies out of your wallet. A new bill in the California legislature might get rid of bogus travel fees, like those charged by hotels. Our special guest updates the bill's progress and chances for passage. If you are a tall traveler who loves exit rows, we might have some bad news. And if you are looking to avoid baggage charges, why not just wear everything onto the plane?
On the Sunday, June 4th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Planet Hollywood calls it quits after 30 years in Las Vegas, and Spirit Airlines becomes the latest to join those in "melt down land" last Thursday, when a computer glitch caused nearly 90% of their flights to be delayed or canceled. Carry on bags are often a battle zone on planes. In order to avoid baggage fees, people haul on everything but the kitchen sink. Is it time to enforce the carry-on rules? One airline has a unique approach. Frontier is paying gate agents a bonus/commission on bags they flag at the gate? We talk about whether or not that idea is a winner or a dud. Mark just returned from a trip to many baseball landmarks and shares his thoughts on The Negro Leagues Museum, the Field of Dreams movie site, Wrigley Field, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Yankee Stadium and many more. Our Travel Mailbag answers questions regarding car rentals, national parks and fees on ticket purchases online. Have a question? Submit it to us here and we'll do our best to get you an answer.