Christopher Elliott Page 11

On the Sunday, February 28th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, formal complaints to airlines jumped by over 500% last year. Not surprising, considering all the fuss over refunds and vouchers. California tourism destinations are hoping for spring openings, at least on a limited basis. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how both Americans and Canadians are trying to make sure the closing of Canadian ports to cruise ships and a little known US law don't kill the Alaska cruise season. Work is going on to fix the situation north and south of the border. Which poses the question, will cruise ships be safe this summer? We'll tell you about how the cruise industry is preparing to resume sailing the world's oceans. Chris Elliott, who used to have a weekly column in The Bee when the paper had a travel section, makes one of his regular guest appearances on our program to talk about those airlines vouchers you've got. Guess what, they could be expiring soon. What do you do? Chris has some wisdom. In the final segment, Mark answers some mailbag questions on overseas travel this summer, making reservations for a cruise and bringing food on the plane.

On the Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Uber is telling riders wear a mask, properly, or you aren't riding again. Alaska Airlines is tightening which animals are allowed on its planes, and its bad news for those with "emotional support animals." Norwegian Cruise Lines is waiting until at least April to sail again and the island of Kauai is trying to find its way with tourism. Many people have flight credits on a variety of airlines for trips they couldn't take in 2020. You need to watch the expirations dates and a few other things so your "asset" doesn't lose its value. We help in our Smarter Traveler segment. Click here for a list of things you should know about your flight credits. Our friend and Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott opined about travel, covid and vaccines last week. We asked him on to talk about how the vaccines might help travel and how that could impact you. The late song writer and vocalist Dan Fogelberg has a tune which is played a lot this time of year. Same Old Lang Syne is about meeting an old flame by chance on New Year's Eve. It's a longtime holiday standard. Bet you didn't know it's a true story! Our entertainment segment gives you the rest of the story.

On the Sunday, December 13th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the new defense bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives this week contains a signature item from Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which was placed inside the bill. The defense spending bill could still be vetoed by President Trump. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in April of 2017. It would mandate a doctor on every cruise ship, and video cameras in public areas. Our Smarter Traveler segment featured two items. There is a new web site matching people who want one-way car rentals. Those can be expensive, but this is a way of reducing the cost. So far, it's only in Canada, but it's coming to the US soon. What do you do when you sit down on the airplane on your holiday trip and your seat mate isn't wearing a mask or isn't wearing it properly? What's the etiquette/protocol in that situation? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has taken their annual holiday show online this year. Tom has an update on how you can get virtual tickets to this year's show. Is it ethical to sell travel during the pandemic? We asked Chris Elliott and he answered us. Then we asked Gwen Duncan, The Travel Guys Travel Advisor, about that issue and others weighing on her and her staff.

On the Sunday, December 6th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, we shared an update on emotional support animals on airplanes. Perhaps the tiniest bit of sanity is returning to the issue. Airbnb is about to go public, perhaps at a higher price than recently anticipated. Mark shared his thoughts on the stock. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn't see the northern boarder open anytime in the next 2-3 months due to the high number of Covid cases across the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talked about "travel bubbles" being created by countries and resorts. How are they working? We also update "dining bubbles," the latest thing in outdoor dining. Clayton Whitehead joins us to talk about family travel during the upcoming holidays. He relates a personal story I'm certain many of us can relate to. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott is on hand in the final segment to talk about the major airlines. We gave them $19 billion in bailout funds and they are back for more. Chris suggests we look at what we got for the first $19 billion, and updates us on wordsmithing by the airlines in Washington, DC, and what it might mean to consumers. T’was a month before Christmas T’was a month before Christmas, And all through the town,People wore masks,That covered their frown. The frown had begunWay back in the Spring,When a global pandemicChanged everything. They called it corona,But unlike the beer,It didn’t bring good times,It didn’t bring cheer. Contagious and deadly,This virus spread fast,Like a wildfire that startsWhen fueled by gas. Airplanes were grounded,Travel was banned.Borders were closedAcross air, sea and land. As the world entered lockdownTo flatten the curve,The economy halted,And folks lost their nerve. From March to JulyWe rode the first wave,People stayed home,They tried to behave. When summer emergedThe lockdown was lifted.But away from caution,Many folks drifted. Now it’s NovemberAnd cases are spiking,Wave two has arrived,Much to our disliking. Frontline workers,Doctors and nurses,Try to save people,From riding in hearses. This virus is awful,This COVID-19.There isn’t a cure.Too early for vaccine. It’s true that this yearHas had sadness a plenty,We’ll never forgetThe year 2020. And just ‘round the corner -The holiday season,But why be merry?Is there even one reason?To decorate the houseAnd put up the tree,When no one will see it,No-one but me. But outside my windowThe snow gently falls,And I think to myself,Let’s deck the halls!So, I gather the ribbon,The garland and bows,As I play those old carols,My happiness grows. Christmas isn’t cancelledAnd neither is hope. If we lean on each other,I know we can cope.