REAL ID Page 2

On the Saturday, April 19th, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, California has a message for Canadians considering a visit, and we tell you what media group has decided Spirit is the best airline (?) in the sky. Our Smarter Traveler segment features an update on the REAL ID (deadline May 7) and we talk about "aisle lice" on the airplane. What the heck are those people doing, charging up the aisle, sometimes before the plane even gets to the gate? You're trying to find a hotel online or by phone, or both. We have some tips on how to know when a hotel is one you don't want to reserve, things a Smarter Traveler can figure out before they even make a reservation. Carson City is hosting a unique hike this summer, with two selected participants hiking from Carson City all the way to the Canadian border, as a way of promoting new hiking trails in the Tahoe Basin. We have details.

On the Saturday, April 12th, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest will start retrofitting cabins in two weeks, creating extra leg room seating; and an ill-advised new bill would change the drinking deadline from 2 to 4am in some cities around our state. (What a great idea, even drunker people on the road in the wee hours of the morning.) Our Smarter Traveler segment takes a break this week in favor of a commentary, Just One Man's Opinion, which addresses the ongoing erasure of our American history, something treasured by travelers from all over the world. The REAL ID deadline is less than a month away. If you are traveling by air after May 7th, and don't have a current passport, this could be important to you. We walk you through the application process, and tell you how to know if you already have a REAL ID. We have also posted a link to the application process. Our Odds and Ends portion of the program addresses the sudden lack of international visitors coming and going to the US of A and what the impact might be on businesses.

On the Saturday, February 1st, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Sacramento International had over 13.6 million passengers pass through the airport in 2024, a new record; and Spirit Airlines says no, at least initially to another merger offer from Spirit. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we report that the "hard deadline" for the REAL ID for travelers of May 7, isn't really. It's a soft deadline, and you will be warned by TSA you only have until May 7, 2027 to get your REAL ID. Airline lounge membership generally comes at a cost. A fee, an upscale credit card you pay for, there is a dollar amount attached. Some travelers love the lounges, some don't. Mark and Reporter Clayton Whitehead have a "discussion" about lounges. Clayton loves 'em, Mark not so much. Point/Counterpoint. Rick Steves was in town for a KVIE function last week, and we got a chance to talk a little about the upcoming year with a true travel guru.

On the Saturday, January 18th, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, TSA issues a final rule for REAL ID enforcement - no more extensions they say. Also, is it true American cruise ships continue to stop in foreign ports after the US Government issues warnings about traveling to those destinations? Those stories and more in the Travel News. Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about REAL ID. How do you get one, why do you need it, how hard is it to obtain. Hint: Type REAL ID in your search engine and all will be revealed. May 6 is the deadline date and you will need one (or a passport) to board even a domestic flight. The 100 Days of Wellness in Sonoma County is just the cure for the winter blues. Everything from spa specials to activities for the entire family. We have details. Tourism Cares is the entity that shepherds projects which help tourism destinations in a variety of ways. Find out what Tourism Cares is all about and why it should be on your radar as a traveler.