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On the Saturday, December 9th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the TSA is planning to try out self-serve security lanes in Las Vegas early next year, and American and United are balking at a re-do of their Chicago O'Hare Terminals, as the cost has skyrocketed. Our Smarter Traveler segment features a rant by Mark about carry-on bags. Why do they make us gate check so many when often times there is plenty of room on the plane? Mark has a simple solution. European Tour Operator Rick Steves was in town last week to do a presentation at the Crest Theater to benefit Public Television. We sat down with him and talked about a wide variety of travel topics. That interview is at the halfway mark of the podcast. In our odds and ends segment, we offer a fine tuning to our baggage tracker suggestions. In you have one attached to your bag, there's one place you definitely don't want to put it.

On the Sunday, March 13th, 2022 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Rick Steves, who escorts trips around the planet, has canceled his tours which include stops in Russia for 2022. In fact new statistics show 1/3 of people who were planning to travel to Europe have canceled those plans for now and another 1/3 are reconsidering travel to the continent, all because of the war in Ukraine. Also, the Queen Mary, which has been in the news and closed recently, has a new lease on life. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we revisit the decision of whether or not to pay an additional charge for seats on the plane. Mark points out there are a few situations where you need to consider it. Sonoma's International Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. It starts Wednesday and we have a look at some of the highlights. Finally, Mark talks about International Women's Day, which was on the calendar. He points out the hypocrisy of companies who say one thing in situations like this, but their actions don't always support those comments.

On the Sunday, August 23rd, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Delta says they will block the middle seats on their aircraft until the 1st of the year.  In addition, they will keep smaller, regional aircraft (which do not have middle seats) to 2/3 capacity.  Expect some others to follow.  Some resort destinations are considering "bubbles," where you do not leave the resort during your entire stay.  Hawaii is on the list. Our Smarter Traveler segment covers both the humorous and the serious as we share Rick Steves' Top No Travel Tips to Europe; and discuss the next decision on airline bailouts.  Friend of the show, Joe Brancatelli, opines that the airlines should get no more, even though it means service cuts at his small home airport.  Mark agrees, it's time to stop bailing out companies who treat their customers like crap and are always there with their hands out.   Sacramento International Airport has announced new service, two nights a week to Mexico City on Volaris Airlines.  We have details and an update from the airport. We are a town with rail history.  No wonder there are some fun rail options.  This week, we tell you about the Fox River Train, which includes wine and beer sampling excursions, along with sightseeing trips.

This Sunday, Dec. 3rd, on The Travel Guys... In the Travel News, American Airlines seems to have found enough of their pilots to fly over the holidays...at double holiday pay. American Airlines stockholders should be thrilled. Plus, Mark has the schedules for the new Vancouver - Sacramento service on Air Canada. Our international airport is becoming more international! * * Rick Steves was in Sacramento last Sunday night, to deliver his "Travel as a Political Act" presentation. Despite what the title might leave you to believe, the speech wasn't political in the sense you may be thinking. Mark and Tom share their analysis. How Safe is My Trip is the name of a website mentioned by Gwen Duncan in a report on Travel Scams last week. Now we have the head of the site on our show to explain to you how you can get high level intelligence information about your travel destinations for a small fee. Mark talks about two Sports Leisure Vacations adventures. Join the group headed for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in San Jose in early January; or scratch one off your bucket list by joining Mark on a journey down Route 66 in April.