Tag: Southwest Airlines, Page 14

On the Sunday, June 13th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of "people behaving badly on planes." In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii's governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean - with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board; and the CDC has changed the regulation on vaccinated travelers on SOME forms of public transportation...but don't throw away the mask quite yet. Chris Elliott, America's foremost travel consumer advocate, joins us to talk about vacation rentals. Seems owners of vacation home are getting quite creative on the fees they are adding to rentals. Chris updates us on what to look out for. Hint: The bottom line may NOT be the bottom line. Mark went to Oregon with a group of 30 travelers last week, on the heels of a trip to Nevada. How are the two states different? How are rising numbers of travelers impacting the system at airports, restaurants and the like? Mark has some observations.

On the Sunday, May 30th, Memorial Weekend edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, cruise ships are getting approval to begin the process of sailing again, and a Sacramento flyer will never board a Southwest plane again after attacking a flight attendant. Vaccine passports are becoming a reality in many international countries. Want to travel? You may need one, like it or not. We'll give you an update in our Smarter Traveler segment. Plus, Airbnb is getting a LOT of pushback on the number of fees owners are adding to rentals. What do they plan to do about it? Ed Perkins is a travel writer and journalist who has been reporting on travel for nearly half a century. He regularly fills us in with his wisdom on travel issues. We'll ask him about those pesky vaccine passports, about when reduced hotel service might come back and get his input on the restart of the cruise industry. Cruise ships are really in the news. Our own expert, Gwen Duncan, stops in to tell us where the deals are and what you need to know to get them. Hints: sign up for updates from cruise lines and get a good travel advisor.

On the Sunday, April 18th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, reopening continues at museums, hotels and attractions, especially theme parks. Southwest has announced new service to two Pacific Northwest cities, Eugene, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington. While you would have to connect to those destinations (no non-stops from Sacramento), it’s important to note that Bellingham is very close to the Canadian border (when it reopens) and is also the jumping off spot for the Alaska Ferry. California could be headed for a big fire season this year. Recently, a tour operator friend of Mark’s, Shebby Lee, had to flee her home in the Black Hills on a moment’s notice. Her experience might help you prepare for a similar occurrence in your neighborhood. Shebby also offers one heck of a Lewis and Clark tour you might want to participate in this year or in the future. Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel joins Mark to debate the return of cruise ships to the high seas. Gwen says the ships have done a lot to improve traveler safety on board against Covid. Mark says he’s not sure you can trust cruise lines, who haven’t always proven to be the best environmental partners, among other sins, and how can a cruise possibly be safe during Covid? 50 years ago, a vocal duo named Brewer and Shipley wrote and sang a controversial song, ‘One Toke Over the Line.' It was about smoking too much funny tobacco. The song was WAYYY before it’s time. Next week, April 20 (4-20) comes to calendars. 4-20 is a longtime part of marijuana culture. Tom sits down with one of the duo and gets the story behind the song. It really is a great interview. Especially the part about the song being played on the Lawrence Welk Show.

On the Sunday, March 28th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise ships, restaurants, even crowded hotel elevators. They are all part of the travel comeback picture, but how do the pieces fit together, and more importantly, how do you travel with the current conditions? Travel to Hawaii has been a confusing proposition the last few months, to say the least. But COVID infections are down and even Kauai is joining the party. Our friend Will Lydgate, the Kauai chocolate farmer, gives us an update. More people are traveling now than a month ago. Are there any changes about how we get through security? Any special COVID rules to know about? Sid Thrift from TSA is on hand to give us the scoop.