Tag: strike

On the Saturday, September 7th, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, wildcat hotel strikes in California and Hawaii have mostly ended without an agreement; and a new survey tells us what one benefit flyers consider to be the most value. Can you guess what it is? Tipping is a touchy subject and travelers face situations where tips are requested (or expected) often. But there is one set of people Mark always leaves a little something for. He shares his thoughts in our Smarter Traveler segment. September is California Wine Month. There are a ton of special events and activities...including one at a Livermore winery where you can catch a falconry demonstration. How do falcons help wineries? You'll hear the story and it's a fascinating interview. Our odds and ends segment features frequent complaints by hotel guests. If you are the person slamming you door at 1am, there is a special place in "Traveler Heaven" for you...ok, maybe not heaven.

On the Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Delta says the computer meltdown may cost it half a BILLION dollars; and Disneyland averts a strike by park workers with a new contract. Restaurants have a new way for you to pay. Imagine not having to wait for your check, just paying when you want, and walking out the door. But is this new system a plus or a minus for diners? The airline industry and their lobbying group (Airlines for America) are doing everything they can to keep from following new rules about disclosing the REAL cost of travel. We'll explain who the good guys and the bad guys are in this story. The Travel Guys are welcoming a new Travel Gal, Sydney Schellinger. She has an interesting connection to a "poodle," and Sydney will be a regular contributor to the program, filling us in on bargains and adventure travel for our younger listeners.

On the Sunday, July 9th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the hotel strike situation in Los Angeles isn't settled yet, and maybe one of the reasons is a request by the hotel workers union to add a 7% surcharge to guests room charges to help cover the cost of housing in Los Angeles and Orange County. The workers at several dozen hotels are back on the job, but future strike actions are looming. Our Smarter Traveler segment takes on the subject of "airline hacker fares." That's when you buy a ticket with the intention of throwing part of it away. You buy a ticket to Milwaukee, with a stop in Chicago, because the fare is significantly cheaper. You get off the plane in Chicago and throw the Milwaukee portion of the ticket away. Fly to Sacramento, with a stop in San Francisco, and never fly on to Sacramento. Two examples of hacker situations. The airlines create this themselves, with screwball ticket prices that make no sense. But is using this kind of ticket breaking the law, or just messing with the airlines minds? The California State Fair opens next week, and Tom has his annual interview, talking about all the fun things to do at the fair. Fort Bragg is an isolated community on the California coast. Talk about off the beaten track. Come with us to Fort Bragg and the Noyo Harbor Inn and have a look around town.

On the Sunday, May 14th 2023, Mother's Day edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, pilots from several airlines have voted to authorize a strike? What does this mean for summer travel? We share an important take on the situation. Airfares dropped a bit in April. Does this mean the long upward climb in fares is over? Clearing customs is always a bit stressful, whether you are coming to or going from the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we give you some tips on how to make your customs encounter as brief as possible by helping you be prepared. Carnaval in San Francisco is a fun, all-free event that is back for its 45th year this Memorial Day weekend. Find more info on the event here. Chris Elliott, Consumer Advocate, joins us from Christchurch, New Zealand, to discuss the automation of the travel industry and why it might be moving just a little too fast, from a customer services standpoint. Plus, why does it take so long to get a refund everyone agrees you are owed. Chris reminds us the importance of being patient, polite and persistent when chasing your money.