United Airlines Page 7

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 Saturday, November 11th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, United Airlines redesigns its frequent flyer program to put a heavier premium on the use of their credit cards, following American and Delta into the “we don’t care if you fly on our planes, as long as you use our credit cards” tunnel. Complaints about the airlines to the Department of Transportation (DOT) nearly doubled in the first part of 2023. Is the service from the airlines that bad, are the customers that grouchy or has something changed in the sky? In our Smarter Traveler segment we try and come up with the answer. The back half of the show features a version of “What’s Goin’ On Around Sacramento.” Jack Gallagher stops by to promote his show on December 9th at the B St. Theatre; there’s a really unique music festival at the Green Room Social Club in Placerville after Thanksgiving; and the Transcendence Theatre in Napa/Sonoma has a Broadway Christmas Show for you to attend in December. Sports Leisure Vacations even has a day trip package including brunch and the show (link on this page).

On the Saturday, November 4th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, are "air taxis" about to take to the sky at New York and Los Angeles airports? United Airlines has tweaked its boarding process. Will it make a difference or just irritate passengers? Busy airports are about to get busier in just a few short weeks. Holiday travel could be complicated by a government shutdown. There will be a lot of inexperienced travelers. Our Smarter Traveler segment offers tips on how to deal with the "newbies." Travel insurance is something many travelers buy, but few know much about. An expert joins us to answer our questions about how to find the right travel insurance for you and some of the things to watch out for. Our Odds and Ends segment features Mark’s recollections of Selma, Alabama; and the story of how shares of Mickey Mantle’s boyhood home were sold to the public, and sold out in 24 hours!

On the Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest pilots inch a little closer to a possible strike, the Federal Trade Commission is coming after fake online reviews with big fines, and after a horrible week in the skies, especially for United, the airlines are so far getting travelers where they are going this holiday weekend. If you are vacationing by car this week or anytime this summer, safety and courtesy should be high on your list. Mark talks about the importance of a good driving "attitude" in our Smarter Traveler segment. The redwoods of northern California and the spectacular Oregon Coast are within travel reach of us in Sacramento. Mark has just completed a tour with that itinerary and shares some tips on where to stop and a couple of things to avoid. Several weeks ago, one of Mark's staff had a bag lost by United Airlines. We've been following this saga and now we have another update. The bag has been found and returned. So happy ending to the story? Maybe...or maybe not. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings. The opera star ain't singin' yet.