The Travel Guys

In the Travel News, Amtrak is putting Covid relief funds to good use, restoring daily services on many long distance trains, including the California Zephyr. American Airlines tells 15,000 employees to forget the furlough notices, and air travel has had a significant bump in the past 7-10 days. But, hotels are still in big trouble. Now it’s the Fairmont San Jose, the centerpiece hotel downtown, which has shuttered its doors after losing $38 million in the past year. Travelers United has put forth a pretty solid idea regarding airline passenger rights. Post them at the airport. Very few travelers know the simple rules which protect them. So why not make those rights extremely public? Because it isn’t in the best interest of one group….the airlines. More discussion in our Smarter Traveler segment. For nearly more than 7 decades, 3 generations of the Perillo family have taken people on vacation. Italy is their specialty, but they now offer other destinations. Steve Perillo, owner of the 3rd generation family company, joins us to talk overseas travel. Finally, we have the story of the man who spent years in jail because Hertz Car Rental wouldn’t turn over the documents which proved his innocence. We have the full story.

Today, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, not too surprising that formal complaints against the airlines jumped by over 500% last year, considering the refund vs voucher fiasco; and tourism destinations around our state hope for limited spring openings…details next in the news… A few weeks ago, it looked like the cruise season in Alaska might be doomed, but now lots of people are trying to avoid a shutdown. An update on work north and south of the border in our Smarter Traveler segment. Chris Elliott used to have a weekly column in the Travel Section of the Sacramento Bee. The travel section is no more, so Chris joins us on a regular basis. Today he talks about those air credits you got last year. The ones that could be expiring soon. Tom and Mark close the show today with a very quick dip into our TravelGuysRadio.com mailbag. Mark answers questions on summer overseas travel, making reservations for an ocean-going cruise and bringing food on airplanes…

In the Travel News, many of President Biden’s executive orders might impact upcoming travels, and you may have heard about the guy who lived inside O’Hare Airport for THREE months without detection. We have details.How could you live inside security for three months? Well, O’Hare is a 24-hour airport, and fellow passengers fed him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how vaccines and travel are likely to be inked, and how long it might be before it happens. Will you be able to travel WITHOUT a vaccine? Every year about this time, out in Elko, Nevada, they host the Cowboy Poetry gathering. I remember hearing about this when it started back in the 90’s on the Tonight Show when it was still Johnny Carson. This year, the show is virtual. You can buy a ticket and watch the event on line! We update Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program for you, and talk a bit about the Monarch Butterflies who are no longer making it to Pacific Grove for viewing every winter. More shots in arms each week means safe travel gets a little closer. In the meantime, we’re “cooling our jets. Literally.” Welcome to The Travel Guys…

In the Travel News, if you are coming or returning to the US, you will need a covid test. Norwegian Airlines, famous for super low fares across the Atlantic, has become the latest victim of covid. The airline will no longer fly across the pond, rewriting itself as a much smaller regional carrier. The rules for traveling to Hawaii continue to evolve, and in our Smarter Traveler segment, we will update you on the new way to visit Kauai without a quarantine, and review the rest of the current Hawaii covid travel rules. Normally, in the days leading up to the inauguration of a president, Washington, DC would be abuzz. But, because of covid and recent violence at the Capitol, there won’t be spectator events. But you can still “attend” the inauguration. Destination DC has prepared a virtual tour of the city, taking you to dozens of sites related to the event. You can link to the virtual itinerary here. The Mail Bag segment is always popular. Mark answers your questions on animals in the air, hacker fares on airlines, travel credit cards and vaccinated travel.

In the Travel News, a number of flights in and out of Washington, D.C. had to deal with passengers violating mask and other rules; and a new Travel Advisory in California says you shouldn’t travel more than 120 miles and if you leave the state and return, a 10-day self-quarantine is recommended. Making you a Smarter Traveler – tips on getting the junior travelers to wear a mask; and why you should make your first flight the longest of your journey if possible. Tonopah, Nevada, has a NEW hotel. Well actually an old hotel made new. The owners of the famous haunted Mizpah have opened the Belvada, just across the street. We’ll take you for a visit to this new Queen of the Desert. Step Back from the Baggage Claim is a book written by Jason Barger. It can also be a life philosophy. Jason joins us.

In the Travel News, Uber is telling riders wear a mask, properly, or you aren’t riding again. Alaska Airlines is tightening which animals are allowed on its planes, and its bad news for those with “emotional support animals.” Norwegian Cruise Lines is waiting until at least April to sail again and the island of Kauai is trying to find its way with tourism. Many people have flight credits on a variety of airlines for trips they couldn’t take in 2020. You need to watch the expirations dates and a few other things so your “asset” doesn’t lose its value. We help in our Smarter Traveler segment. Click here for a list of things you should know about your flight credits. Our friend and Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott opined about travel, covid and vaccines last week. We asked him on to talk about how the vaccines might help travel and how that could impact you. The late song writer and vocalist Dan Fogelberg has a tune which is played a lot this time of year. Same Old Lang Syne is about meeting an old flame by chance on New Year’s Eve. It’s a longtime holiday standard. Bet you didn’t know it’s a true story! Our entertainment segment gives you the rest of the story.

In the Travel News, we discuss how the border to Mexico is closed. But if you fly ABOVE the border, it’s a different story….an interesting story for sure. How thousands of Americans are vacationing in Mexico. Favorite guest Ed Perkins is on board to discuss how and when he sees travel coming together. Ed’s been writing about travel a long time, so his opinions might be of high value, just because of his experience. When are Smart Travelers thinking about returning to the road? It just depends on your personal feelings. The back half of the program includes a special farewell to a fellow traveler, and a few behind-the-scenes stories with the show’s only hosts in its ten-year run, Tom Romano and Mark Hoffmann.

It’s our special Christmas show, and if you are a kid of any age, you’ll enjoy our trip to the North Pole! In the Travel News, Bar Harbor, Maine says if Key West can limit the number of cruise ships and how many passengers can descend on their special destination, so can we. Hawaii cuts quarantine time to 10 days and Disney says the 4th day is free. Our Smarter Traveler segment tells you how you can get free Covid testing by appointment at the airport, even if you are not an outbound passenger. And, Sacramento is a top Christmas destination according to Wallet Hub. We’ll find out why. In the second half of the program, we make a visit to The North Pole. We talk to Jed, the man in charge at Reindeer Headquarters. We speak to an original elf, and Mrs. Claus tells us some things about Santa you might not know. Finally, we talk to the big guy himself. The Travel Guys go to the North Pole!

In the Travel News, the new defense bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives this week contains a signature item from Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which was placed inside the bill. The defense spending bill could still be vetoed by President Trump. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in April of 2017. It would mandate a doctor on every cruise ship, and video cameras in public areas. Our Smarter Traveler segment featured two items – there is a new web site matching people who want one-way car rentals. Those can be expensive, but this is a way of reducing the cost. So far, it’s only in Canada, but it’s coming to the US soon. What do you do when you sit down on the airplane on your holiday trip and your seat mate isn’t wearing a mask or isn’t wearing it properly. What’s the etiquette/protocol in that situation? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has taken their annual holiday show on line this year. Tom has an update on how you can get virtual tickets to this year’s show. Is it ethical to sell travel during the pandemic? We asked Chris Elliott and he answered us. Then we asked Gwen Duncan, The Travel Guys Travel Advisor, about that issue and others weighing on her and her staff.

In The Travel News, we shared an update on emotional support animals on airplanes. Perhaps the tiniest bit of sanity is returning to the issue. Airbnb is about to go public, perhaps at a higher price than recently anticipated. Mark shared his thoughts on the stock. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t see the northern boarder open anytime in the next 2-3 months due to the high number of Covid cases across the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talked about “travel bubbles” being created by countries and resorts. How are they working? We also update “dining bubbles,” the latest thing in outdoor dining. Clayton Whitehead joins us to talk about family travel during the upcoming holidays. He relates a personal story I’m certain many of us can relate to. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott is on hand in the final segment to talk about the major airlines. We gave them $19 billion in bailout funds and they are back for more. Chris suggests we look at what we got for the first $19 billion, and updates us on wordsmithing by the airlines in Washington, DC, and what it might mean to consumers.

In The Travel News, there’s trouble in paradise once again as the island of Kauai pulls out of the pre-arrival testing program, effective December 2nd. U.S. airlines are going to play a big role in vaccine distribution. United and American both announced this past week they are positioning planes in preparation. We have also posted A Tribute to Travel Hero Alex Trebek on our site. If you were a fan of the late Jeopardy! host, you may already know he loved to travel and was quite a philanthropist away from home. Mark went to The Travel Guys mailbag and answered a host of your questions. You can find the submission form on this page and send in your question to be answered on a future show. (Mark personally answers as many questions as he can by return email.) Covid has caused problems for many restaurants. Some of those establishments serve travelers. Many are destinations themselves. But many of them are in trouble because of the virus. Our guest is Eric Wolf, Founder and Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association. We ask Eric for his take and how the landscape might look when the virus is no longer a factor.

In the Travel News, Delta Airlines had decided to block the middle seats through March of next year. No other carrier has committed to the practice past December, and most have either already abandoned the middle seat block or will do so in the coming weeks. This gives Delta a significant advantage in what could be a pretty bleak first quarter for travel. The folks who run the Rocky Mountaineer trains in Canada, have announced a new overnight excursion between Denver and Moab, with an overnight in Glenwood Springs. A “preview season” of 40 departures is scheduled to commence in August, with fares starting at $1250.00 p.p./dbl.occ. Mark isn’t used to being “home for the holidays” and in a special Just One Man’s Opinion, he shares his thoughts and tips for those of you who might have a short automobile journey this Thanksgiving week. There’s also a Smarter Traveler Hawaii update and a cute story about how some Irish blokes got around the closing of the local pubs. Santa Claus will be coming to town soon. You can find him on the Magical Christmas Train. We have all the details. We’ll update you on the annual wreath laying project at the Sacramento Valley Cemetery, and tell you how you can help. Tom interviews rock-and-roll legend Jessie Colin Young and talks about his new album

In The Travel News, Delta says the “banned for no mask” list has reached 550. Air tickets and hotels for the Biden-Harris inauguration in January are in short supply and prices are climbing. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we share the story of travelers buying fake Covid test results and how you can avoid being a victim. Joe Brancatelli is a travel blogger/columnist and Mark is a big fan of his pay-to-read website, JoeSentMe.com. Joe has noticed that hotels are cutting Covid corners. They tell us it’s because of safety concerns. But is it more about cost-savings than the virus? Joe, Mark and Tom ended up in a lively conversation.

In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines tells a passenger she isn’t covering enough of her body, removed her from the plane and then relents, but only with a qualification. Is it fair? Key West, a small destination over run by cruise ships in the past three years, saw its residents vote to put serious limitations on who and how many can disembark in their city. Are they the first of many to tell cruise ships to sail on by? Our friend and Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott returns to discuss the challenges of travel during Covid, and when he thinks things might get back to normal. The hospitality industry has been crushed by Covid. Restaurant Cares helps those impacted, including restaurant employees. Find out how you can get involved and even win a $500 dine out card. In our final segment of the day, entertainment shines through. Tom has an exclusive interview with Al Pitrelli of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Covid means the annual Christmas concert at the arena won’t happen, but the orchestra is offering a way for you to hear them live. Tom has all the details on how to get tickets. Al says you can watch from home, in your pajamas in you want!

In the Travel News, by the numbers, airline travel is actually slowly increasing; Sasha Barron Cohen’s Borat character has delivered a new tourism slogan for Kazakhstan and the way you pay for parking at Sac International is changing just a bit. Our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on cruise ships. They are trying to get back into the water soon, and making some big promises about testing passengers and crew. Can they keep those promises. Ned Levi from Travelers United reports for us. The underwriter of our program, local tour operator Sports Leisure Vacations, held a Tour Preview Day and rolled out a 2021 catalog yesterday. Can you interest people in travel right now? Reporter Clayton Whitehead joins us for the discussion. Halloween was yesterday, so interest in ghosts and interest in ghost hunts and the paranormal is at its annual high. Tom caught up with Dave Schrader last week. Dave is promoting SEASON TWO of “THE HOLZER FILES,” which airs on The Travel Channel, Thursday nights at 11pm/ET/PT. The second season, comprised of 13 brand new one-hour episodes, follows the team on the haunted trail of legendary cases – from an elegant mansion in New York City, home to one of the world’s most infamous hauntings, to the historic Maryland tavern that hid John Wilkes Booth after he shot Abraham Lincoln.

In the Travel News, There aren’t nearly as many flights, but airfares for Christmas/New Year’s are down 20-30% because of Covid. But you need to consider buying your ticket soon. And it appears Carnival Cruise Lines faces more than just the virus as an obstacle to getting cruise lovers back at sea. Seems Carnival has a stack of environmental violations in recent years, including a rumor some of their ships have a secret pipe system, allowing ships to dump sewage and other waste in the ocean, without being detected. US officials want to inspect the ships and make sure the cruise line is using environmentally sound practices. Sounds like a story worth following. Our Smarter Traveler segment features Tom and Mark discussing Southwest’s announcement last week that they will no longer block the middle seat on flights, starting December 1st. Tom has been very conservative with his travels, and Mark travels for a living. Two very different angles. The second half of the program offers a special Cooking Class with Paulette Bruce. Mark joins Paulette in her home for the broadcast, with two dozen listeners also watching the simulcast on Zoom! at the same time. Paulette with be preparing an appetizer and a side dish you can use for your Thanksgiving table.

In the Travel News, you can visit Hawaii again. But, there are a few hoops you have to jump through. You need a negative Covid test, within 72 hours of departure. Two islands have additional optional testing provisions. You can find all the info here. Jet Blue brings back the Big Apple non-stops and we tell you one of the safest places you can be while traveling during Covid. Clue: On an airplane, if, and it’s a big if, if everyone is wearing a mask.

In the Travel News, Hawaii “thinks” it has a plan to welcome visitors without a two-week quarantine. They’ve been working on it for a long time. For details, click here. Hilton pilots are new plan for remote workers, “day use” rooms. Consumer confidence in travel is coming back, but our governor says it’s not time to open Disneyland and other major theme parks. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we have a little fun by sharing with you some of the most haunted sites in our United States. On our October 25th show, we will host a unique simo-cast event, a live Cooking Show. Broadcast on KFBK and Zoom! at the same time, local chef Paulette Bruce joins us and you can join her on Zoom! for the show. Go here to register and request The Cooking Show. We’ll send you a link and menus in advance. Gwen Duncan, our ace travel advisor, joins us to discuss gratuities on cruise ships. Have they gotten out of hand? How to you reduce or eliminate the size of your gratuity? Who gets the gratuities the ship adds to your bill automatically for your convenience.

In the Travel News, you plan head to Hawaii again, starting October 15, but Covid testing will be mandatory. United and Hawaiian have announced on site testing at SFO only to start. United’s instant test will be $250, Hawaiian’s is priced at $150. In Honolulu, drive through testing will be offered, and both airlines offer a less expensive non-instant testing option. Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks have reopened as the smoke situation has gotten better. Disneyland has not reopened yet and park management is getting antsy. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss the testing for travel situation. What if everyone’s temperature is taken as they enter the airport? What is the traveling public willing to accept to get the ok to fly. Travelers are staying closer to home. A great close-to-home destination is Berkeley. Home to the University of California, it’s a funky town, with lots of great places to shop and eat. Staycations, daytripping, nearcations, whatever you call them, we aren’t wandering far from home these days. When will that change?

In the Travel News, travelers desperate to go ANYWHERE are scooping up flights to NOWHERE, we tell you why it’s pretty hard to get COVID while flying and the airlines are all holding their collective breaths, hoping for more taxpayer money to avoid major layoffs. Our Smarter Traveler segment features information on what to buy and what NOT to buy: Why you should buy your holiday air tickets now, and why you should never buy jewelry on a cruise ship… We take you to Singapore, to meet a local author, Shivaji Ds. His latest book is “The ‘Other’ Shangri-La“. We talk about COVID travel trends. People really are staying closer to home, because many refuse to fly, at least for now.

In theTravel News, MGM Resorts in Las Vegas has a package to entice you to move your home office work into an MGM hotel room, at a pretty reasonable price. There’s an updated travel warning involving Mexico and Holland America is putting five ships on European itineraries in 2021. We make you a Smarter Traveler by discussing COVID courtesy. What’s appropriate has changed a bit, especially true if you are one of the few on the road right now. How do you greet someone, since hand shaking is not appropriate? What about tipping for take out and delivery food orders? Last week, Tom and Mark shared some of the history of Burning Man, the annual event in the Nevada desert, which was canceled this year due to COVID. We asked if anyone in our audience was there for one of the first “burns,” back in the 80’s, on Baker Beach in San Francisco. Guess what? We have one of the original Burning Man attendees, to give us a first hand memory of the gathering. Our guest is Gary Hogan, of Hawaiian Hotels. If that name sounds familiar to Hawaii travelers, it’s because the Hogan family owed and operated Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays for many years, taking hundreds of thousands of visitors to the islands each year The family sold the main business years ago, and kept a few hotels, including the legendary Royal Lahaina on Maui’s Kaanapali Coast. Gary and his family have a long Hawaii history, so he seems like the perfect man to discuss how the islands move forward on allowing visitors back to the islands.

Latest in travel news.

In the Travel News, a new 15-minute COVID test appears to be on its way to the market, and if so it would be a game changer for sure. Developed by Abbott Laboratories, it would allow on-the-spot testing for travelers. Cruise lines are already hedging their bets into 2021 with cancellations, and American Airlines touts a brand new corona virus disinfectant, but chemical experts are questioning its quick approval. We also have the latest Hawaii travel update. In our Smarter Traveler segment – The San Francisco Giants, known for their classy promotions, grounded into a double play with their offer from Alaska Airlines. They gave those who signed up 24 hours to buy reduced price tickets (which were not available at all on many prime dates). They made no mention of whether the tickets would be changeable or refundable without fees, as many airlines are doing. Note the Giants/Alaska Airlines extended this offer 24 hours at a time, 3 times last week. Perhaps the public wasn’t ready to buy tickets under those conditions. Mark talks about his 3-day trip to the greater Portland area this week. He has a hotel and a restaurant recommendation if you are headed that direction, along with some advice about seeing the local volcano. Travelers continue to ask, “when can we go to Hawaii?”. It’s a complicated question, further muddied by governmental leaders in the islands. We talk with Will Lydgate, of Lydgate Farms, creators of amazing Kauai Chocolate, about the situation. Will’s family has been on Kauai for many generations, and since his chocolate growing operation depends on farm tours and the people who take them, as part of their income, Will has been impacted. We’ll get the scoop straight from the islands. Finally, we have a treat for you. The Phoenix Choir in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has created a catchy “Covid” time, changing the lyrics of Billy Joel’s For the Longest Time. Hearing it is great, but the video below is well worth watching.

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.

In the travel news, the national parks are going to get a much needed makeover as the president signs a bill to provide nearly $10 billion in needed repairs and updates. And cruise lines push back their reopening plans once again. Updates next in the news… Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about the new twist to the covered face situation. Some coverings are not really effective and many airlines and soon airports are banning them. Plus we talk about some cool things to do in Mendocino County… COVID-19 has kept us all pretty much at home for the last 4-5 months. When all of this is over, or at least the “come out and play” signal is given, where will you go first. Could be a comfort spot close to home or a place far away. We ask our listeners to call and share.

In the Travel News, Disney is cutting the hours on its reopened parks in Florida, a Hyatt Hotel asks its guest for donations for keep the hotel afloat, and a survey shows how much flyers would pay to keep the middle seat open….just a warning to be careful what you wish for… In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark recaps a week-long road trip and comments on the behavior of travelers, good and bad. Carol Pucci is our Seattle check-in on the show, and she’s been writing about how to best approach that vacation by car or truck you are going to take during COVID. Steve LaRosa has the latest and perhaps the most challenging edition of What’s Goin’ On in and around Sacramento.

In the travel news, Hawaii is on the verge of creating a travel bubble….with Japan? It appears a significant number of people seeking refunds from the cruise lines for COVID-cancelled trips are having a hard time getting their money. The spectacle in the Nevada desert known as Burning Man won’t be held this summer, but a report on last summer’s gathering gives the clean up crews and participants high marks. How are vacation rentals different during COVID? Are they more or less popular than hotels? Ed Perkins, author and consumer advocate, joins us to discuss travel after COVID. Ed has been a part of the industry for a long time, and has seen a lot. We ask him where he sees travel going next. Should people start to make plans for next year, or continue to hunker down, or both. In the final segment, Tom turns the tables on Mark a bit. Mark owns a tour company and Tom asks “how do you survive COVID?

In the Travel News, Southwest says they will block middle seats through October; there will be no camel or ostrich races in Virginia City this year; and beware of the bears in Lassen National Park. In our Smarter Traveler segment, tips on doing laundry on the road. Not an exciting subject, but if you run out of an essential garment or two away from home, we might have an idea or two to help you out. One of our most popular features is The Mailbag. It’s when Mark answers questions sent to travelguysradio.com live on the air. He tries to answer your inquiries individually, and shares the best ones with our audience. As you might guess, a lot of questions about when and where to travel are on a lot of minds. Listeners also reacted to the Timeshare feature last week and wonder when airlines might offer something resembling the schedules they had pre-COVID.

In the Travel News, cruise ships are reducing the size of their fleets as the “no cruise” date is extended; and it’s a bad week for parades, as the Rose and the Mummer’s annual festivities are both cancelled, and visitors planning on heading to Hawaii anytime soon are advised to check the ever-changing travel rules. In the Smarter Traveler segment, Mark decries the rise in add-on charges in home vacation rentals, including some you won’t believe. It’s time for the buyer to beware. Chris Elliott joins us to talk timeshares. How can you get out of one during the pandemic? If time permits, Mark digs into the mailbag and answers your questions about travel.

In theTravel/Entertainment News, Broadway Sacramento received a wonderful honor from the American Council for the Blind. The Achievement in Audio Description Award was given for outstanding work in providing patrons with vision loss audio descriptions and hands-on tactile pre show presentations at all Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento performances. Congratulations to Richard Lewis and his gang. Catch KFBK’s Kitty O’Neal’s interviews with the ACB and Richard here. The major US airlines are restricted by the terms of the loans they received from taxpayers from cutting staff until October 1st. Many are expecting a blood bath that day, with perhaps as many as 100,000 airline employees, including thousands of pilots, being given their walking papers. Joe Brancatelli joins us to share his views on what’s coming next from the airlines. Chris Elliott, the man behind the consumer web site, Elliott.org, was stuck in France this spring at the heart of the pandemic with his family. At the time, he shared some of the situations they encountered. Now, Chris and his three children are back in the states (Reno) and once again find themselves in the middle of a virus outbreak. So what are the differences between how the two countries handled the situation. Chris shares the good and the bad with us. We take you to , on the latest of our regional road trips. From trains to ocean waves and great wine, Mendocino has a lot to offer, just a half day’s drive away.

In the Travel News, the list of places you can’t travel to without a test or a quarantine on arrival is growing. Europeans returned our “don’t come here” policy, by instituting a travel ban for arrivals from the states. Broadway is dark until the first of the year, Cirque du Soleil has applied for bankruptcy protection. The list is getting longer. You check into your hotel and go to your room. The key won’t open the door, so you go back to the front desk. “You must have put the key in the pocket with your phone…” So we answer the age old question…and make you a smarter traveler…Can your cell phone demagnetize your room key? Just One Man’s Opinion sheds some insight. The major airlines are going to try pre-boarding health screenings to try and make us safer when flying. Will it help, or is it just an exercise in futility? Many travelers are staying closer to home this summer. Luckily, in central California we have a lot of cool choices. Join us on a visit to Tuolumne County, gateway to Yosemite and discover a few of them.

Washington State is the latest to require travelers to wear a mask, Hawaii announces a date for arrivals to resume and Princess will headquarter two ships in The Golden State next year… In the Smarter Traveler segment, Mark asks if it’s ok with you that American and United Airlines are selling your travel and web records for billions of dollars, via loans secured by their frequent flyer programs. And we look info all the concerts and events that have been canceled. Where are the refunds? The second half of the show features a travel round table with Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel. Gwen is an avid cruiser and we discuss when she might next get on the open seas

Ocean going cruises have been canceled through September 30. Except one cruise line says they are sailing to Alaska in September. Starting September 1st. Except Alaska has a 14-day quarantine. So who is right? Airlines have found a way to get everyone to mask up on board. No mask, you don’t fly. Not just today, you don’t fly on that airline again EVER. And it’s working… It’s our outdoors show, as we give you tips on what camping is like in the age of COVID, how you can rent an RV and take the Great American Road trip. Did you know you can get your RV DELIVERED to the campground? That’s what we are talkin’ about…. We are the Travel AND entertainment guys…and we have a special treat. A former member of the band Chicago has co-written a great song perfect for Covid times. It makes its Sacramento debut on our show! “Everything is Gonna Work Out Fine.“

In the Travel News, Hawaii extends their 14 day arrival quarantine until the end of July, Disneyland will reopen July 17th and we discuss how hotel breakfasts are changing in these “the buffet is gone” virus days. Mark made a trip to Seattle this past week, to scout tour destinations and restaurants. He shares some tips if you are thinking of traveling soon, as in take more than one mask and some other things you might not have thought of. The airline/airport number tell us more of you are getting on planes. Chris Hart, our Northern California train man, checks in to tell us about the new rail cars in Sacramento. FINALLY, something new and fun to do this summer! We change gears in an extended final segment of the show as we welcome Alex Temblador. Alex penned an article for the times, about where racism lurks in the travel industry and what the industry can do to fight back. She joins us for a candid discussion.

In the Travel News, Delta Airlines says they will guarantee a blocked middle seat through September, and Alaska keeps changing its mind about how to handle COVID and tourism arrivals in a state having a summer without cruise ships. Speaking of states making traveler arrival decisions, Hawaii is trying to decide when to open for business. Our guests, the hosts of www.beatofhawaii.com, share their insights and tell us about their favorite place on their home island of Kauai. (By the way, their site is a terrific place to get updates on Hawaii travel and culture.) Not many people are traveling these days. So what are airport and planes like? Reporter Chris Galloway has the scoop, based on his own experiences this past week. Sid Thrift and Dale Hanna, our local TSA men, join us to talk about how security is (and isn’t) different, during the pandemic.

In the Travel News, restaurants and tourism attractions are opening all over the country, and some of us hold our collective breaths. Las Vegas casinos are rolling the dice, and we get an update on when the lights might be back on Broadway. The TSA has made some changes to how you’ll pass through security at the airport. No more handing your boarding pass to the TSA staff, among other changes. But missing from the new security list is temperature monitoring, which many people expected to be part of the new procedures. (We will have Sid Thrift and Dale Hanna, our local TSA guys, on with us next Sunday to discuss the changes.) Theater companies all over the country are out of business for the summer. Some are getting very creative on giving you virtual performances. We highlight two today: The Transcendence Theater Company in Sonoma is offering concerts from ten years of Broadway shows under the stars (donations); and Broadway itself is offering you the chance to see the premiere of a new show, “Allegiance,“starring George Takei, premieres Friday night and you can watch it ($15 charge). Just One Man’s Opinion highlights Memorial Day and why it’s important right now to acknowledge its meaning.

In the Travel News, the Department of Transportation reports complaints against airlines have skyrocketed (maybe something to do with offering people vouchers instead of refunds); restaurants are getting very creative in a post-stay-at-home world and the Grand Canyon reopens on a limited basis… Mark renews a segment from his first radio life (sports talk in the 90’s) called Just One Man’s Opinion, and weighs in on cruise ships who flag themselves in other countries to avoid taxes and regulation, then come crying home of our government when something like COVID happens. Plus, we make you a Smarter Traveler by talking about the importance of checking on what’s open and what’s not before setting out on your next trip. Richard Lewis, President and CEO of Broadway Sacramento, is our guest. Richard’s father was one of two partners in the original Music Circus, way back in 1951. As performances are canceled and we see a summer without Music Circus, we talk to Richard about what comes next. It is a true Sacramento story, and we give Richard plenty of time to share it with you.

Delta drops 10 cities from its route map, Norwegian Cruise Line raises $2 billion to help avoid bankruptcy and Frontier Airlines gives the Sleazy Airline Award of the Year for offering to “sell” you the middle seat for $39. That’s the same middle seat that likely would have been empty. Oh, and did they mention they were going to sell that same empty seat to both the window and aisle passengers? Makes you want to run right out and buy a ticket on Frontier. What nice people they are… Travelers United is an organization which advocates for travelers, mostly in the Washington, DC, arena. We invited Charlie Leocha, President and Co-founder, to talk with us about airline refund policies and other virus-related traveler questions. Since it’s Mother’s Day, we invite you to call in and share your favorite story of travel with mom. Your mom, someone else’s mom, the lady who cared for you like a mother, your in-law. Whomever you see as mom, share that once in a lifetime trip you took.

We have the winners of the annual Freddie Awards, voted on by travelers, the show honors the best in customers service, award/reward programs and promotions, all voted on by travelers themselves. For a complete list of winners, go here. As economies begin to open up state by state, people may consider traveling again. In our Smarter Traveler segment we ask the question, besides cabin fever, what will get people back on the road, on airplanes, in hotel rooms, into theme parks, movie theaters and ballparks? Last week, we talked with our favorite Travel Advisor, Gwen Duncan, about how COVID-19 is impacting her business and how she is adjusting. After the interview was over, Tom left the tape running and he thought our audience would enjoy some of our “off the record” thoughts. Co-host Mark Hoffmann, is the owner of Sports Leisure Vacations, the underwriter of The Travel Guys. Tom talks with Mark about being a tour operator in the middle of the greatest global health crisis in a century.

The last cruise ship left on the oceans has finally finished its travels; and perhaps you heard the ranting by the mayor of Las Vegas last week. She may have “crapped out” with her comments… Bob Simms, the outdoor expert at KFBK, joins us to talk about where you can fish or take out your boat right now. Options are limited as trout season gets underway in some California counties. Chris Elliott continues to be quarantined in Nice, France. He joins us live to talk about the strict lock down in France and how it’s working. Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel stops in to tell us how the virus is impacting retail travel and we get Gwen’s thoughts on what normal might look like when travel resumes.

Most airlines are now guaranteeing an open middle seat, if you are flying to Canada you MUST wear a face mask and the Spy Museum is offering Spy Classes for kids online, perhaps the coolest idea in History! Plus, we tell you about a host of virtual travel videos (find many of the links on the show list). Travel bargains will abound soon. Will they be legit? Will the property even be open by the time you get there (some hotels/resorts are not going to survive)? We give you some hints on how to sort out the great values from the rip-offs. Restaurants have been hit hard by Covid-19. Most workers are without a job, some have been hit by the virus itself. Restaurants Care is trying to help their community. We tell you how you can help as we are joined by the Executive Director of the California Restaurant Association, Alycia Harshfield. We close the show taking listener calls. What is the number one destination on your Bucket List? If you could go anywhere on the planet, where would it be?

Air travel is off 95% in the US, Nevada casinos will stay closed through April and we talk about the many state-to-state travel restrictions. Would you believe cruise bookings for 2021 are actually UP from last year? A group of senators is pressuring the airlines to follow the rules and offer passengers on canceled flights cash refunds. What is one of the “germiest” things you touch when you travel? Perhaps your suitcase. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how you can clean up that germ-carrying suitcase or carry on. The underwriter of the program is Sports Leisure Vacations. We offer a short update especially for these travelers at 3:20. The governor of Hawaii is quarantining inbound leisure travelers entering Hawaii for 14 days. Seems that would pretty much put an end to the tourism economy. We talk to Will Lydgate of Lydgate Farms on the island of Kauai. Will tells us what his island is like when the tourists suddenly disappear. The money left with them, and that’s a problem for some, but what is the upside (besides the lack of traffic). Is there one?

The Port of Seattle says the Alaska cruise season is postponed indefinitely; Disney says the same for their theme parks, and a survey tells us when you might be ready to travel once the “all clear” signal is given. If you are a resident of California and you buy a travel package from a vendor, you are protected by the California Seller of Travel Law. What is it, why is it important and how does it protect you? Learn more in our Smarter Traveler segment. With the Corona virus knocking travel down for a ten count, we have live reports from both sides of the country. Colman O’Reilly joins us from New York City. Colman is a first responder and a tour guide in The Big Apple, and shares his take from those two perspectives. Carol Pucci is former writer and Travel Wise columnist at the Seattle Times. She tells us about life right now in Seattle. Finally, Gwen Duncan, our local Travel Advisor, updates us on the life and times of her profession, in light of a global pandemic.

The Corona Virus is on the minds of everyone in the travel industry. Whether you work in travel or tourism, or you have travel scheduled soon or are just dreaming of a getaway, everyone is concerned about the virus. United Airlines tells its flight attendants to please not have fun by climbing into the luggage bins and taking pictures; and France tells Uber exactly what California did: your drivers are employees… we’ll talk about the shared air on planes….is it safe? How about a few tips on how NOT to touch things with your hands while traveling? Plus, a run down on the cruise lines new cancellation policies. What are the cruise lines, airlines and other travel industry businesses doing about cancellation fees and charges? Are they giving consumers a break, or not? We run down the latest polices and give you the best wisdom on “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance. Thomas Cook, nearly 200 years ago, separated travelers into four groups. Friend of The Travel Guys Shebby Lee from the Black Hills joins us to talk about Types of Travelers and gives a few tips on when to visit the Land of Rushmore and Crazy Horse.

There is relief coming on the Real ID situation. You can now complete some of the process online. United Airlines has joined Jet Blue is raising checked bag fees by $5. Expect the other carriers to follow quickly. We also offer an update on the Corona Virus. We found a couple from New Zealand making a living as house sitters. Haunting in the Heartland is a new Travel Channel series which premieres this last week. Tom has the show’s star to talk about the show and his own colorful lifestyle. * Mark is in Hawaii traveling with a group, and shares some of his recommendations for accommodations, things to do and places to eat in the islands.

A new bill in Congress might mean another step towards the end of resort/destination fees at hotels; and Chinese travelers have stopped coming. What does that mean for the businesses who catered to them? Once a year we dedicate a program to interviews gathered at the New York Times Travel Show. With an attendance of over 30,000 in three days, it is the largest show for travelers in the country.

Harrah’s Reno, the original downtown club (started as a bingo parlor in 1937) was sold by Caesar’s for $50 million dollars. Jet Blue has raised the price of baggage fees by $5 to $35 bucks for your first bag. Now it’s probably just a matter of a few days until the other carriers join them at that level. A “Love Letter to Spirit Airlines” from one of their flyers.The Last Ship, starring Sting, will arrive in San Francisco in just a few weeks. We have Sting”s co-star, Oliver Savile, with us to talk about the show. When people need help from a consumer advocate with a travel problem or issue, do they always tell a truthful story. Or do they fudge just a little bit sometimes. We ask Chris Elliott the question and his answer probably won’t surprise you.

In the Travel News, Delta employees say their new Lands End uniforms are making them sick, a study of facial recognition sends up some alarms (Asian and African American travelers are misidentified far more often) and the organizers of Burning Man are suing the government for jacking up their permit prices for the annual event in the desert. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we address the issue, “Can you get a refund for your ticket if your airline goes out of business? What if your flight is canceled? Does the airline HAVE to give you your money back, or can they give you a voucher for a future flight?” The answers are yes, if your airline is out of business; and yes again, you can insist on cash if your flight is canceled. Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel, Clayton Whitehead of Sports Leisure Vacations, and Ed Perkins, longtime travel journalist; all join us for Travel Roundtable. Our topics are how travel changed in the last decade, and what changes might be awaiting us in the next ten years. Uber and Lyft and selfies and Instagram and Facebook all came of age with travelers in the last decade. Plus, discounted long distance airlines came and went, we now pay for our chosen seats on planes and a whole lot more.

Carnival says you cannot wear offensive apparel on board its ships any longer; and our Sacramento airport offers some tips for holiday travel, including checking Facebook (@SacIntlAirport), Instragram (@Flysmf) and Twitter (@SacIntlAirport) for updates. Mark also tells listeners the stories on “juice jacking” at airports are mostly false alarms. At least so far. Non-refundable rates on hotel rooms on websites have become the new “basic economy” of accommodations. Reducing our carbon footprint to slow global warming is a topic of importance to many travelers. Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott joins us (www.elliott.org) to talk about first baby steps some major companies are taking to respond. The town of Santa Claus, Indiana, is a small, midwestern city. But as you might suspect by its name, it does become a special place every holiday season. We go to Santa Claus to learn about a project the townspeople volunteer for every year, answering children’s letters to Santa Claus.

Super Shuttle, the original airport ride share, is a casualty of the ride sharing movement, we tell you which destinations have been searched the most often on the web this year… In the back half of the show, it’s a Travel Guys Christmas. Call in and share your best travel tip and get rewarded with a travel gift for the holidays.