Podcast #114 Uncut — The LoFi Video Version
I finally found a way to produce a video version of the podcast without a huge amount of post-production work. I put my GoPro camera on top of my Zoom H4n recorder and hit Record. Continue Reading →
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Podcast #114 — Public Transit to Airports, Requiem for SkyMall, Awful Winter Travel
Recorded at the JW Marriott in New Orleans together with a GoPro video capturing all the unedited bits. We go deep in a comparison of public transit and drive times to US airports, shed a tear for SkyMall magazine, and marvel at the stack of lost Android tablets at American Airlines’ ORD lost-and-found. We talk Continue Reading →
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Podcast #113 — 2014 was a Bad Year to Fly; Restaurants Go Local
Can frequent travelers just write off 2014? We all knew we were abused by the airlines with high prices and lousy service. I guess it’s somewhat comforting to know that analysis of 2014’s data proves us right. I’m not sure there’s much more we can do than enjoy the little things and hope 2015 is Continue Reading →
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Travel Tips — Holiday Airport Etiquette
Coming into the holiday travel season, every travel news outlet publishes their top travel tips. Rather than repeat the typical “pack light” and “give yourself extra time” nostrums, I decided to create an advice list of what’s really the problem during holiday travel — airport etiquette. The challenge of holiday travel isn’t necessarily the crowds; Continue Reading →
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Podcast #112 — Holiday Airport Etiquette; Travel Tax Pile-Up
Here’s a new episode to keep you occupied if you’re stuck in a line somewhere while traveling Thanksgiving week. There are tips for the non-frequent traveler on how to avoid major airport faux pas and a review of how travel taxes will soak you when you get to your destination. We also talk about a high-tech Continue Reading →
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Podcast #111 — Seatback Recline Wars; Craft Beer Tourism
I tried to hold back, but I just couldn’t. I have to finally weigh in on the seatback recline wars. I’m stunned at the number of people who convert a couple of inches of seat movement into some sort of Manichean morality play. From that you can probably guess where I come out on this. On Continue Reading →
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Podcast #110 — Regional Jets Ruining My Life; Visa Hassles
Even though the weather hasn’t been bad this summer, I’ve endured a rash of flight cancellations. Digging deeper, it’s been regional jets operated by small airline “partners” that’s causing me grief. Service to mid-sized cities has moved to regional jets, making travel to these cities more problematic. Traveling to China or India can catch US travelers Continue Reading →
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Podcast #109 — ‘Round the World in 8 Days; Beijing Mass Transit
Just when I’d reset my body clock after a trip to Beijing, I headed off for an 8-day around-the-world itinerary. It was 44 hours of flight time, setting a new personal record for stupid travel. I learned a few new things along the way — Singapore Air flight attendants get grumpy when you don’t let them Continue Reading →
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Podcast #108 — Worst Travel Experiences Ever
We look back on a brutal travel winter with stories about how driving instead of flying probably wasn’t the best idea, and a completely awful United flight that ended up with a drive — but not by choice. I also talk about my recent trip to Beijing, China and my plans for a round-the-world-in-8-days itinerary Continue Reading →
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Podcast #107 — Serious About Hotel Reviews; TSA Gets Something Right!
Brushing aside the cobwebs to make my way back into the TravelCommons studios, we talk about the growing importance of TripAdvisor hotel reviews and the checklist I walk through when writing a review. I also continue to gush about the TSA’s PreCheck program, even if this autumn’s rapid expansion seems a bit rough-&-ready at times. Continue Reading →