We're all over the podcast map today. I tackle songwriting rules while trying and failing to plan my kid's birthday party. In news, we take on the demise of the Airbus 380, drunk passengers and cameras in your personal space on-board. Plus Ryan discovers a trip-planning site that we both seem to like (so far).

With so much to talk about we had to sort of force our way into the podcast room. Again, we're sans guest but I found some great places to talk about after my yearly trek to the New York Times Travel show. Plus, some really good news about an airport hotel that'll be a destination itself that's taking it's first reservation soon and a couple of big US airlines are getting new, tiny planes.

Rocking my sick voice, I tell you about my experience signing up for Clear and when I think it's a great deal. Plus, we found a great way to use your Amex airline reimbursement perk(that is, if you chose the right airline) via @monkeymiles blog. We also chat about the final air-related events leading up to the end of the US government shutdown. Then, I drone on about my trip to Florida with a great booze/coffee recommendation and a beach tip.

We're all over the place with a new lounge at LAX, some new routes from BNA and what MIA is doing during the government shutdown. Plus, it just occurred to us to pick our favorite moments and places of 2018. Listen now!:

Get ready to hear Anthony get SO bored, he forgets there's a podcast happening. I maintain that he was missing out because there's news about #PumpRules star Brittany Taylor getting into a sticky situation aboard a Delta flight and I relay the news about a possible food discount for United Premier members. Plus, we lay out our own possible travel plans for 2019. Listen:

Headlines have bad news for economy flyers who like to choose their seat ahead of time and good news if you're taking the train to the airport in Paris. Plus, our pal Bryan Apple is back to tell us how he was able to make a solid vacation out of his recent visit to France amidst turmoil and tragedy in the region.

Rainbow Village may be the most Instagrammable spot in Taiwan. We chat about and point to something we read about it's artist and single inhabitant, Grandpa Rainbow. Plus United starts selling new Premium Plus seats on long-haul flights starting in March 2019 and new Centurion Loungs are coming! Plus, Jake details his 15 hour visit to Hong Kong for #platinumchallenge on United for 2018. Listen now:

Jake and Anthony talk about how music gives them the feels before talking in a disturbing manner about Delta's new face recognition technology and a popular nuclear tourist destination. Also, we'll chat about new gates opening at New York LaGuardia and preview Jake's 15 hour stop in Hong Kong.

We can't get enough Thailand. This pod, We get insider info from Thai Celebrity Hotelier Tu Issara and his take on the current state of Tourism in the country (particularly Phuket). Plus there's news! Boracay Island in the Philippines re-opens cleaner and quieter than before. An unusual but heroic good deed aboard a Philippines Airlines flight is praised by many...and us. Finally, we circle back home to find out that roughly 4,800 Wall Street Journal readers love domestic airports in the wrong order.

There's some travel news up front including a new Amex card for business that's somehow both awesome and lame. Later, Jake's list of between one and three things to do if you've got 10 minutes in Burlington,VT. Somehow, we then spiral into a couple of stories about confidence and how to lose it...fast.