In the Travel News, the FAA has the results of the Southwest Airlines safety audit, and wildlife is dying out on Catalina island…without any concern from local residents.

The Canadian Transportation Agency, which regulates airlines, has a proposal to make airlines more responsible for delays north of the border. They are actually more expansive than EU Rule 261, which protect passengers in the event of long delays or cancellations. If something like that comes to Canada, is it possible protections for U.S. passengers could be coming?

Mileage and Mattress runs have been around as Frequent Flyer Program have existed. What are they and exactly why are they top of mind for many road warriors this time of year?

Our Odds and Ends bag includes a story on why some Americans are suddenly choosing less expensive hotel accommodations and what that might mean to the travel industry as a whole.

In the Travel News, Venice, the city that began charging visitors a surcharge to enter the city in 2024, is expanding the program next year; and we’ll tell you where Sacramento landed on a list of “Most Fun Cities.” You will be surprised at the answer.

For many years, European flyers have benefited from a plan which gives them refunds (EU Regulation 261) when an airline has a huge delay or cancels a flight (under certain conditions). It holds the airlines accountable when they are responsible. Now, the departing Biden administration has suggested a similar system in the U.S. We’ll talk about the concept. But know this – the airlines are already against it.

What if you had two or three small children and wanted to explore the planet? That’s exactly what Jessica Gee and her husband did. Then she wrote a book.  Stories of traveling with kiddos and tips on how to survive the effort highlight our interview with Jessica.

Odds & Ends include updates on two previous stories –  “pineapple dating” (on cruise ships) and “check-in chicken” (for airline flights), along with some Christmas gift ideas for the traveler in your life.