Mark Murphy breaks down everything happening in travel right now — and doesn't hold back.

This week: TSA lines are actually getting shorter (here's proof), ICE deployed to airports and what's really going on, the San Francisco arrest the media misrepresented, Delta tells Congress to get in line like everyone else, United's new Relax Row seating, the LaGuardia crash op-ed that missed the mark, Chicago's new 19% hotel tax and what it means for tourism, and the British grandmother story The Guardian ran without mentioning the most important facts.

If you're a traveler, a travel agent, or anyone who's tired of getting half the story — this one's for you.

🎙️ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app | Follow us on social | TravelTube.com

#Travel #TravelNews #TSA #AirportLines #TravelAgents #TravelTube

The government shutdown has hit 30 days — and now TSA no-call rates are hitting 50% in Houston and 30% in New Orleans. Mark breaks down who's to blame, what it means for your next flight, and what you can do about it. Plus: will rising oil prices spike your airfare? (Hint: it depends on who's hedged.) Then — AI won't kill travel agents, and here's why the internet didn't either. And finally, Mark fires back at TikTok commenters defending Las Vegas prices: three meals and one drink for two people = $400. The math doesn't lie.

Fresh off a weekend wedding in Pennsylvania, we're diving into one of our favorite topics: making travel work for your life and your budget. Whether you're hitting the road in an RV, checking into a classic resort, or setting sail on a river cruise, there's never been more creative ways to explore the world.

We kick things off with a look at the rise of short, close-to-home getaways — a trend that's been building for decades and exploded during and after COVID. Think of them as reset buttons: quick escapes that shake off the stress of everyday life without draining your bank account.

Speaking of road trips, we revisit the RV boom that took off during the pandemic and where things stand today. From personal experience navigating the Keys in a camper van to pulling up at the iconic Casa Marina in Key West, we share what RV and van travel actually looks like on the ground.

Then we shift gears to one of the fastest-growing segments in travel right now — river cruising. Why are more travelers choosing rivers over oceans? We break down the appeal and map out the possibilities, from the waterways of Europe, Africa, and Asia to right here in the USA — including a stunning Pacific Northwest route that traces the historic journey of Lewis and Clark.