Episode: Travel News, Media Myths, and Industry Insights
Hi, I'm Mark Murphy, and this is TravelTube.com. This week, you get just me talking about the latest travel news and my take on it, including some persistent fake news that keeps resurfacing. TravelTube.com is the platform that features travel advisors, their insights, and product reviews.
So what's happened over the last couple of weeks? Let's dive in.
Airport Security Updates: Shoes-On Policy Rolling Out
Good news for travelers: you can now keep your shoes on when going through airport security lines in many locations. It's rolling out gradually—not everywhere yet—but it's progress. They're also introducing family travel lanes to expedite the process for different types of travelers.
This shoe removal policy originated from an attempted shoe bombing at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris around 2002-2003, which led to the U.S. requirement for everyone to remove shoes starting in 2005. That's been going on for 20 years now.
Here's what's always frustrated me: if you flew back from Mexico or many international airports into the U.S., you never had to remove your shoes, even though the original threat came from someone entering the U.S. from outside. It was bureaucratic overreach applied inconsistently.
The technology excuse they're giving now? The technology was always sufficient. This was simply a poorly thought-out policy, much like the claim that your iPhone will disrupt the plane's electronics. I've talked to pilots—private and commercial—and they all have iPads and phones in the cockpit and not one has ever expressed any issue with these devices.
The Problem with Travel "Fake News"
Most travel news is sensationalized or outright misleading. Here's why: when travel makes headlines, it's usually bad news. Modern journalism often involves one outlet covering a story, then hundreds or thousands of others picking it up without proper sourcing or fact-checking.
Case Study: The Dominican Republic Scare
A perfect example just resurfaced in March 2025—an article about an Ontario man who went into a coma after a Dominican Republic resort stay, with "fake alcohol suspected." This story references debunked claims from 2019 that devastated Dominican Republic tourism, causing up to a 90% drop in U.S. travel to the DR.
The 2019 stories involved multiple properties owned by different companies from different countries (Mexico, Spain, and the DR), located hours apart, with different staff. The idea that some coordinated poisoning targeted only Americans was always implausible.
These articles continue to reference Fox News and CNN stories from 2019 about incidents that were later explained by pre-existing medical conditions. For example, one woman who died had been under cardiologist care for over a decade and suffered a heart attack—her husband was a doctor and witnessed the incident.
Important reality check: People die on vacation. They die on airplanes, cruise ships, and from accidents every day. When people do die from tainted alcohol abroad, it's typically locals consuming unregulated moonshine-type products, not tourists drinking from resort mini-bars.
Travel tip: Don't drink anything handed to you by street vendors claiming it's a "famous local drink," but resort alcohol from reputable properties is safe.
Los Angeles vs. Airbnb: Missing the Point
LA is suing Airbnb for price gouging after the fires that destroyed around 12,000 homes in the Pacific Palisades area. Here's the irony: LA officials who have issued only about 60 rebuilding permits six months after the disaster are blaming Airbnb for supply and demand pricing.
Airbnb doesn't own properties—they're a booking platform. They take a commission and connect hosts with guests. The city's anti-gouging law limits price increases to 10% during emergencies, but this ignores basic economic principles of supply and demand.
And it appears that Airbnb, the target of the lawsuit, has done more for Los Angeles than the so-called 'leaders'. According to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, the company has contributed almost $30 million to fire recovery efforts, including free emergency housing for nearly 24,000 people and a $16 million donation to Habitat for Humanity. Meanwhile, the city struggles with basic permit processing.
This is classic political deflection—blame a private company for a problem created by government incompetence.
Portland Airport Construction Chaos
Speaking of government incompetence, Portland International Airport (PDX) scheduled construction that blocked airport access until 8 AM on a weekday—one of the busiest travel periods. Business travelers, who typically fly early morning during weekdays, were trapped in traffic.
People literally abandoned ride-shares and ran over a mile to reach the airport. The timing shows a complete disconnect from understanding travel patterns and common sense scheduling.
Flight Delays: Understanding the Domino Effect
When your flight is delayed, despite perfect weather at your origin and destination, check where your plane is coming from. Airlines apps and FlightAware let you track this.
If your plane is coming from Miami and there are thunderstorms there, ground crews can't load luggage during lightning, creating ground stops. This affects the entire system regardless of weather elsewhere.
The crew factor: If delays exceed a couple hours, crew time restrictions kick in. Post-COVID pilot shortages, early retirements, and vaccine mandate departures have created ongoing staffing challenges.
Winter travel tip: Avoid connections through airports prone to severe weather. Book nonstop flights when possible, or connect through airports less likely to experience seasonal disruptions.
Travel Agent Value Proposition
A good travel advisor knows these operational realities and can help you avoid problems. They have access to:
Example: My nephew is using a travel agent for his Hawaii honeymoon but booking his own Jersey Shore rental. The complexity and stakes are completely different.
Passenger Behavior and Travel Reality
Air travel today includes more disruptive passenger incidents. The key rule: comply with crew instructions immediately. Flight crews have final authority, and arguing never helps.
Flight attendants deal with remarkable questions and situations:
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Final Thoughts
The travel industry is complex, and misinformation spreads quickly. Whether it's understanding flight operations, avoiding media hype about destinations, or navigating government incompetence, having knowledgeable guidance makes a difference.
Use travel professionals for complex trips, download the MyTSA app for security wait times, and always check where your plane is coming from before heading to the airport.
Thanks for joining me this week. Sign up for our newsletter at TravelTube.com, and I'll see you next week.
This transcript has been edited for clarity and flow while preserving the host's perspective and key information.
