The TravelCommons podcast is back on the East Coast in Boston. Recorded in the bathroom of the Residence Inn in Charlestown, I talk about the tight summer travel market, strategies for eating alone without looking like a loser, and more Classic Travel Stories — fun on Air Canada. Also, e-mail and audio comments from listeners. Here’s a direct link to the podcast file.

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This week’s TravelCommons podcast is an “odds-’n'-ends” podcast, following up on items from previous podcasts and answering questions from web boards and e-mails. I follow-up on last week’s Sean Penn sighting and read the reply I received from the TSA in response to my complaint about Chicago Midway airport. Responding to a topic request on the Podcast Alley comment board, I give my thoughts about frequent flier programs. Answering some e-mail questions, I describe my convoluted podcast recording workflow. Here’s a direct link to the podcast file.

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This week’s TravelCommons podcast comes from the East Coast — recorded in the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT. This week, I talk about recent experiences with rental cars, airport celebrity sightings, and my efforts to get out of my travel ruts. Here’s a direct link to the podcast file.

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This week’s TravelCommons podcast focuses on the good things about travel. Last week’s podcast seemed a bit negative, so I try to bring a bit of balance this week. Recorded in the LAX Westin, I stow the laptop for a night and walk the Manhattan Beach, CA pier, reflect on a rare window seat ride on a flight out of Phoenix, and read from a friend’s letter as he starts a new life in Sao Paulo. Here’s a direct link to the podcast file.

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