All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.

On November 9, 1906, President Teddy Roosevelt set off on the very first presidential trip abroad to Panama - where he inspected the construction of the famous canal that connects the East to the West.

Today, President Obama departed for Asia on his eighth trip abroad this year. His first stop is Tokyo, where he's hoping to repair strained ties with a longtime ally.

The new Japanese leaders will greet him with konichiwas and bows and a few raised eyebrows. A feud over a military base in Okinawa is a symptom of a much larger problem - that Japan and the United States may be drifting apart on some significant policy matters.

A new political party controls Japan for the first time in 50 years, and along with that change will come some growing pains - but Japan's friendship is critical to U.S. strategy in Asia.

Rather than a canal, perhaps President Obama can repair a bridge that has joined the two nations since the end of World War Two.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

Katie's off today. I'm Bianca Solorzano.

You know how it is: you buy an airline ticket, pay the checked baggage fee and the extra charge for an aisle seat, and maybe even the new surcharge for flying on the busiest days.

All you really want is to get there on time.

Well, a report out today from the Brookings Institute finds the average flight delay is nearly an hour - and ten percent of all planes arrive at least two hours behind schedule.

Only four percent were that late in 1990, and they say it will only get worse as the economy improves and more people fly again.

The researchers blame too many short flights and an outdated air traffic control system. They say the government could ease the situation by investing in high speed trains - and new technology that would allow planes to fly closer together.

These are not quick fixes.

So, for now, get used to waiting. And hope the airlines don't start charging you an on-time arrival fee.

I'm Bianca Solorzano, CBS News.

>Rob Hendin is the White House producer for the CBS Evening News

Traveling with the White House has its share or perks and random occurrences. Yesterday, we spent the three hours waiting for President Obama's press conference with Russian President Medvedev, admiring the opulent gold-leaf filled rooms of the Kremlin.

This morning, as we sat waiting for the President's arrival at the New Economic School of Moscow where he was speaking, we saw former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev and his entourage enjoying a cup of coffee. Gorbachev, who was there to meet with President Obama, declined our request for a quick chat, citing a sore throat.

But there's more to these trips than the perks of international travel.

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It’s impossible to examine the life of Theodore Roosevelt and not feel a certain degree of envy. The man was so prodigious in his pursuits and accomplishments it humbles everyone who comes close.

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It can be a pleasure to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends, getting there, though, isn't half the fun.

Today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. AAA says 41 million Americans will be away this weekend. And at times, it may seem like they're all heading in the same direction.

Although gas costs $1 a gallon less than it did last thanksgiving, air fares are higher. So are car-rental rates ... and the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

But while there is a slight drop in travel since last year, most Americans won't let the tough economy stop them. Tradition and time with family are simply too important.

We'll endure the traffic jams and delays to get to get to mom's house or grandmother's, where the aroma of turkey fills every room and the pumpkin pie is always perfect. It will all be worth it. At least until it's time to head home. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Nowadays, air travel comes with a lot of baggage.

First, there's the security line where you'll stand in stocking feet, stressing over whether your moisturizer will hit the contraband can.

Hope you brought a good book. Last year, delays accounted for 20 percent of all airline flight time, and cost the nation $41 billion.

For the rest of my Notebook, just click the monitor.

It's been a trying year for air travelers — and for the airline industry. But the transportation department announced a two-year deal with the airlines to limit the amount of flights at New York City airports.

Click on the video player at left to see Bill Plante preview the CBS Evening News.

From Washington, Nancy Cordes has a First Look at her report for tonight's Evening News on what's causing all those air traffic delays.

Click the video link for more.

With Katie away, Russ Mitchell fills in at the anchor desk, and at First Look.

He previews tonight's CBS Evening News, with an assist from Correspondent Nancy Cordes.

Just click the monitor to see what's coming up.

What's it like to be on the road with the leader of the free world? CBS News Producer Kia Baskerville is letting us know, with an intriguing report filed over the weekend:

Traveling with the President of the United States is very exhausting and glamorous only to those who think so. But it's cool if you like long plane rides, choppers, motorcades, waiting – a lot of waiting – and running.

It may sound like I am whining, but it is an honor reserved for a select few.

President Bush is in the second of six full days of visiting five Latin American countries. The White House Press Corps took off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Thursday night. After a 9.5 hour flight we landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I have to admit I don't usually sleep on planes, but the flight was as smooth as butter. So I enjoyed the six hours of rest, knowing there wouldn't be another leg as long for the rest of our trip...

Curious? There's plenty more. Pour a second cup and enjoy.