The transportation industry can be a key indicator of how the overall U.S. economy is doing.

Are Americans planning and taking lengthy trips, either by air or in their cars? Are cargo shipments on the rise or leveling off? Freight and passenger trains are also important factors.

Formerly with Airline Weekly, Seth Kaplan is now transportation analyst for NPR’s Here and Now.

Kaplan joined The Show to talk about how many consumers are flying now that summer travel season is underway.

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