Backing up your assumption and kyle's comment, for the behavior you're describing (skipping pod coverage tests, etc.), the current recommended practice is to check an environment variable, specifically $ENV{RELEASE_TESTING} and skip_all() based on whether it's true/false. I say 'current recommended practice' because there is no real standard, AFAIK.

I used to use $ENV{AUTHOR_TESTING} in my distributions but $ENV{RELEASE_TESTING} is the hot new thing decided upon during the Oslo QA Hackathon.

Update: For quick .t examples, see the Oslo QA Hackathon 2008/Achievements wiki page.