The Pilot Who Explores
There’s a moment just before takeoff when even the most seasoned travelers feel a twinge of anticipation. The engines spool up, the aircraft shudders slightly, and in mere seconds, you’re hurtling down the runway at hundreds of miles an hour, defying gravity itself. It’s exhilarating, and for some, just a little nerve-wracking. I get it. […]
Face it – your chances to fly in business class on the iconic 747-400 are pretty limited, and they’re only getting slimmer. So when I had the choice of flying in a brand new 787, A350, or a nearly-30 year old 747 from Europe to India… well, I think the title gives it away. Lufthansa […]
When an incredibly low fare from Santiago de Chile to Orlando via Houston on United’s newly retrofitted Boeing 767-300ER in Polaris class popped up, I could not resist splurging. As someone intimately familiar with the 763ER, I love both flying and being flown on it, even if they’re getting quite old. I’m also quite fond […]
What makes a job a job? I’ve often been asked, heard of, or read from people claiming that being a pilot seems like a boring job. After all, they ask, don’t you just turn on the autopilot and stare out of the window? While the answer is an emphatic yes, at least at times, there’s […]
As an airline pilot, I feel your middle seat pain – trust me. I’m a frequent passenger, especially on my almost weekly Washington DC to New York commute. Over the years and thousands of flights I’ve taken as a passenger, I’ve discovered the tricks and loopholes it takes to avoid middle seats – well, most […]
As an airline pilot living out of a suitcase, it’s an absolute necessity to pack well – whether it’s for work, pleasure, or both. Over the years, you learn to optimize what you take, while learning some tricks along the way. I’ve traveled on hundreds of work/business trips, ranging from 2-day to 19-day trips. I’ve […]
As an airline pilot constantly on the road, I can relate to how difficult it is to stay healthy while traveling. It’s really tough to build a good routine and maintain the same healthy habits that you do at home. What makes it worse is when your body clock isn’t aligned with whatever new time-zone […]
Traveling across time zones to distant places and dealing with jet lag is never fun – even for experienced flight crew that deal with it nearly every week. But over time, we find ways to cope with it. After all, we have no choice. In fact, as an international airline pilot, I’ve sometimes in a […]
Well, folks, we’re well underway towards a severe pilot shortage. We’re expecting a pretty bumpy ride, so make sure to fasten those seatbelts. Whether the recent delays and cancellations have impacted your travel plans yet or not, the pilot shortage has just made its arrival into your nearest airport. And it’s right on time for […]