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Welcome to  Episode 112  of  The Journey Is the Reward!   This week, we're cleared for an eventful flight, featuring everything from passenger triumphs to professional pilot insights. First up, fasten your seatbelts for a  trip report  from listener Mark VanRamm. Despite hitting a bit of turbulence, Mark proves that a positive attitude is the best carry-on, navigating his travel woes with grac...

Welcome to  Episode 111  of  The Journey Is the Reward!   On this week's show, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome a true titan of the skies, soon-to-be Lifetime Global Services member,  Fozz Mahmud  of the  Dots, Lines, and Destinations  podcast. This man has more air miles than a commercial airline, and we can't wait to pick his brain. But before we ascend to that altitude, we've got some essen...

Welcome to Episode 110 of  The Journey Is the Reward ! This week, Brian and Micah have a great show lined up for you, featuring an insightful interview Micah recorded with our good friend,  Steven Ivey , a corporate pilot, plus a few other interesting tidbits. First up, Listener Sarah wrote in asking about the show’s updated introduction where Brian mentions flying over 6 million miles. She wants...

Welcome to Episode 109 of  The Journey Is The Reward !  We are generally much less offended than our email inbox suggests! This week are thrilled to welcome back the cartographic genius himself,  Eric the Mapmaker . But before we dive into Eric's latest adventures, we  had  to address a burning question from the email account – emphatically named  Imreallyoffended@yahoo.com . Then, Listener Mike h...

Welcome to Episode 108 of The Journey Is The Reward! This week, we're navigating some significant changes at United, shooting the Breeze with Micah, and as always, hearing from our incredible listeners. First up, Listener Melissa is asking for a much-anticipated health update from Micah – and yes, she might have playfully accused Brian of being a pain in Micah's butt!  Plus, Micah continues to unp...

On Episode 107 of The Journey Is The Reward, we once again get to talk with Momma Coleman, thanks to the limo services provided by Chef Kathy.   Sure, it doesn’t sound right at this point but it will make sense as you listen to the episode.   But before we get to the main event, Listener Matt has a follow-on question to my packing skills. Listener Lu wants to know about the $100 hamburger, as it r...

On Episode 106 of The Journey Is The Reward, our favorite aviation aficionados, Micah and Brian, are back, ready to pack for a trip and navigate the turbulent skies of memory lane.  First up, we've got a burning question from Listener, Lu! Did Qatar handle the unfortunate dead passenger situation with the grace and dignity they should have or were there areas for improvement. Then, it's time for s...

On Episode 105 of The Journey Is The Reward, Prepare for liftoff!  Your intrepid co-pilots, Brian and Micah, chart a course from the tarmac of Burbank to the stratosphere of Seattle. The mission of Brian? To attend the Seattle Aviation and Aerospace Bash, orchestrated by the stellar Isaac Alexander! But before achieving orbit, our flight crew tackles a query beamed in by Listener Lu. She wondered ...

Episode 104 of The Journey Is The Reward it’s time for a wild ride from pizza critiques to “Paradise” found! So buckle up, adventure junkies! First up, we're diving headfirst into the delicious drama of Listener Mark's pizza review. Turns out, Momma Coleman's taste buds were NOT impressed… for a second time.  Ouch! Guess not all pies are created equal.  Then, Micah drops a tech bombshell: the myth...

The cash back vs points rollercoaster ride is coming to an end on Episode 103!  Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Brian's wallet!   Angie is in agreement with Brian that points are much more valuable for people who travel over cash back. However, there are several places where Brian can improve his earning potential. In...

The rollercoaster ride on Episode 102 continues!  Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Micah’s wallet!  No, she is not going to pick pocket him but go over his credit card strategy and make recommendations on how he can improve his wallet Sadly, this is no question from Listener Lu this week because we have so much to discu...

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride on Episode 101!  Micah and Brian are joined by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into the travel hacking trenches! But hold on! Listener Lu’s epic question, demanding a look back at 100 shows – the biggest surprises, Brian's legendary journeys, the highs, the lows, and what they'd change – was just TOO juicy to rush! Consider...

On episode 100.5, Micah and Brian continue to play a bunch of recordings and read some listener feedback in the form of congratulations on reaching our 100th episode. There were simply too many for the 100th show. Then we get to hear from my former co-worker, Robert as he has an interesting quesiton about status and benefits. We play a poem written by Listener Melissa. We hear from a Plane Crazy D...

On episode 100, Micah and Brian play a bunch of recordings and read some listener feedback in the form of congratulations on reaching our 100th episode. But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our thoughts on Shake Shack being served on some Delta Airlines flights.  We keep the food conversation going with feedback from Mark van Raam as he provides more pizza suggestions in...

On episode 99, Micah and Brian take the time to answer one listener question.  Yes, it was that good of a question and it took us an entire show to answer it. But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our plans to visit with Steve and Grant in the Land Down Under from the podcast, Plane Crazy Down Under.  We also provide the correct date for the Sydney Marathon, August 31st. A...

On episode 98, Micah and Brian talk about the decision making process in booking his trip to Africa in September.  But first, we hear from Listener Hendrik. He comments on our "whining" about American's having to pay a fee to visit Europe. Then Listener Lu wants to know if we have heard about the Pan Am Experience and the extensive aviation collection of Anthony Toth.  For the main segment, Brian...

On episode 97, Micah and Brian continue our talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his recent trip to Italy on a new airline, Neos. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business since 2001. As there was so much to talk about, we dive right into the continuation of episode 96 and learn more about Eric and Bella's trip to Italy. Therefore, there is no listener mail or Listener Lu quest...

On episode 96, Micah and Brian talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his receint trip to Italy on a new airline, Neon. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business for a while. But first, we hear from Listener Mike who joins us from the Airplane Geeks podcast. Mike writes in and wants to know about Premium Economy seating and how they differ between airlines. (Check out this articl...

On episode 95, Micah and Brian talk about Brian's flight up to the capital of California, Sacramento. Well, actually the town of Lodi, but close enough.  But first, we hear from Eric the Mapmaker. Eric tells us about a translation app called DeepL. Sadly, there was no question from Listener Lu this episode.  For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk about flying out of Burbank airport. He was als...

On episode 94, Micah and Brian talk about Brian's media review flight on Aero from the Van Nuys, CA airport to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   But first, we hear from Listener Mike who tells us his tips on having a second wallet when he travels and what cards, including duplicates, he packs with him. Sadly, there was no question from Listener Lu this episode.  For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk...

On episode 93, Micah and Brian talk about the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach that didn't really happen.  Sadly, there was not any listener feedback or questions this episode. However, we did hear from Listener Lu. Listener Lu wants to know if we heard about the brawl on a Ryanair flight. Micah and I ask which one and talk about how some people don't know how to behave on flights.  Micah and Bria...

On episode 92, Micah and Brian talk about Brian's participation in the APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Expo) in Long Beach, California.   But first, we hear from Listener Eric who tells us that we were wrong about where the Flintstones visited. But Yogi Bear comes to the rescue. Then Listener Lu wants to know about gate lice and our thoughts on how American Airlines is introducing some new tech...

On episode 91, Micah and Brian continue their discussion of Brian's trip to Korea and return home via San Francisco.  But first, we hear from Listener Rich who writes to IAmReallyOffended@Yahoo.com. However, it turns out he really isn't offended. Listener Ernie also writes in and talks about the golf course at Pease Air Force Base. Then Listener Lu wants to know our thoughts on JetBlue's decision...

On episode 90, Brian seems to disagree with Micah on several items before they get into the main topic of the show... Brian's trip to Korea. But first, we hear from Listener Grant of the Plane Crazy Downunder Podcast as he talks about golf courses on air bases. Then Listener Caroline asks how she can make a onetime contribution to the show. (Brian replied to her but his email bounced! Sorry Caroli...

On episode 89, Micah and I talk about my road trip to some of the National Parks in the Western United States. But first, we hear from Listener Shannon, who is offended that she isn't offended??? There isn’t a Listener Lu segment this show so this gives us more time to jump into the main topic, my National Parks road trip. I call it a road trip but I was able to fly into Sioux Falls and meet up wi...