The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast

Part two is here, y’all! Mike is an exceptionally talented and fascinating individual. In addition to being an airline pilot, he and his brother Stefan run a cartoon series called Chicken Wings—featuring chickens that fly, though not in the way you'd expect. Mike also operates a retail store selling Chicken Wings merchandise and a variety of aviator-related items, such as patches, airplane models,...

Mike and I were sim partners during our upgrade training at SkyWest Airlines. His awesome Austrian accent and diverse background led to many captivating stories during training. Today, sit back and meet Mike as we catch up after training and jump into his aviation journey, beginning with helicopters and firefighting. ABOUT MIKE Mike's fascination with aviation dates back to his earliest memories....

In today's episode, I climb back on my soapbox to discuss an important issue: money. Stop wasting your money! While it’s easier said than done, many Americans live far beyond their means in a futile attempt to maintain appearances and project a superficial image of success. Stop! It’s not about making more money; if you have an unhealthy relationship with money, no amount will bring you financial...

Welcome back! This is the grand finale. We close out our conversation talking about non-rev travel, Vanessa’s icks with pilots which turns into a full blown conversations about Crew Resource Management (CRM) Let’s go! ABOUT VANESSA Vanessa is a passionate aviation enthusiast, she shares her journey from being a flight attendant for over five years to becoming a student pilot with dreams of flying...

Wow! Can I say I performed at the Sydney Opera House? Probably not, huh? Had me a little vacation in Australia and I can’t wait for you to listen to today’s episode. I catch up on some emails and reviews, which by the way, thank you thank you so much. What are you still doing reading this?? Go and download today’s episode and while you’re at it, download all of the episodes! EPISODE REFERENCES Tur...

Welcome back, nerds! Thank you for joining me today. In this episode, we talk about the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 schools to help you make the best choice for your needs. We also discuss the ethical dilemma of compromising values for career advancement, sharing our perspectives on integrity in the workplace. In our fast-paced industry, timing is crucial, but maintaining resilience i...

I'm thrilled about today's episode! Get ready for an intense showdown between United and SouthWest Airlines in an all-out jumpseat war. I'll dive into the gripping story of a FedEx crew's daring landing of a 767 in Turkey without its nose gear. Plus, a listener seeks advice on navigating the challenges of airline training. And don't miss out on my expert tips for acing your airline check ride, als...

Welcome to The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast! In today's episode, we explore how minority families can unknowingly impact our aspirations. Vanessa shares insights into the SkyWest Pathway program, offering a unique opportunity for non-pilot employees to ascend into the flight deck. Plus, we discuss the vital task of selecting the right flight instructor, uncovering the financial and personal co...

Hey there, feeling like life's got you in a rut? Well, let me tell you something – you've got way more power over your life than you give yourself credit for. In today's discussion, I’ll dig into a couple of real-life scenarios that might resonate with you. First up, imagine missing out on that big interview with United. Ouch, right? But here's the thing: it's not just bad luck or fate at play her...

What are some of Micah’s icks? Oh.. he’ll tell you alright. Once again, we talk about the Spirit furloughs and rumors surrounding the news. Which do you like better the 737 or the A320? Apparently I’m old… which is why I think the 737 is a better looking plane. I encourage my friend Victor to continue on his aviation journey despite his age and I finally reveal the reason Micah is my favorite spot...

Hold off on the crucifixions! I tip, I swear, but spare me the Mr. Pink nickname, alright? Today, buckle up for a riveting episode where I dive into the latest news, including hair-raising near-misses at three major airports. I'll arm you with crucial mitigation tactics to keep you off the danger radar. Plus, I'm dishing out advice to aspiring aviators and unraveling the mystery behind SkyWest's r...

In today's episode, I explore the current trend of airlines slowing their hiring processes and discuss why the challenges faced by some carriers won't necessarily impact the entire aviation industry. But if you're facing a furlough, what's your best course of action? Should you rely on unemployment benefits until your airline recalls you, or should you actively seek alternative employment? Do you...

I had so much fun talking with my friend Micah.  In this first part we catch up, talk about Micah’s student pilot journey and the differences between Part 61 and 141 flight training. We also have a little fun with aviation hot takes provided by one of our listeners! About Micah: Micah, a ramp lead for Alaska Airlines in Salt Lake City, UT, caught the aviation bug early on. As a kid in California,...

In today’s episode I answer one of my fellow Army Soldier’s questions.  He wants to make the right choice for his family so I give him some advice in picking the right airlines for them. Also, I tell you what my favorite mode of descent is in the E175 and finally I share some of my favorite overnights and… am I a “slam-clicker?” Come on in and find out! REACH OUT! Submit your questions or aviation...

Welcome to this special Eclipse episode; Manny’s in trouble with the Chief! Join me as I bring you up to speed on my latest adventures and take you backstage on a repo flight. Plus, I offer advice for those contemplating a career switch to aviation, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss out – come join the conversation! Oh… and yeah… I’ll tell you why I got in trouble at work. (Sigh...

Welcome to today's podcast episode, where I'll be tackling your questions, including strategies for dealing with a challenging captain. Additionally, I'll be offering an exclusive glimpse into my Upgrade Initial Operating Experience (UIOE) trips. We'll dive into why United Airlines opted to divert to Stewart International in New Jersey instead of its intended destination, Newark, amidst windy cond...

Welcome to the grand finale! It's time to delve into the technical aspects and witness Patrick's expertise in air traffic control. He details his use of equipment and tools at TRACON to ensure aircraft safety. We also explore controller training, staying current, and Patrick's role as an instructor guiding new hires through their initial experiences. Join us for this and more! About Patrick: Patri...

What an incredible journey it's been! In this episode, I dive into topics that truly ignite my excitement. Overflowing with enthusiasm, I couldn't resist recording this episode using my iPhone. I address listener questions, share encouraging reviews, and invite others to submit their own. For those eager to maximize their non-revenue benefits, this episode is a must-listen. Additionally, I offer m...

In this episode we continue the conversation from part 1. Patrick highlights the importance of perseverance. He also mentions how dynamic hiring and duty station placement is.  After all was said and done, Patrick ends up working in the most unlikely place, but falls deeply in love with his new duty station before eventually making it back to his native state of Utah. This and more in Part 2.  Let...

Pushing Tin! If you haven’t seen the movie, you gotta go watch it. Patrick never runs out of things to talk about. In this episode we start digging at the surface to get to know how Patrick got to where he is now. You want to find out how to become an air traffic controller? Then stay tuned! About Patrick: Patrick, an aviation enthusiast, photographer, and Air Traffic Controller, boasts nearly 17...

The Grand Finale with Rachel Mason. Rachel and I met serendipitously while I was on a long sit in Denver. I knew her as “Dolly Parkin” as she was a ramp controller in Denver.  When we finally met in person, I was starstruck! Listen to this series to learn about her story! About Rachel: Aviation fell into her lap, starting with Alaska Airlines. After about a year with AS, she craved more and applie...

This is part two of a three part series with Rachel Mason. Rachel and I met serendipitously while I was on a long sit in Denver. I knew her as “Dolly Parkin” as she was a ramp controller in Denver.  When we finally met in person, I was starstruck! Listen to this series to learn about her story! About Rachel: Aviation fell into her lap, starting with Alaska Airlines. After about a year with AS, she...

This is part one of a three part series with Rachel Mason. Rachel and I met serendipitously while I was on a long sit in Denver. I knew her as “Dolly Parkin” as she was a ramp controller in Denver.  When we finally met in person, I was starstruck! Listen to this series to learn about her story! About Rachel: Aviation fell into her lap, starting with Alaska Airlines. After about a year with AS, she...

Hey there, folks! You won't believe the crop of newbies we've got at SkyWest lately. They strut in with chips on their shoulders the size of airplanes! It's starting to mess with our training and putting a real dent in our sky-high culture. But fear not, because as an instructor, I'm here to guard the good vibes and give any culture-disturbers a friendly heads-up. Remember, it's all about humility...

A little early for a Día De Los Muertos celebration, but this guy is back from the dead with another fresh episode! Now I’m going live on Instagram so you can ask your questions live, so keep an eye out for that.  In this episode I’m jabbering about:  Travel updates Favorite overnights Continuing Qualification (CQ) 2023 Training Contracts New United Airlines pay…. NOT I forgot to talk about it! Lo...