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Welcome to an aviation podcast that caters to all aviation enthusiasts, ranging from pilots to airplane spotters. Our show covers a wide range of topics, including private pilot training, airline operations, and the latest aviation news. Our knowledgeable host, an experienced airline pilot with eight years of flying under his belt, is thrilled to share his own experiences and offer valuable advice to help you pursue your aviation dreams. We are here to support you on your journey, constantly wishing you Tailwinds & Sunshine!
How's it going, everyone? Welcome back to the show. This is the Tailwinds of Sunshine podcast. I am so happy to report that I think I'm, my sleeping schedule's back on track. I'm not entirely a 100% sure, but I feel like definitely coming back into the US, it hit me.
Manny:Last episode, I said that I didn't feel any jet lag going to Australia, and maybe it had to do with the fact that our air our flight departed at night. It departed 11 PM and, you know, we were able to sleep. So we when we had dinner, that we we had the drinks and then we went to sleep and we slept for probably like the 8, 9 hours, you know, during the flight. And then we woke up and by the time we got to Australia, it was 2 days ahead. However, it was still early in the morning.
Manny:It was, like, 7 AM or 7:30 when we got to Australia. So it felt like there was no interruption of of sleep. There was no sleep cycle interruption. It was fine. Coming back, however, it was, we took off from Australia, from Sydney at 9:30 in the morning, and we arrived in Las Vegas at 9:30 AM the same day.
Manny:So I didn't get to sleep as much, and I definitely felt that I was really tired when I was in LA. We we were waiting for a flight to Las Vegas and we were I've really started to feel it. And I think the day afterwards, a couple days after that, I definitely felt it. Like, I was like, oh, man. You know, I was I like, I felt like I needed a nap in in the middle of the day and I still feel like I need that nap.
Manny:And I'm like, oh, man. Maybe it's a jet lag, kind of, kick in my butt now. But I feel like I'm I would say about 90% there. I think I'm good to go or maybe 95%, we'll call it, but I think I'm feeling good. But as far as the show goes, I have more time more free time here in the next couple of weeks.
Manny:I don't have any trips planned, so I should be able to put out some content more regularly as you are ex as you expected. Usually, Mondays Thursdays is when I put out episodes. Yeah. So this episode is the grand finale with my friend Vanessa Montano. This is a 3 part series, and we finish off the conversation by talking about, about non rev.
Manny:Vi, gives us her pointers, how to do non rev right. And also, we go into her IX and that actually expands into a whole other conversation about, crew resource management and how to how it's so important not only important but vital to have communication between the flight deck and the cabin, making sure that we're not stepping on each other's toes, making sure everything is safe because communication is super important. Communication is the the the foundation of to resource management, right? There's 4 pillars of CRM, and this communication is the most important because without it, you don't have the other 3. But, so yeah.
Manny:Anyways, let me see. Anything else I wanna cover before I go? I'm trying to think of anything. I have a couple more guests to interview this week. I have plenty of content, so stay tuned.
Manny:Also, thank you so much again for the reviews, the emails, the suggestions. Keep sending those suggestions I have, for any, segments you wanna hear within the show or an episode that will make it more fun or more engaging. Don't be shy. If you have any questions, please shoot that email if you wanna be part of that conversation. Also, come on board.
Manny:I highly encourage you to, to come on board and and share what you have to share with the community because there's so much out there, not just pilots and flight attendants or or different perspectives as well from other pilots, other countries. I know I have listeners all over the world, and if you wanna come on board and share your experiences or your wishes that you wanna do, please, by all means, the form is in the show notes or you can email me and I'll I'll send you the link so you can schedule a a chat with me here on the Tailwinds and Sunshine podcast. So anyways, enough chit chat for me. Let's get on with the show. From the Summerlin Studios in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, this is the Till Winds and Sunshine podcast.
Manny:You know, I don't know if that's your intent and just kinda start the conversation from there, you know, because I found out that sometimes when you communicate that, the person was not even aware they were doing that, and they'll back off a little bit.
ATC:Possible pilot deviation, I have a number for you. Adviser to 8 copy.
Daniel:Dude, this 777 has been really fun to fly. It's honestly just a bigger Embraer 175.
Manny:But the fact that they were sitting on that runway knowing there was a heavy coming their way, unacceptable.
Rachel:I'm from the central part. So I'm from a town. We have more cows than people where I come from. Very country.
Micah:The aches I have, I can go on. Number 1, when the jet bridge is pulled back and we're ready to push and you guys don't have your headsets on.
Patrick:Plan has to be perfect because you can't turn that. You can't turn right. The only way out of that, if the pilot gets into a bad spot or if there's something that's, like, happened at the airport that shuts down a runway. The only way out is up.
Manny:There you go. Congratulations. Yeah. So see how many of them and this is straight out from the, FA, written exams. So these are some sample questions that they'll give you or you'll see in your private pilot written exam.
Manny:Alright. Alright. Well, let's see. Let's switch. So I'm gonna have I have a question here that I got.
Manny:I wanna do a follow-up, a little bit of a discussion of follow-up as far as non rent benefits because I talked about how you want to, to a certain degree, purchase a ticket, a fully refundable fare. So that way, if you need to get back somewhere, you need to get to a destination, you have a way to get there. Right? So, Russell writes, he says, awesome podcast, man. But how is a non rev a, how is non rev a viable option when you're suggesting to buy fully refundable fares?
Manny:You'll end up paying way more as opposed to booking with, like, let's say, Spirit. Alright. So the idea here is to have is sort of a safety net, right, that you're able to make it back. And for the most part, you should be able to find a better option than the per the ticket that you purchased, and you can just cancel the reservation and go somewhere. You know, use that use that reservation instead or or list yourself non rev on another flight.
Manny:So the idea here is that long term, you're gonna be paying less, but still, obviously, you wanna guarantee yourself way back home. So I think it still pays off to be able to do that. Yes, there will there will be times when you're just gonna have to, oh, well, you're gonna have to pay that ticket in so you can get home. Right? But I think it's still a really good idea.
Manny:But, v is a really seasoned non rev traveler, and, and I think that I mean, do you have any pointers for anyone that's doing non rev travel?
Vanessa:So non revving. Wanna make sure that you give yourself a cushion. K? Give yourself a cushion. Have a backup plan.
Vanessa:Make sure that when you do have a backup plan that you're not super disappointed if you don't theoretically get to go. Learn your company's hot times to go. Try to find the cute little airports that you would be very, very surprised. Right? So let's say you fly into, I don't know, Montana, but Montana can get you to Nashville.
Vanessa:Right? Let's say you're trying to go to somewhere like a a festival, but it's hard to get out of Salt Lake City to go, like I said, to Nashville or Houston or any type of stuff. So sometimes what you're gonna wanna do is you're gonna wanna find, like, little sweet spots of all that stuff. Always bring yourself good snacks. I don't know.
Vanessa:I can get into this really, like, nitty gritty because I have gone to places for literally 24 hours. I went to Japan for 48 hours just for Disneyland. So, you gotta learn how to work the system. And I also took my cousin on a buddy pass, which if anybody knows about buddy passes, it was actually kind of, like I don't wanna say a nightmare, but it was one of those things where, like, I could get on but she didn't get on because I've seen Yuri was holding this, but the buddy pass was not holding whatever. So I could get on but she couldn't get on but then I was gonna be in, you know, premium class, and she was gonna be in the back, which, like, that didn't matter.
Vanessa:I already told her, and she's already super, like she understands. She's like I'm like, girlfriend. You they tell you to sit on a toilet. You sit on a toilet. We get in Japan.
Vanessa:You know what I mean? Like, so she knows. But one biggest thing is, like, I would always be, prepare yourself. I don't wanna say prepare yourself not to go, but give yourself a day. You know, it's cheaper to pay if, you know, if you don't wanna pay for that ticket.
Vanessa:Right? Like, let's say you don't wanna pay for a positive ticket. You don't wanna book the space because my mindset is if you're gonna pay for a Spirit ticket, just go on the Spirit flight. Like, it's stress stress free. Non revving is very stressful.
Vanessa:I have slept in airports. I have, my cousin and I, we so speaking of, like, the Japan one, buddy pass. We couldn't get out of Salt Lake City on a Delta buddy pass, but we needed to get to Seattle. So we actually ended up buying, a Alaska flight last minute, which was actually pretty cheap. And I could non rev on the Alaska flight, just because it's super open.
Vanessa:But, you know, sometimes you might have to buy a a flight. Also, make sure you're using your Zed Fairs. Right? Zed Fairs are really good that you wanna do any of that type of stuff. But you have to figure out, like, maybe go a day before or go ride, like, the try to get on a a red eye.
Vanessa:And it's sometimes it's easier, cheaper to pay for a hotel or an Airbnb or sometimes in countries, they have, you know, little spots at little capsule hotels that you can stay in or that type of stuff. But look at, like, the bigger picture of things and try to understand that, like, non revenue is a privilege and, you know, that type that type of stuff. I I don't know if I'm answering your question. I could get pretty nitty gritty about it, but I know that there are times where it's like, especially when you first start, you're excited and you wanna go, and you're wanting to do, you know, Delta 1 or Polaris or you wanna ride in 1st class or any type of stuff. But the biggest thing I think, to take out of non revving is, again, like, I use, like, the example, like, Sarah.
Vanessa:If they tell you to sit in a jump seat or whatever, you just sit and be quiet. Right?
Manny:Right.
Vanessa:Yeah. But Take it. Biggest things I always do is I always take a backup of food. Right? I always take backup of food.
Vanessa:I take advantage of the lounges. I definitely go make sure that I go eat in there, take some snacks from my backpack because, again, I have missed flights by, someone coming up last minute and doing, like, an s 2, and then I'm the one that's not getting on because they s 2'd and literally took my seat. So
Manny:Yep. Yep. So, yeah, what Visa is about us too is a higher priority. So, I think this is a Delta thing, and they can have and most airlines have a, you know, higher priority for for example, for us at SkyWest, if we try to fly on United Metal, we have less priority than or or we have a lot lower priority than, for example, actual United employees. So they might take a seat.
Manny:They have, I think vacation passes. I forgot what United calls it. So they have certain priorities. So they can actually flex that. I said, well, I'm gonna just you know, they can go on and then, you know, now you get trumped.
Manny:So, that's what s two stands for. These have a higher priority. And I think we have, I think we are able to use I think what's our highest priority? I think s 3 or something like that. So we have, like, levels of priority, and we can use a higher priority only a certain amount of times.
Manny:So we can, you know, make sure that we get somewhere. So it's up to you, but they only limit us to so many times a year. But, yeah, it it is like you mentioned, it is stressful, and you have to be super flexible like I've been saying all this time. Gotta be flexible with your plans. But the best thing to do is another thing that I didn't mention that you brought up is, hey.
Manny:Make sure that you are you know, if if you can make it to your destination, try to connect somewhere else that may have a connecting flight that goes from, like, a smaller airport to a hub. So you might not have direct from Salt Lake to Atlanta, but you might go Salt Lake to, I don't know, just an example, Idaho Falls and then from Idaho Falls to Atlanta or something. You know? So be flexible, but it definitely takes some planning on your part. But, Russell, thank you so much for the question.
Manny:Yeah. I mean, for me, that that's a plan. I I've done it multiple times where I I I buy a fully refundable fare ticket, and then I ended up flying on Southwest because it was just wide open or was available. And so I ended up canceling that reservation and went with the other one. So and speaking of nonrefundable fares, know that there are multiple types of refundable fares.
Manny:Like, United has different codes for their fares, and make sure you don't because, we have options of paying, the UA discount. So if you purchase that, you may not have a fully refundable fare, which means they're just gonna offer you a credit because you bought it at a discount. So you have to dish out and buy the actual fully refundable fare as you were just a normal passenger, and that's a different coded fare that is gonna allow you to do that. Otherwise, they're just gonna give you credit. Now if you don't mind getting credit, just for another flight later in within a year, then okay.
Manny:But if not, just make sure you pay the full the full fee.
Vanessa:And what I like about you buying the ticket that is refundable is, like, sure. It's kind of like you're you're buying the ticket that is refundable. And let's say because I have bought tickets like that, and you just won't get back, like, the insurance, and insurance is $25 or something like that. But if you think about it, if you do end up making your flight, then you're fine. So I feel like if you're kind of creating, like, yourself a little bit of insurance by getting a positive ticket on, you know, whether that be Southwest or somebody else or that type of thing, you have to kinda think, like, the bigger end of the spectrum is it's obvious it's important that you're getting there.
Vanessa:Right? And so if you're creating a little bit of a cushion, you already have, like, an edge on everybody else because it's kinda one of those things where it's like, okay. Cool. Like, it's nice if I can get on, but if I can't get on, I have this cushion in 30 minutes. I could just jump over to this other gate and do that type of stuff.
Vanessa:So I do like that you do do that. I actually I I don't know many people who do do that, but I do find that to be I think this is actually really smart because it's creating a little bit of a cushion. Right? So yeah. That's awesome.
Vanessa:High five.
Manny:Yeah. And that's absolutely if you're like, you have to make it somewhere. And, if you're traveling just by yourself, you have more flexibility, but you have more people, definitely, you know, and you're trying to make it somewhere, you know, or just might as well just buy the whole damn thing. You know? Just buy the ticket, buy it ahead, you know, buy it with plenty of time of in advance, so make sure you're getting the cheapest fare.
Manny:But if you really need to get somewhere, you wanna build that cushion, just buy something like that so you, if every because now there's a if there's a cancellation and now they're moving all those nonrebs from that previous flight to your flight, guess what? Yes. Now
Vanessa:you don't need There's a 150 seats on a flight up to that's actually what happened with my cousin and I to, the Seattle. 100 and 50 seats, then it went to a 125, then the flight before that canceled, and everybody went on that one. And that's how we were gonna get stuck and then not end up going to Japan. But, yes, things like that do happen. And so, yes, so creating that cushion is is amazing for yourself.
Manny:Yep. So I'm about to go and, do in a couple actually, in May, at the end of May, I have 2 weeks off, and I'm going to just you know, I'm gonna go to the airport. Yeah. I don't even know where I'm gonna go. I'm just gonna look at the open flights and just go.
Manny:Right? I love that. I wanna I I think I yeah. Yeah. So I want to actually I might decide to go I wanna go international.
Manny:So because Vegas doesn't have much international options, we're gonna have to go to either LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, or one of the bigger hubs so then we can see what we have available from that point on. But that's, you know, no plan. I'm just gonna pack a light bag with some, some shorts and some coats, you know, as well. So that way, if we go end up at a colder destination, we end up in, you know, Australia, we have something to cover ourselves, but that's what I'm gonna do. And I'm really excited to
Vanessa:be able to do that.
Manny:Alright. So we've talked
Vanessa:the school, like, little perk. Right? And so I'll just have to remember that, like, it's a perk. It's not a it's a it's a privilege. It's not a right.
Vanessa:Mhmm. Mhmm.
Manny:Yeah. And treat it as such. Right? Because, also, I talked to my last episode with my friend, Micah, about how people are getting way too comfortable flying, right, as far as how they dress and know that when you're a non rev, there are certain guidelines you need to follow. And one of them being, I don't believe they allow you to wear open toe shoes when you're non revving.
Manny:So you have to be properly dressed. Read those you know, make sure that if you are if your buddy is an airline employee, check with them to see what the the dress code is for non rep because, if it gets to the point where you're just, like, not dressed properly, they can kick you off that flight, and then they will revoke not only your benefits, but your, you you you could potentially have your put your friend at risk of losing their benefits on that airline. So be very
Vanessa:careful how
Manny:you dress.
Vanessa:I told all my, travel companions. I'm like, you get us grounded. I probably will never gonna talk to you over getting somebody to be subs. But, I actually asked about the closed toe thing, because I was kinda curious in the situation like that. I'm like, how do you, like, just make sure everyone's wearing closed toes, and what's the purpose?
Vanessa:And the purpose is if a non rev is there, we all know that it's like, we have said multiple times, right, it's a perk. So, the biggest thing is is you are expected to possibly help in event of emergency. And the way that we can keep you safest is if your toes are not open and catching on to stuff and, you know, that type of stuff, getting hurt, getting stepped on, any of that type of thing. So we wanna make sure that we keep you safe in event of emergency, and that is actually the reason why you cannot wear open toe shoes. So if anyone's like, that is so silly.
Vanessa:That is so dumb. But it's like, it's really actually not because we count you as an able-bodied person. And when I say we is, I'll always be a flight attendant at heart, but it's something that, like, you can help me guide people at the end of the at the end of the slide. Right? Or whatever the situation.
Vanessa:Like, let's say we have to end up like, we land in Arizona and there's cactus and things like that. Like, I have to now worry about you and, you know, that when real bad
Manny:shit Yeah. Exactly.
Vanessa:I can make sure that you're not stepping on dirt or things or gas or fuel or fire, any of that type of stuff. Right? So that's actually the reason, and I know that that has been, a conversation quite a few years ago that people are pretty upset that, like, well, when I wear a dress, I wanna wear cute shoes. And it's like, dude, just get on. The fact that we get to even do this is even a perk.
Vanessa:So just put your shoes on and Right. Do what you need to do.
Manny:You can wear your cute shoes once you get to your destination, but right now, wear your New Balances right now. Your, you know, your dad, New Balances, your white New Balances shoes, put them on and just get to your destination and go, okay. Now you brought up a, something I wanted to talk about. You mentioned, like, I'm always gonna be a flight attendant at heart. And, actually, I think you bring a lot of value now that you're gonna be a pilot.
Manny:You know, once you're flying, back Mhmm. You're flying out with SkyWest, you are gonna have a really good insight as to what flight attendants need from you as a pilot. Right? Because you know what's happening in the back. You know what it takes to be in the back, and now you have that knowledge.
Manny:Right? So, usually, what I do is, like, I ask flight attendants like, hey. What do you need
Vanessa:Yeah.
Manny:From me? Like, do you want me to turn on the fastened seat belt sign early? Do you want me to turn it when you need it? You know, because I know that, you know, they have some time or whatever. And, fairly good example yesterday that I learned something new.
Manny:Okay? So I remember so we were at the gate in Jackson Hole. We got delay into Denver. There was flow going back to Denver. So I decided to stay at the gate.
Manny:So I'm like, alright. We're not gonna push back. I'll leave the flight deck door open, and I made an announcement to passengers. But what she told me, I think probably 45 minutes into it, she's like, hey. You know, do you want me to close the flight deck door?
Manny:I was like, you know, maybe it was like and then she said, you know what? If because we still need to run our checks. So we once we close the flight, we have more stuff to do after that. I was like, oh, I didn't know that. Well, thank you.
Manny:Let's go ahead and close this so you can do your job. Yeah. So I didn't know that. So I think you knowing that is gonna have a little bit of a more, a better dynamic with the flight attendant now that you're gonna be a pilot. Now so and now when you were flight attendant, what were your biggest, like, x that pilots did?
Vanessa:So when we're making our announcements, I have to be able to make my announcements. And there are some flight attendants because we understand that, like, you guys have your own thing. You have whatever. You guys have your checklist. You guys have your phases of flight, right, theoretically.
Vanessa:But, as a flight attendant, so we make welcoming announcement, then we make a door closing announcement, and then we make also a door, like, once the door has been closed announcement. I can't tell you how like, this is like a super ick, and it happens all the stinking time. So now that you're a captain, you can be a little bit more aware of it. And I don't know if it's because Alright. You guys really can't hear us or you just kinda like, oh, no.
Vanessa:I this is my phase of flight. Like, boop. I gotta get on. Right? So, and your PA system will over my PA system.
Vanessa:And so, technically, with a phase of fight with being a flight attendant, I technically can't close my doors or I can't arm my doors until I make this one announcement and it's because there are FARS that are mentioned inside of it. And so there'll be times where, either the first officer, which is hardly ever the first officer, which is the captain, and no shade on the captains. I understand that you guys have to do whatever you guys have to do, but, that
Manny:I already know where this is going.
Vanessa:Interrupt us. Right?
Manny:Yes. We just, like, literally just start transmitting. Right? Because like you mentioned, our our PA system, our button overrides everything. So yes.
Manny:Yeah. I've I've several flight attendants say it's like or they'll come in as like, you just interrupted me. You know? I was like and I'm like, oh, shoot. Not me, the captain.
Manny:I haven't done that. Luckily, I haven't done I haven't interrupted anyone. But the trick here is to what I do is we have a button that we can actually listen to when you guys are using the PA. We have a button in the flight deck that we can listen actively in our headset or the speaker when you guys are making an announcement. So my typical thing is before I make make an announcement, I hit on that button to see if you guys are talking.
Manny:I pause for a few seconds, and then if not, then I can start my announcement. Because if you just go, oh, I'm gonna make my announcement and just hit the PA button, then it's gonna be interrupting you guys if you guys are making an announcement. So I I wait. So I listen. So, yes, we do have the ability, and I believe every airplane out there has the ability for us to listen and be like, okay.
Manny:Okay. They're done talking. Now it's my turn. And I go and do that. So I I've I've been pretty good about that.
Manny:I haven't interrupted anyone so far.
Vanessa:Like being like a new flight attendant? Because it's the thing. I know, that we as flight attendants, we work around it and we get to it. Right? Because we have to go within, like I don't know.
Vanessa:This might be a naughty thing to say. But it's either let him interrupt me or take the delay. Right? So and the thing is is, like, as
Manny:Oh, wow.
Vanessa:As a flight attendant, we're not gonna take a delay. Right? I'm not gonna I'm gonna let you say your announcement. If it's longer than whatever we need to say, then the flight attendant and I can call each other within and we can say, okay, dude, close the door. Like, let's make sure that we're closing the door so that we at least can close the door on time.
Vanessa:Oh, yeah. Because there are times where I'm like, and I have seen where forwards because I've been asked. Right? I have seen where forwards, they're like, he just won't stop talking in every single flight. Like, we gotta say something because we're getting delays and, like, we're gonna get in trouble.
Vanessa:Right? So there are times where sometimes, like, the timing of stuff on your guys' end. And again, no shade. I understand. Right?
Vanessa:There's just some people who just live completely because to to life or things you guys, you know Yeah.
Manny:No. Calling for water.
Vanessa:You guys are trying to get, you know, fuel. You guys are probably all of your inside. I'm not saying probably. It's just I'm not in there. So I don't know.
Vanessa:Right? So, but Yeah. I have been in situations where, like, we've had to, like, actually, like, talk to you guys and say, like, hey. Like, we're closing the door because, like, we're closing the door, close the door. And and this is what kind of makes me nervous because I'm like, oh, as flight attendants, we're taught not to do that.
Vanessa:Right? Like, technically, it could be like a slap on the wrist. Like, we can kind of get in trouble for that. Am I saying I've done that? Of course not.
Vanessa:I always leave on time. I do everything perfect and right and correct, but not but I'm saying that there have been times where it's like, okay. Cool. Do we like, our captain's, like, talking about his life, and he's talking about a bunch of crazy things that, like, the passengers don't care. Right?
Vanessa:And it's, like, one of those things where I'm like, dude, we gotta close the door. We gotta close the door. So I do know that there are times where it's, like, the communication in that situation, like, that is, like, one of the biggest icks, not just with me. I know what other flight attendants definitely is. And, I would say the closet.
Vanessa:Let us oh my god. Oh, really? The closet the closet is such a crazy thing that's, like, please don't tell us what to do with the closet because while we are in training, we are trained that, like because it does have a weight limit. And to us, like, we're taught that, like, that weight limit is way stinking important. Weight and balance and this and this and this.
Vanessa:Right? But, like, I understand that, like, people put their bags in there and, like, there are times, like and it does say, in our e fad that, like, you know, we could put a first class passenger bag inside of there, but we're trying to only keep it towards, you know, like, what needs to go inside of there. 1st class jackets, 1st class things. But, like, when the flight deck comes up yeah. The snacks.
Vanessa:Yeah. Yeah. You know, and things that are like yeah. Right? The snacks.
Vanessa:That's one thing I do miss. I miss the snacks. Every time I meet up with any of my friends here, I'm like, hey. What do you guys have on the plane? Bring me a snack.
Vanessa:But, the, the funny thing is is that, like, the closet, like, please don't try to convince us that your bag is more important than anybody else's bag or the situation. So, like, if we say no, like, there has to be a reason. And I know that there are some flight attendants that are a little bit more beefy about the the closet than others and some don't care, but that's that's where that, like, miscommunication starts and begins because there's some flight attendants that just don't care. Right? And it's because they don't wanna fight with anybody.
Vanessa:I think they wanna keep, like, the vibe, and I don't wanna say fight, but I think it's just, because it's not a fight. I've never seen crew members actually ever, like, fight.
Manny:But let me let me ask you a question about that closet now because now is it our our pilot's just literally trying to put their bag there instead of putting it in the back like we're supposed to. Is that what they're trying to do? Like, they're like, oh, I'm just gonna put
Vanessa:it right here. They'll their, like, lunch bag, and then they'll call and tell us to get their lunch bag from that. But then it gets in our way. Yeah.
Manny:Oh, hell no.
Vanessa:Way. But in the
Manny:Hell no.
Vanessa:That, but there's, like it gets in our way or they tell us, like, hey. Or, like, the person who's jump seating, they'll say, like, hey. You need to you need to put their bags inside of the closet. And it's like, dude, like, please let me just figure out. Because, like, I have someone in first class fighting with me about their guitar and how they can't have that stuff inside of there or not inside there.
Vanessa:I'm like, please just let me figure out what I need to do here than to to do any of that type of stuff. But I say the closet and the communication thing is probably the biggest one. I was never a territorial flight attendant. If you want me to make you coffee, I'll make you coffee. But if you want to make your own coffee, you you can do that too.
Vanessa:Like, I was super cool about it. Like, I was just, like, if you want me to teach you how to make your coffee, I will absolutely teach you and show you where all this is at.
Manny:You know, for that, I feel like for me personally, I feel like the galley is, like, I always ask permission to go in there. If the flight attendants are on board, like, let's say they're we're we're waiting to depart and we have a sit somewhere. So I usually, like, take out the trash bag and put it out, and then I'm walking and I said, I go, can I grab a bag? I said, oh, yeah. Yeah.
Manny:Go ahead and because I already know when you guys keep the bags. Right? So I just go and grab it myself and put it in the, you know, in the flight deck. But, guys, just be respectful what you do. Don't assume that just because, especially captains, that just because it's your plane, you can do whatever the hell
Vanessa:you
Manny:want in that plane. Right? You're working as a team. Right? So I think the biggest thing is just to ask permission whenever you're doing something that is not regularly within your normal area of operations.
Manny:Right? So for the pilots, the flight takes hours. Right? So then now the cabin, that's the flight attendant's home. Right?
Manny:So make sure you ask for permission whenever you wanna put something in a closet or you're gonna grab something or if, like you mentioned, if I wanna make my own copy, hey. Show me how to make it. But even if you know how to do it, always ask for permission from the flight attendants. Hey. Can I do this?
Manny:Hey. Can I do that? I've I've used the closet a couple times, but I've always asked for permission. I think there was one time that I think I I really needed to make a connecting flight to go home, and I asked the flight attendant if I could just put my bag in the closet. So when when we got there, I can just run, grab it, and go.
Manny:Right? And she actually gave me a little bit of grief, But I'm like, okay. I'm like, just but now we know. Now we know the closet space is very sacred to the flight attendants. Let them do their job and just be respectful.
Vanessa:We're pretty
Manny:Right? So just because we guys right. So we there's certain procedures that we don't know about in this communication between flight crews and just talking to you. Another one about communication. Like, I I think right now as a new captain, I'm really superfluous with my announcements when I make my welcome announcement, but I make sure that we're on time.
Manny:Like, I'm not I'm not making an announcement if we I have to drop the breaks because we have 30 seconds left. You know? I'm not gonna make a full blown announcement taking 3 minutes while you guys are waiting to close the door. Right? So be cognizant about that because I've I've I've, had flights that, you know, I think it might have been 1 or 2 where we're just, like, really close to being late.
Manny:So I don't make my announcement until, like, we're out out of the gate and we're, like, deicing. So I've had one like that where, like, I just I'll just wait. I'll just drop the you know, I'll hey. You guys are good to close. Close the door.
Manny:Close the main cabin door. Drop the brakes. Let's push out. Let's go de ice, and that's when I'll make my announcement. So I'm not gonna delay boarding or anyone doing that.
Manny:So it's really important. And so now I know. If we're getting close to that, I'm not, you know, close to, departure time. I'm not gonna make an announcement. I'll just defer to some other time or, yay, worst case scenario, just don't make an announcement.
Manny:Because like you mentioned, most people don't even pay attention to those anyways.
Vanessa:Yeah. No. Absolutely. And especially because, when there's times where we even have to, like, ask the passengers, like, hey. Like, you're sitting in the exit, like, emergency exit, you know, this or that or whatever.
Vanessa:So those are the biggest things. We're just like, oh my gosh. We have we're technically like I said, like, we have to make those announcements prior. And then in training, we're just taught that, like, the closet's, like, just a kind of big no no. And then oh, one last one.
Vanessa:This is actually kind of, like, one of those things where I'm, like, dang. I remember a couple times where, like, we would have a cut, like, a good just wild morning, wild tough day. We would have leg after leg. And, and this to me, I just kind of feel like this is just, and it's no expectations. But I feel like, okay.
Vanessa:If you're just being like, we're a team here. Like, to me, I'm like, k. I want you to be successful. I wanna be successful. I wanna be excited when I see you on the bus, whether it's 4 o'clock, 1 o'clock.
Vanessa:I don't care. I wanna be just as excited because that's the thing. We have to spend a lot of time with each other. Right? So it's one of those things where I'm like, I don't wanna see you walking from the gym and then me roll my eyes because I was starving or wanted a coffee so bad.
Vanessa:And you came back with a coffee, but we had a board and we're delayed. But it's like, I don't expect you to pay for a coffee, but, like, if you're gonna get off and you're already gonna get something, and especially because your guys' expectations on being on board is a little bit different than flight attendants. Like, I can't step more than 2 feet off of the plane, but if you're already running behind or you've already had a tough day or any of that type of stuff and as, like, the captain or the first officer, if you guys are already planning on going and getting something, just ask if we want something and even you know what? Just even say, like, if you can't and, again, it's no expectations because I've had plenty of captains buy me coffees. I've had plenty of first officers buy me coffees.
Vanessa:But just say it like I feel like it's not so much what you say, it's how you say it. And just say, like, hey. I'm going to Starbucks. Did you want me to grab you? Did you wanna give this is how you gotta say it first.
Vanessa:I'm going to Starbucks. Did you wanna give me your card and grab you something? If you don't want to front it, right, or have them pay you back. Or get in a weird situation where it's like, oh, they owe me money because of whatever. Right?
Vanessa:And that's fine. It's not even so much about that. It's not what you say. It's how you say it. So if you could just say, like, hey.
Vanessa:I'm gonna go run inside. I'm gonna go run to Wendy's. Did you wanna give me your card and grab you something? Because then it sets all proper expectations to
Manny:Right.
Vanessa:To everything. Right? But I can't tell you how many times, like, me as a flight attendant and even, like, me and whoever else I was working with, like, we there's been times we're, like, dang. Like, we wanted a coffee so bad. Like, we've been up since 5 o'clock this morning, and, like, we've been delayed all day.
Vanessa:We've been de icing. Then we don't have water because we haven't been able to get water because we're in, gosh, nowhere.
Manny:Right. So we can't make coffee in a plane. Yeah. So I think I I think, a really good thing that, to do as a flight crew is that we need to especially if we have those days and I've heard stories that hasn't happened to me, but, like, one of those really tough days where you have 4, like, 3, 4 legs and you're delayed and you're delayed and then you're just rushing to get, you know, the turn as quickly as possible. You know, I just take the delay, man, for the end.
Manny:Just go get them food. Get your, you know, your crew, your team to have an opportunity to eat. Right? Because we need to eat. We need to take a break.
Manny:So, hey, captain. Go up to the gate agent. We're gonna delay boarding by by about 20 minutes because we need to take a break. And, you know, as a captain, I'm more than happy to take the delay and put it on myself and just be like, you know what? It's me.
Manny:My crew needed to eat. We're gonna take the delay.
Vanessa:Use those bars, man.
Manny:Do that.
Vanessa:Use those bars.
Manny:Yes. Use those bars. And I I mean, I hope it doesn't happen to me, but, I mean, you gotta think of everyone else on board. Now, one last question I wanna ask you. Like, how what's the fastest way for a pilot to get on the, flight attendant's good graces?
Vanessa:To just be cool, be understanding, just listen sometimes, be positive. That's the biggest thing is, you know, there's not just one Oscar the Grouch. I wish that the he only lived in Sesame Street. Right? But we all come across them and, you know, we all have our own lives.
Vanessa:We all have our own things. Again, where we're all at, even being a flight attendant, like, dang. Like, my family was so proud of me for, like, becoming a flight attendant. It's like, dude, we get to be there. Right?
Vanessa:So even I have bad days and that type of stuff. But, like, I would just say, hey. Be positive. Have a have a positive outlook. I know that even as a flight attendant, sometimes, you know, life is wild and you're commuting and you do any of this type of stuff and you had a wild morning.
Vanessa:I actually I thank goodness that you hit me up with, or it could have been automated email, but I got an email and it's like, hey. Don't forget. And then the time change, because I had kind of a a wild morning this morning. I was like, man, the one time that I need to have a wild morning is when I'm gonna be doing this podcast. Right?
Vanessa:But I would honestly I would just say, hey. Be positive. Talk to us. Please. Please just talk to us.
Vanessa:Just say, like, hey. Like, hope you guys are having a good day. I had a wild morning today. Like, blah blah blah blah blah. Hey.
Vanessa:Are you good? Do you need anything? You know, just ask. Just talk to us. I think communication is biggest things.
Vanessa:And even if a flight attendant because sometimes we'll get people and, you know, we're human and we our patients sometimes gets pushed. And even just say, like, hey. Do you wanna vent vent? You wanna say something? Like, say it now.
Vanessa:And then let's have a good rest of the day the rest of the time. You know? Because, someone who doesn't, it's it's it's harder working with the Oscar like, you what's the phrase? You, attract more with honey than you do with vinegar. And, honestly, I think that SkyWest crews are freaking awesome.
Vanessa:Like, I like, I hear about all a lot of other stuff. I really do love our crews. I love our bases. I have met some of the most absolutely incredible people in my entire life, and I just think it's so awesome. I've even met SkyWest people when I've been on my wild nonref journey nonrev journeys and continue to be friends with them actually still to this day.
Vanessa:And, like, the only thing that we ever did was sit next to each other. And I just think it's so cool that we all get to build rapport and continue to be with each other. But the biggest thing is just, communication. Right? I think that just be cool, and everyone has different personalities.
Vanessa:Everyone comes from different backgrounds. Everyone has their own beliefs and that type of stuff. And I think even just talking to you today, Manny, I don't think that you would have any problems or any issues. But if you ever do hit it hit it hard on the head in the beginning and then just say, like, hey. I'm cool.
Vanessa:Like, if there's something that we don't agree about or is there miscommunication, you know, because the flight attendant actually that kept the Ford, by day 3, she actually, she couldn't take it anymore. She was like, hey, I need you to stop to stop doing that. And so, you know, it's one of those things where it's
Manny:Yeah.
Vanessa:He didn't know, she didn't know. No. She knew, but he didn't. Right? So I just think it's, communication and Right.
Vanessa:Be approachable. I think that's one of the biggest thing is, be approachable. Us as flight attendants, we see you as the captain, and, we see you as, like, hey. Like, 4 bars. Like, you're in charge.
Vanessa:You're doing this or that or whatever. But, just be approachable and, you know, I think that I don't think you're gonna have any problem or issue with any of that. But be approachable, be nice, just be understanding, you know, that type of thing, and let us vent. Sometimes we really need to vent.
Manny:Yeah. Alright. I will keep that in mind. I will actually include a part of my ice brief now. It's like, hey.
Manny:If you guys need to vent, let's let it out right now so we can have a good trip because, you know, these these flight attendants might have just gotten off like
Vanessa:a Yeah.
Manny:Stand up. You know? They or they might have come from, like, a 3 day trip, and now they just gotta do this, you know, we call it a victory lap all the way to Pensacola and having to come back or Panama City or whatever. So they might be already tired. They might be stressed out and, like so just to know, hey.
Manny:How's your day going? Oh, man. I just started a 3 day trip. I was like, oh, man. That sucks.
Manny:Anything fun happen or anything? No, man. I had the you know, the first passengers from hell or something. You know? We just came from Aspen and, you know, or something.
Manny:You know? So to Yeah. You know? You know what I'm talking about? Yeah.
Manny:So yeah. So yeah. So yeah. So you know? And it's one of those things where I I try to be approachable, and the the biggest thing is always tell the flight attendants, hey.
Manny:Listen. If you need anything, don't don't hesitate to call me, especially with the whole turbulence thing. Like I said, hey. Listen. If you feel like you're getting rocked because we might forget because up there, we might not feel or we might be used to it.
Manny:Hey. Take your seat and then call us. Hey. We took our seats because it's getting pretty bad. Hey.
Manny:Gotcha. Okay. Now I'll make an announcement to the passengers. Hey. We've asked our flight attendants to take their seats.
Manny:So communication, I think, is really important. It's the pillar of CRM.
Vanessa:Totally. Totally. Totally. Ask them about the temperature. Man, sometimes you guys be burning us up.
Vanessa:You guys will have control notice.
Manny:You know, but that's, well, does that happen when the ERJ or the CRJ? Because in the ERJ, we have the ability to put it back to so you guys have control of the cabin. So, maybe if but if it is hot, I think maybe the switch is we have to cycle it. But, on the well, that's the only plane I fly, but I've never heard any complaints. Or, actually, we've had a couple of times that we just cycle the butt the switch, and then then it starts working for whatever reason.
Vanessa:That's not like I should Yeah.
Manny:But communicate with that.
Vanessa:So super huge one on CRGs, but it's kinda funny. I've had captains tell me where they're like, yeah. We just tell you guys that we fix it. But they're like, absolutely, we can't
Manny:do it. God.
Vanessa:Like, what? Like, on the CRJ's because they're like, if it's warm up here, we just think that you're warm in the back. I'm like, dude, it's like a meat locker back here. Like, it is so cool. But
Manny:Yeah. No.
Vanessa:I don't think that's that's not
Manny:a No. Yesterday. Yeah. Yesterday. That's another thing that I, actually, yesterday, we were in, like I said, I was in Jackson Hole.
Manny:And when we got the delay, the rampers connected us back to ground power because in Jackson Hole, we're not allowed we're not we're encouraged not to have our APU on for too long because Jackson Hole's in the middle of a national park. So they're really, you know, conscientious about how long we're burning fuel and and that kind of stuff. So I turned off the APU for probably about, like Yeah. 20 minutes. And I told the, the 4 flight attendants, I said, hey.
Manny:If you start getting any complaints from the passengers, just let me know, and I'll turn it back on. So communication is key, and I was starting getting hot in the flight. I was like, screw it. I'm gonna turn it back on. So I turned on the, APU back end so we can have some AC.
Manny:But communication is really, really important. Let's see. What else as far as the flight attendant communication or relationship between the flight attendants? Oh, here's another one. I wanted to ask you just because I don't know.
Manny:So sometimes, like, I'm just like I I get on the I you know, we're this is more happened more as an FO, but I became more aware of it. I'm like, oh, what if we have, like, let's say a 2 hour, 3 hour flight, and I wanna get a cup of coffee. What's the best time to ask you for that? Because I know that as soon as we turn off the sterilizer, you guys get to work pretty much, I'm assuming. Right?
Manny:So when would be the best time to ask you for that? So so there's less inconvenience to what you guys
Vanessa:Okay. So you can say so if it's something that you know that you're gonna want. Right? So if you have a longer flight and you kinda just need, like, a boost halfway through, if that's something you already know, I would actually just say, like, hey. Like, say it on the ground, especially Tiger forward.
Vanessa:Like, hey. Like, in the middle of the fight. Because there are times where I do know that flight attendants like, let's say no one in first class orders coffee. Right? They may not even make it.
Vanessa:Right? So it's one of those things, where as a flight attendant, I'm one of those things where, like, I love my coffee. I absolutely love it, and I love it when it's fresh. So I will never have a flight deck ever have, like, bad coffee. So, like, if you ever ask me I know that not everyone's like me.
Vanessa:Right? But I know if you ever ask me, I'll make it for you. I'll be like, hey. Give me a minute. I'll make it fresh.
Vanessa:Like, this has been on here for a while, or I don't have any. Let me make you fresh. Not a big deal. But I do know that there are some times where, like, 5 to 10 times, like, ugh. Right?
Vanessa:You know? So and then that's the thing. It's just a personal thing because, you know, we're working, and we are doing tough stuff, especially, like, when we have mail, that type of stuff. Right? But, honestly, I would say as long as you don't wait all the way to, like, sterile.
Vanessa:Because by the time that we've done our first service, sometimes there's flight attendants that they are way on top of their stuff, and they will toss anything that they don't use or don't think anyone else is gonna use. So, I would say it probably takes a flight attendant if we're on a long flight, if they do have a, you know, a meal or that type of thing. It probably takes them around 45 minutes to an hour to do whatever. So if you do on a flight mid flight, just call mid flight and just ask. And just say, like, hey, like, can you make me call?
Vanessa:But if you know that you're gonna need a boost halfway through, I would probably actually just tell them on the ground because then that allows them to prepare and then they also know too, like, oh, hey. Manny needs coffee. Like, how you know?
Manny:Okay. You know, because I've done this before. I usually do it like like let's say we're just rushing or whatever. It's like, oh, I didn't get my coffee. And I don't want you guys to make me a cup of coffee before we're like I don't know.
Manny:Some flight attendants, they say, you want anything? And I'm like, it's usually water because I feel like if I ask for coffee, like, they have to put
Vanessa:a
Manny:a pot. Right? So usually I say, you know what? I'm gonna be and then on top of that, if I have coffee with me and if I forget about it somewhere and I didn't put it in the right cup holder, it's gonna fall off on take off and it's gonna spill all over. And it's happened to me before.
Manny:So I usually don't have open open mouth cups when I'm we're about to tax your takeoff because I run the risk of spilling it in the flight deck, which has happened to me before. So I usually say I've said this to a flight attendant before. I've said, hey. Before you start your service, can you make me a coffee and just, you know, call us, and I'll get it from you before you start your service. You know?
Manny:I I don't know if that's appropriate or it's like yeah. So I usually say like, hey. Before you start your services, can you give me a cup of coffee? And usually, I'm like, I'm a black coffee kinda guy. So I say, hey.
Manny:They ask you want cream of sugars? No. Just straight black. Just give me so I usually say before we leave the gate, say, hey. Just before you start your service, just throw me a cup of coffee.
Manny:I Yeah. I appreciate that.
Vanessa:Yeah. No. Actually, I think that's, like, super appropriate appropriate. I think that's super nice. One thing that I would only consider, though, about the hate before you start is the app has to come up to open the door.
Vanessa:The app has to come up to open the door anyway. So if it's a shorter flight, keep in mind that the aft may like in proper CRM is like, we probably shouldn't. But I also know as like a flight attendant, I'm like, k, I gotta bust out. Like, I gotta we just had a bumpy, you know, climb out. So I'm like, if I only have x amount of time and we gotta hurry up and come and open up the door, like, be ready to open the door, though.
Vanessa:Right? So if you have to be up there
Manny:Oh, okay.
Vanessa:Or keep the flight safe, then just, like, 1, be ready to open the door, and or 2, say, give her an option. Say, like, hey. Like, if it's cool before your service, then cool. Open, like, then say do it before your service. But if you want me to wait after your service and to where you and the flight attendant are up and put away, Like, I don't mind which one, but will you guys make sure and get it for me, you know, prior and actually, make them commit.
Vanessa:Like, make them say, like, hey. Do you because then they both know that they both have to be up there. And I would say and I and I don't mean, like, hey. Make them commit. But then it's, like, proper it's and you have proper expectations.
Vanessa:They have proper expectations. Right? So, I would say, like, like, would you prefer it to give me before you guys start your service, or would you like to give me a cup of coffee after? Because I think the way that you're asking is actually super appropriate. I think that's absolutely ideal, and it would be great for everyone to communicate like that.
Vanessa:But, I would say give them a choice. Maybe give them a choice, you know, especially if you know that the climb out's tough or the climb out might be hot, harder, you know, that type of thing.
Manny:Yeah. Typically, on those short flights on those short flights, I never ask for coffee. To be honest with you, I already have my drink or something. I'll just ask them for, like, you know, a soda or like an or something. I'll ask them for that, really quick before we leave.
Manny:But I feel like coffee is just a little bit more labor intensive. And but now I know. You know? It's like, hey. They have a procedure for opening the door.
Manny:So if they haven't started their service, they still have to go. I don't know. So, yeah, I'll probably give them the option, but usually that happens on longer flights, especially, hey. We have to use the restroom. Right?
Manny:And we have to use the restroom because I know when we have to leave the flight deck, you guys have to put everything away. You guys have to come back to the, you know, the flight, and you have to do all that before you. So I understand that if if we're if you guys are in the middle of your service, then, yes, it's going to be a pain in the ass for you guys for you, you know, to okay. Alright. Look.
Manny:We gotta put everything away. We gotta do that, and we gotta, you know, let them out of the flight deck. So I try to prepare, and I'm trying to be more, you know, aware of stuff that's happening. So I use the restroom before we leave.
Vanessa:Yeah.
Manny:Right? And make sure that I use it when we get to our destination. So that way, I don't have to use the restroom in the plane. So that way, I don't inconvenience you guys because it's only in the 175, there's 2 of you. Right?
Manny:So, whereas on the 73, a a larger airplane, we have a 3 or 4 flight attendants that can kinda split the duties of doing that. Right? It doesn't have to. So in this case, both of you have to work together to do that. We only have 2 flight attendants
Vanessa:on board. Oh, yeah. With them. Let us go in because you never know. You might inspire someone to be a pilot.
Vanessa:And the thing is is, like, there's a pilot shortage. So Right. Don't be afraid to use the bathroom. You gotta go to the bathroom, Manny. Let us in there.
Vanessa:We like to be in there. So, you know
Manny:Yeah. Yeah. We do that. For me, I was like I see it, like, as, like, oh, it's for me, really, I see it, like, as an inconvenience to you guys, so I try to prep. But, hey, if nature calls, nature calls.
Manny:You know? Because one time, this sucks. Like, I was like, oh, man. Like, I don't wanna inconvenience them. Like, it's a relatively short flight.
Manny:So I held it. I held it. Right? So I'm like, okay. I'll be okay.
Manny:And we were going into we were going into Chicago, and we I was like, okay. All I was thinking about is going to the bathroom when it got to, like, the gate. So I we were on final approach, and they asked everyone to go around because an airplane ahead of us had a Yeah. A bird strike. So we went around, and I'm like, oh my god.
Manny:Like, my bladder was about to burst. And so we went around, came back around and got resequenced for the approach. We landed and then the taxi, as you know, Chicago is a long taxi going to Chicago. Right? And we were just taxing in every single bump I was sitting there.
Manny:It was just, like, just hitting my bladders, like, boom, boom, boom. And I was like, oh my gosh. I'm like, never again am I if I ever question it, like, maybe I need to go. Yes. Go because I don't wanna have to live through that again.
Manny:You know? I ran out of that flight deck. Like, before, it's like even the shutdown checks, like, open the door and be like, boom. Before they even the main cabin door was already in the bathroom. I was that, like, I needed to go.
Manny:You know? So Yes. But I think the biggest takeaway is just communicate with your flight attendants. They're part of the t they're part of the team. They're human beings.
Manny:Just because it's your plane as a captain doesn't mean that you shouldn't, show the respect that you are expecting. They, you know, they show you. So ask for permission, keep them in mind, communicate with them as what's the best time to get coffee, when's the best time to use a restroom, how long is the flight, and all this stuff. So communication is key so that way you guys are more in harmony. So that way because sometimes it's just not communicating creates this animosity against each other.
Manny:It's like, oh, they're just doing that out of spite. Maybe there weren't. They're just they're just unaware of the procedures of what we each have to do. So communication is really important.
Vanessa:I've heard that. We're like, you know, pilots have said, like, oh, dude. I didn't know. Sorry. You know?
Vanessa:And I'm like, oh, it's all good. Or even, like, I interrupted in situations. This is one thing that actually I wanted to say, and I forgot to actually go back is, I had no idea that, like, there's times where, like, if I'm asking, like, oh, hey. Can we close the door? Or, oh, hey.
Vanessa:Do we have everything? Or, oh, hey. Whatever. I didn't know that you guys had to start your checklist all over again. I mean, is what I've heard.
Vanessa:Right? You guys have to start your checklist all over again. So I can't imagine, especially knowing now my own checklist. Like, I find the archer. I'm gonna be finding the assessment here.
Vanessa:Everyone's switching over to assessment, but, like, everybody has checklists. Right? And so that's the thing that's kinda crazy is that, like, there's times where I'm, like, dude, like, I and I I can only imagine that your guys' checklists are a lot longer just because there's a lot of things that you guys have to do, but there's times where I'm like, dang. Like, I could not imagine getting to, like, the second to the last line and then having to maybe, like, have to start all over. So even as flight attendants if flight attendants are listening to this, and I hope that you are because I, would love to make sure that you guys all know that, like, hey.
Vanessa:Like, they have checklists. We have checklists, and they have x and we have x. And, you know, as working as, like, Mani said, in harmony, I think communication is, like, one of the biggest things. And so it allows people to Yeah. Yeah.
Manny:And as far as for any checklist for us, really, because what happens is that when we perfect example yesterday. Right? When everything goes as planned and there's a flow of things, you know, you push back, you know, you communicate a certain way. But anytime you introduce something, something different into your flow or there's an interruption because someone came in, like the gate agent came in, and they handed you the paperwork for it. Right?
Manny:There's an interruption. We have to start over because there is a threat that could hap for example, yesterday, you know, I was ready to, you know, I was literally ready to drop the brakes, and the LCA was like she was talking to the tower, and tower's like, oh, by the way, you guys have flown to Denver. You're gonna your wheels up time is now an hour from now. We're like, oh, great. So now it was out of order.
Manny:Right? Because the flight attendant was already given us a thumbs up signal saying, hey. You guys are we're ready to taxi. I was like, hold on. I'm like, stand by.
Manny:We're gonna stay at the gate. And so that threw us off into a completely different scenario that I've never experienced before. And now, an hour later, when we're getting ready to push back, I talked to the rampers and they're like, hey, we're good to push. And I just straight up said, alright, you're good to push. And the and the line check airman, she she said, hold on.
Manny:You still have your parking brake.
Vanessa:Oh my gosh. Shit. You know?
Manny:I was like, we were about to, like, we were about to, like, push back. That that could cause damage to the airplane and the tug. So that interruption that has started an hour ago created me almost, you know, pushing back with the parking brake on. So that's where we have to start. But, honestly, the checklist itself is not that big of a deal.
Manny:They're they're yeah. They might be longer, but they go really quick. And it's just the the the interruption of flow of things. So what you do is what, what can be a problem. But, yeah, as far as that, like, another thing you mentioned earlier about closing the cabin door is that we need to make sure that the fuelers that this is the biggest the biggest thing.
Manny:We cannot close the main cabin door unless fueling is complete. Because if the if they're still fueling, then we can't close the main cabin door. We could, but we have to arm the slides. We have to do all that. There's, like, different procedures we have to do.
Manny:So that way, when they ask me, are are we good to close, I have to look and make sure the fuel is, you know, the fuel, fueling has been completed and our tasks are done. So that's really important for your flight attendants is make sure that you ask the, the captain if they're good to close before you actually close the door. Because if you close it and they're still feeling, that's, that's a no.
Vanessa:Right. Totally. Yeah. So and that's yeah. No.
Vanessa:I I've been there in some situations where where we're like, oh, okay. We're gonna close the door. And then they're like, oh, man. We get fuel, so then we had to open the door again. But, really, what that means is it's it's literally pissy.
Vanessa:It's, to us, that might sound annoying, and maybe to passengers, it might sound annoying because, you know, you'll get people that are like, hey. Are we gonna leave? And it's like, well, yeah. We're gonna leave, but we also wanna make sure that we're safe. Right?
Vanessa:So, because our biggest priority is safety. And so we do wanna make sure that, like, I'm safe, you're safe, and whatever is safe. Right? Because you do keep in mind, like, we're throwing some aviation fuel, a lot of it, just right here. So we gotta make sure that everyone stays safe.
Vanessa:You know? So Mhmm. Yeah.
Manny:Right. Yep. Alright, Vee. Thank you so much for being here. It was so much fun sitting down with you and talking.
Manny:We've been, covered a lot of stuff in this episode, and I'm really glad to get your perspective from the, not only the SkyWest employee, but also the student pilot, also, a person struggling to reach her dreams, and also just, I mean, what else what else did we talk about? We talked about just the, you know, family dynamic, your support group, and just everything in between. So I really do appreciate for you taking some time when you talk with me today. And I'm sure our listeners are really they have I'm sure they have a lot of questions, you know, about, your flight training and everything. So if you guys have any questions, go ahead and email them to me.
Manny:You can reach out to me, and we can have a little bit more further discussion of stuff you heard today. But, Vite, I wanna thank you so much for being here today.
Vanessa:Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it. Thank you so much for having me. It's really been something I was looking forward into doing, and, I do wanna put this out there that if anyone please, like, I want to let everybody know. Like, if you feel like you need someone to talk to or you need help or whatever the situation is, like, always remember, I will be in your corner and I will root for you and I will help you and I will try to Google things and I will tell you more about my experience and I'll tell you any of this type of stuff where I'll help you try to get accepted into the school or any of that type of stuff.
Vanessa:So please do not feel free. Please do not feel like you guys cannot reach out to me. I will give Manny information or you guys can even reach out to me, via email and that type of stuff. I don't know how you want me to give anybody that type of information, but please feel free to go ahead.
Manny:No. I'll your information is gonna be linked in the yeah. Your your information is gonna be linked in the show notes. So I have your email and whatever other information you wanna put out there would be on the show notes. So, yeah, so you can reach out to Vi and ask her more questions about the pathway program or being a student pilot or being a flight attendant.
Manny:You can reach out to either of us. Once again, thank you, Vi, for being on the show. And, all I wanna say is our party my parting words is continue growing, continue learning because just enough to earn a living is not good enough to survive. Sup, nerds? Before I let you go, I have a task for you.
Manny:I have a challenge. If you can go to the platform where you're listening to this podcast in, go ahead and leave a review. Just tap that star. Whether it's a 5 star, I'd like that very much, or a 4 or a 3 or a 2 or a 1, it doesn't matter as as long as you leave a review and some criticism so I can improve this podcast because I want the Tailwinds and Sunshine podcast to be your podcast. So go ahead and leave that review now.
Manny:I also wanna give a huge shout out to my friends and coworkers for sharing the podcast with their friends and family. That means the world to me. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Also, if you wanna be part of the show, go ahead and hit me up. It doesn't matter where you are in the world.
Manny:We'll make that show happen. We'll make you a friend of the show. Until next time, wishing you Tailwinds and sunshine. See you. The statements made on the show are my own opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.