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The world feels like it’s on fire — and Ben is boarding a flight anyway.
On this episode of It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by friend Joe, a commercial airline pilot flying one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, for a behind-the-scenes deep dive into aviation, fear of flying, turbulence, airplane safety, and what really happens in the cockpit.
They break down:
• Do you actually need airplane mode?
• Can a plane fly on one engine?
• What happens during turbulence?
• Do pilots sleep on long-haul flights?
• How safe is commercial air travel really?
• What happens if landing gear doesn’t deploy?
Joe shares real stories from 20+ years of flying — including engine failures, bird strikes, auto-land landings in low visibility, and why flying is still statistically safer than driving.
Then in this week’s Breaking Point, Ben unloads on airport behavior — TSA confusion, zone boarding chaos, adults wearing pajamas, barefoot passengers, and why flying etiquette has completely collapsed.
AJ joins at the end to talk turbulence anxiety, travel rituals, and their upcoming trips (including AJ singing the national anthem during wartime).
If you’ve ever feared turbulence, questioned airplane safety, or lost your mind watching someone in 37B block the aisle — this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by actor, photographer, and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.
📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts
🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com
💬 Want to be on the show?
Submit your story or pitch at itsbenaweek.com
By Ben McDonnell4.9
115115 ratings
The world feels like it’s on fire — and Ben is boarding a flight anyway.
On this episode of It’s Ben A Week, Ben is joined by friend Joe, a commercial airline pilot flying one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, for a behind-the-scenes deep dive into aviation, fear of flying, turbulence, airplane safety, and what really happens in the cockpit.
They break down:
• Do you actually need airplane mode?
• Can a plane fly on one engine?
• What happens during turbulence?
• Do pilots sleep on long-haul flights?
• How safe is commercial air travel really?
• What happens if landing gear doesn’t deploy?
Joe shares real stories from 20+ years of flying — including engine failures, bird strikes, auto-land landings in low visibility, and why flying is still statistically safer than driving.
Then in this week’s Breaking Point, Ben unloads on airport behavior — TSA confusion, zone boarding chaos, adults wearing pajamas, barefoot passengers, and why flying etiquette has completely collapsed.
AJ joins at the end to talk turbulence anxiety, travel rituals, and their upcoming trips (including AJ singing the national anthem during wartime).
If you’ve ever feared turbulence, questioned airplane safety, or lost your mind watching someone in 37B block the aisle — this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to It’s Ben a Week
New episodes every week filled with unfiltered stories, wild guests, and brutally honest laughs. Hosted by actor, photographer, and professional barrel racer Ben McDonnell.
📍 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Wherever you get your podcasts
🔗 Connect with Ben:
Instagram: @itsbenaweek
TikTok: @itsbenaweek
Website: itsbenaweek.com
💬 Want to be on the show?
Submit your story or pitch at itsbenaweek.com

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