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 about the incredible flight he was able to experience on Aero.  Yes, the flight was provided free of charge to Brian.  However, this does not stop him from expressing his views on the flight and service.  As he will say… it’s all about the Passenger Experience.

In addition to reviewing the flight, Brian was also able to interview Liz Mazzei, Head of Marketing, and Mikael Pelet, Chief Operating Officer at Aero.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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 Brian then talk about the Pacific Airshow that didn't really happen. However, I was able to talk with the PIO of the USAF Thunderbirds, the Chief Commercial Officer of Clay Lacy Aviation and a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

Brian was also able to add in two interviews he conducted at the ground breaking ceremony of the new Clay Lacy Aviation FBO / MRO at the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA. He was able to rerecord some questions with Joe Barber and he was able to talk with the current CEO's mom, Sharron, who has an interesting aviation story of her own.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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 technology to deal with it. 

For the main segment, Brian plays some pre-recorded interviews he conducted at the Food and Beverage section of the APEX show.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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 [email protected]. 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 to stop serving hot food on transatlantic flights. 

Micah and Brian then talk about the rest of Brian’s trip to Korea and the return flights home. They also discuss another visit to a National Park and a side trip to Jeju Island and how Listener Matt provided some additional activities for the Korean adventure.  There is also a mini review of the three Asiana and Singapore Airlines lounges at Inchon airport.

The show closes with some lessons learned and a not so surprising flight / schedule change by United. 

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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 Caroline, but he really did reply.)

Then Listener Hendrik sends in some audio feedback talking about public transportation to airport, international VISAs, and tracking flights in applications.

Listener Lu asks about canned wine and if Brian had any on his trip to Korea?

Micah and Brian then talk about the first part of his trip to Korea. They also start a list of lessons learned because not everything went according to plan.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome Song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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 with John Mollison, the producer of Old Guys and Their Airplanes. In addition, I got to learn about his podcast called, The Linebackers II Libraries, which is a series of shows dedicated to the B-52 pilots and crews that supported the Linebacker campaign of the Vietnam war. They are an amazing collection of interviews so please check them out!

As for my trip, I got to see The Corn Palace, Wall Drug, The Badlands, Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Tetons and a whole bunch more.  Oh, and I get to fly home from Salt Lake City on Southwest airlines.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome Song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 88, Micah and I talk with Kate Kuykendall, Public Affairs Officer, at the Long Beach Airport.

But first, Listener Lu wants to know why I don't think I'll get to fly 4 million miles with United?

Because we didn't have any listener mail, we go right into our conversation with Kate about her job and the Long Beach Airport.

Founded in 1923, the Long Beach Airport is the oldest municipal airport in California. It sits on 1,166 acres and has three runways, in addition to a diverse portfolio of Class A office buildings, retail space, industrial facilities, a hotel, and a municipal golf course!

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome Song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 87, Micah and I talk with Julian Kheel of Points Path.

But first, Listener Lu wants to know if I've ever been on a flight that had a mechanical issue or if I was ever concerned about safely landing?

Then Micah and I get right into our conversation with Julian. Points Path is a unique browser extension that will tell users if it's better to book a flight with points or money. We also discuss some of their challenges and future product features.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome Song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 86, Micah and I discuss the interviews I conducted at Cranky Dorkfest 2024.

Sadly, on this show there was no listener mail nor a question from Listener Lu. However, Micah was able to interview his Physical Therapist about his trip to Europe on Jet Blue and Air France.

At Dorkfest I was able to interview: Melissa, Benny, Jvan, Matt, Ben and Heather, Ian and Mr. Cranky himself, Brett.

And I was also able to start the promotion of a spectacular trip I'll be leading to Africa in early October 2025. If you are interested in participating, please send me an email indicating your desire to participate. (In addition to all the special things I have planned, you will also be able to meet the singers of our opening and closing music.

The opening and closing music for The Journey Is The Reward podcast is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir, recorded live in the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 85, Micah and I finally wrap up my trip to Australia.

But first, we hear from Listener Bill who wants to know why Micah loves his cash back instead of going for points. Had Micah spent on the right cards, he would have had enough miles for a free business class ticket to Australia. Instead, he only received $240 in cash.

We also had the opportunity to share our thoughts on Listener Lu's question about Southwest charging for seats. Both Micah and I believe this will not work out well for Southwest.

During the main segment, we get to play the episode that was recorded in Australia at the PCDU home studio of Steve, and was supposed to be played when I was still in country.

We then get to hear Steve do a Pacific Airshow Gold Coast radio promo.

The Oz Desk, episode 813, which is played on the Airplane Geeks, was played next.

Then we get to hear the recording from the meetup with Grant, ATC Ben, Evan and Leighton. A great time was had by all.

Special thanks once again to Steve, Grant, their wives, the guys at the meetup, and all the guests we had on the show.  I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them… and you too Micah!!!

And if anyone is interested in joining me on a trip to Africa in September or October, 2025, please let me know so I can get you more information.

Opening and closing music for The Journey Is The Reward podcast is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir, recorded live in the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

We hope you enjoy the show!