The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast

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 applied to every major airline at STL. One of the big ones called her first and she took the job. With STL being a line station, she rarely got anything larger than a 73 or Airbus. She wanted more, so she knew transferring out was her best choice. She has done almost everything: ramp, customer service, gates, trainer, supervisor, MLB and NHL charters, mail, cargo, ramp tower, BSO, security clearance for WOW. She wasn't mainline as she was with G2, which she's beyond grateful for because she got to do so much with one company.

She spent many nights sleeping in her car because she would work 18 and 20-hour days, so a quick nap was necessary, whether in her car, bag cart, or office.

She is a self-proclaimed avgeek. Her love for the 747 makes her speechless and Big Poppa (Boeing 777).

She has many, many, many nicknames: Ray Ray, Pothole, Ramp Tower Queen, Dolly Parkin, Sweet Tea, just to name a few.

She is a runway model.

Mental health advocate.

Tequila Connoisseur. 

Loves to travel and hiking.

Follow Rachel!

Instagram: rwyrachel

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

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 craved more and applied to every major airline at STL. One of the big ones called her first and she took the job. With STL being a line station, she rarely got anything larger than a 73 or Airbus. She wanted more, so she knew transferring out was her best choice. She has done almost everything: ramp, customer service, gates, trainer, supervisor, MLB and NHL charters, mail, cargo, ramp tower, BSO, security clearance for WOW. She wasn't mainline as she was with G2, which she's beyond grateful for because she got to do so much with one company.

She spent many nights sleeping in her car because she would work 18 and 20-hour days, so a quick nap was necessary, whether in her car, bag cart, or office.

She is a self-proclaimed avgeek. Her love for the 747 makes her speechless and Big Poppa (Boeing 777).

She has many, many, many nicknames: Ray Ray, Pothole, Ramp Tower Queen, Dolly Parkin, Sweet Tea, just to name a few.

She is a runway model.

Mental health advocate.

Tequila Connoisseur. 

Loves to travel and hiking.

Follow Rachel!

Instagram: rwyrachel

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

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 craved more and applied to every major airline at STL. One of the big ones called her first and she took the job. With STL being a line station, she rarely got anything larger than a 73 or Airbus. She wanted more, so she knew transferring out was her best choice. She has done almost everything: ramp, customer service, gates, trainer, supervisor, MLB and NHL charters, mail, cargo, ramp tower, BSO, security clearance for WOW. She wasn't mainline as she was with G2, which she's beyond grateful for because she got to do so much with one company.

She spent many nights sleeping in her car because she would work 18 and 20-hour days, so a quick nap was necessary, whether in her car, bag cart, or office.

She is a self-proclaimed avgeek. Her love for the 747 makes her speechless and Big Poppa (Boeing 777).

She has many, many, many nicknames: Ray Ray, Pothole, Ramp Tower Queen, Dolly Parkin, Sweet Tea, just to name a few.

She is a runway model.

Mental health advocate.

Tequila Connoisseur. 

Loves to travel and hiking.

Follow Rachel!

Instagram: rwyrachel

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

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, my friends! Embrace that and you'll soar through life with a smile. Oh, and guess what? I've got a fun surprise in store...for me, but I can't wait to spill the beans to y'all! Stay tuned! 🎉 

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

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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! Lol

Interviewing Airlines 

And other none-sense

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

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Interview availability dates 

This podcast episode sheds light on the concerning rise of aviation incidents in recent months and highlights the importance of a collaborative approach towards finding a solution. Factors such as staffing shortages and technological drawbacks have been identified by the FAA during their investigations, but they are still analyzing a critical human factor component. Before the pandemic, the aviation industry was experiencing its safest period in history, but due to lack of investment in infrastructure and staffing, potential issues were masked, resulting in the increase of close calls and more notability the complete meltdown of Southwest Airlines during the 2022 holiday season. With mass layoffs and early retirement offers during the pandemic, the aviation industry has seen a loss of experienced employees, leading to challenges and increased hiring with only SOPs and policies to train new staff. The high turnover rate and lack of experience has made it nearly impossible to handle unusual or potentially hazardous situations efficiently, threatening safety in the skies. Therefore, addressing these issues is crucial for the industry to improve and ensure safety in the skies.

REACH OUT!

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

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Have you ever wondered what a “buddy pass” is? Well, they don’t exist… hahahaha just kidding, but not really.  Today’s episode is all about non-rev or what it is usually known as, Standby Travel. You’ll learn how to ask your airline employee friend how to get on their benefits, how much it costs, and I give you full-disclosure on what it means to non-rev so you can determine if traveling standby is for you.

APPS/SITES I USE FOR TRAVEL

United Airlines App

Flightview

Google Flights

Flightaware

Flightradar24

MINGLE WITH ME

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

This is a very special episode! My friend Daniel Sims joins me in Episode 6 of the show to share his experience as a future cargo pilot. In today’s episode, we chat about the value of good training, the recent close calls and how the FAA plans on handling it. We also dive in on possible solutions of our own and how slowing down during flight operations can help mitigate our current lack of pilot experience at the airlines. Finally we talk about Frontier’s new unlimited travel pass, is it a hard pass or worth the money? 

ABOUT DANIEL SIMS

Following in the footsteps of his aviation loving grandmother, Daniel took his first flight in a small aircraft in the San Jose bay area and immediately fell in love. Since then, he has earned many different pilot certificates, graduated from San Jose State University with an Aviation degree, and flown across the country to compete against some of the best pilots in North America. With over five years of flying experience, he currently works as an airline transport pilot flying cargo worldwide. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hiking, snowboarding, travelling (duh!), and spending time with friends!

LINK UP WITH DANIEL SIMS

• Website: www.cfidaniel.com
• Instagram: cfidaniel

MINGLE WITH ME

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

This is a very special episode! My friend Daniel Sims joins me in Episode 6 of the show to share his experience as a future cargo pilot. In today’s episode, we chat about our favorite airplanes and what Daniel’s experience was going through his first airline pilot training at SkyWest Airlines.

ABOUT DANIEL SIMS

Following in the footsteps of his aviation loving grandmother, Daniel took his first flight in a small aircraft in the San Jose bay area and immediately fell in love. Since then, he has earned many different pilot certificates, graduated from San Jose State University with an Aviation degree, and flown across the country to compete against some of the best pilots in North America. With over five years of flying experience, he currently works as an airline transport pilot flying cargo worldwide. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hiking, snowboarding, travelling (duh!), and spending time with friends!

CONNECT WITH DANIEL SIMS

• Website: www.cfidaniel.com
• Instagram: cfidaniel

CONNECT WITH ME

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx

BOOK YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW

Interview availability dates 

This is a very special episode! My friend Daniel Sims joins me in Episode 6 of the show to share his experience as a future cargo pilot. In today’s episode, you’ll find out how Daniel and I met as we chat about his time at San Jose State University’s precision flight team.

ABOUT DANIEL SIMS
Following in the footsteps of his aviation loving grandmother, Daniel took his first flight in a small aircraft in the San Jose bay area and immediately fell in love. Since then, he has earned many different pilot certificates, graduated from San Jose State University with an Aviation degree, and flown across the country to compete against some of the best pilots in North America. With over five years of flying experience, he currently works as an airline transport pilot flying cargo worldwide. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hiking, snowboarding, travelling (duh!), and spending time with friends!

CONNECT WITH DANIEL SIMS

• Website: www.cfidaniel.com
• Instagram: cfidaniel

CONNECT WITH ME

Email me at: [email protected]

Instagram: climbvx