Podcast Episode Summary: Pilots - Part Two

Introduction

In Part Two of this 3-part series, Katherine stays grounded (figuratively) while flying deep (literally) with Marco and Nate, two seasoned regional pilots with 17 years of experience between them. This time, the conversation gets personal—and sometimes hilariously honest—as they dive into the emotions, stereotypes, and unexpected curveballs that come with a life spent in the sky. From the thrill of flying next to eagles to dealing with burnout, to answering the age-old question: have you ever been struck by lightning? (Spoiler: you’ll want to buckle up for that one.)

Writers and storytellers, this episode is also a quiet masterclass in character work. Whether you’re building an airline pilot protagonist or just want to capture the feeling of someone balancing logic, emotion, and a checklist, these two are gold. Part 2 lets you sit in the jump seat and hear what it really feels like to live a life above the clouds.

Let’s hang.

Here's the link to this specific podcast episode on my website. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other major platforms!

Timestamps

00:00:57 What are typical emotions that you yourself go through? The anger, frustration, bliss. What's a sort of something that you experience on the daily, or that you would hope to experience on the daily, but instead you get X, Y, Z?

00:03:03 Now, why is it that you won't [the photo]?

00:06:03 "Actually, you ever been struck by lightning?"

00:08:42 So I'm hearing about eagles flying beside you, and these beautiful weather-related experiences. Is there anything else that really gets you excited about piloting and aviation that just makes your job fucking worth it?

00:12:58 What is the typical dress of those in either piloting or aviation? Does it vary based on what plane you're flying or what airline?

00:16:20 Do you get roasted a lot in this field?

00:18:35 What is the most draining part of the job? Something that is like your least favorite thing to do.

00:20:37 You touched on some stereotypes, but are there any stereotypes or cliches that you would like to take this platform to debunk?

00:23:57 So you mentioned that there were some things that might pop up where the plane is still operational.

00:30:09 So Murphy's Law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. What is something that perhaps is often overlooked or forgotten, that you need to just make sure that you flip this or check this?

00:34:19 Is there such thing as being too long in the industry, where there are pilots where it's just like, oh boy, you need to retire.

00:35:54 What is something that will take you off the roster?

00:39:51 So what kind of other sounds do you encounter?

00:42:57 I'm curious, like Florence Nightingale was a hero for nurses, like Arnold Schwarzenegger is a role model for bodybuilders. Is there a hero for pilots?

00:48:58 Earlier in the podcast, you mentioned plateaus. Do you guys have any personal experiences with hitting that plateau?

00:56:16 Contract negotiations are just on fire for pilots right now.

00:58:22 So when you see this problem on the news about the pilot shortage…

01:04:02 Why is it that [Spirit] got such a bad rap then?

Key Takeaways:

1. Pilot emotions = human emotions

Flying might look sleek from the outside, but the reality includes frustration, fatigue, boredom, and the occasional burst of joy. The guys share stories that remind us that while pilots are professionals, they’re also people with real emotional landscapes.

2. Stereotypes don’t hold altitude

Forget the "Top Gun" mystique. Real pilots push back on media portrayals and share what it’s actually like in the cockpit. These stories unpack assumptions and reveal a broader, more grounded range of personalities in aviation.

3. Murphy’s Law is always on standby

Pre-flight rituals are habitual because they're so essential. One skipped checklist item can trigger a cascade of small issues. The margin for error is thin, which makes preparation sacred, not optional.

4. Unsung heroes keep things flying

Some of the most influential pilots aren’t household names. The stories shared highlight mentors and colleagues whose leadership, skill, and grace shape the profession far from the spotlight.

5. Burnout happens at 30,000 feet too

Even for those who love flying, the routine can wear thin. These conversations explore what it means to plateau mid-career—and how curiosity, mentorship, and challenge can reignite that original spark.

Editor Note:

There’s a subtle tension in this episode that any writer will appreciate: people working in high-stakes environments who still have to carry around the weight of daily emotions, minor annoyances, and self-doubt. Marco and Nate offer both insight and vulnerability—reminding us that even in a field built on precision, there’s still room for feeling. For storytellers, it’s a reminder that good characters don’t always need chaos to be compelling. Sometimes, the sky itself is the setting, the conflict, and the metaphor.

Plus, there’s an offhand lightning strike story in here that’s cinematic gold. Just saying.

Links & Resources:

1. Articles about Flight Attire and Uniform Codes on Simple Flying

2. Fatigue in Aviation Brochure from the Federal Aviation Administration

3. Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's list of People You Should Know

From the site: "Their stories are united by one common feature—they made that history as members of historically excluded groups and communities. Members of these groups and communities didn't just face the common barriers encountered in aviation and space—barriers of engineering, physics, and more. They also faced barriers of prejudice, such as being denied training and resources. Overcoming these obstacles, they achieved their goals and made history. 

This page is intended to be an introduction to a selection of history makers from some historically excluded groups. Our hope is that this page will excite you and encourage you to dig deeper into these stories and others." 

4. Thunderstorm Formation and Aviation Hazards from The Front, NOAA’s National Weather Service's occasional (and not since 2020) newsletter

5. Lightning and Planes article on National Weather Service's website

6. Part One of this Series

7. Part Three of this Series

Filed this under flight logs,

Katherine Arkady