Travel Talk & Airline Dirt

A musician and a music writer get together to talk about...aviation?

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I’ve got a window office, so that’s nice.

Good Morning!

For our Friday, we’re doing something a little different. Today, I’m joining the What Am I Making podcast to discuss what air travel is like on the other side of the ticket counter.

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There is a writing parlor game making the rounds that asks, ‘What could you talk about for 30 minutes without a script?'  I have three answers: music, soccer, and commercial aviation. 

If you’re here, you already know how much I love to ramble on about my favorite records and genuinely enjoy hearing about the ones you love. What you may not know is that my day job is in commercial aviation-specifically working for one of the U.S.’s “Big 4” carriers. 

When I first walked through the doors, I thought I’d just stay for a bit while I figured out what I really wanted to do when I grew up. Almost 30 years later, I still haven’t left. Through it all, I’ve had a front-row seat to dizzying highs and incredible lows–not to mention spending my days with a fascinating cast of characters on the other side of the ticket counter. 

It was that perspective

Matty C

was seeking when he asked me to join him for a recent edition of his What Am I Making podcast. Matty is a friend of On Repeat and is a huge part of the #MusicStack community. In addition to hosting a podcast, he sends out a daily newsletter, has a weekly radio show, is a professional musician gearing up for a tour, runs a record label, and more. I got tired just typing that sentence.

Oh, and he also happens to be a fellow Midwest suburban dad and Subaru Owner. 

This was my third appearance on the show, and hopefully not the last. Matty has an easy conversational style that keeps the conversation moving, even with someone like me. In our wide-ranging chat, we cover everything from technological advances, how the public-facing part of the TSA is only the tip of the iceberg, 9/11, and why watching these machines bend every law of physics never gets old. 

We even managed to work a little soccer in. 

If nothing else, I hope it lends some insight and perspective, making your next trip through the skies a little more enjoyable. When you’re done here, head over to check out Matty’s work–it’s a goldmine! 

~KA

WAIM #061 - Kevin Alexander Travel Talk & Airline Dirt

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