The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast
by Manny Ramirez
Welcome to an aviation podcast that caters to all aviation enthusiasts, ranging from pilots to airplane spotters. Our show covers a wide range of topics, including private pilot training, airline operations, and the latest aviation news. Our knowledgeable host, an experienced airline pilot with eight years of flying under his belt, is thrilled to share his own experiences and offer valuable advice to help you pursue your aviation dreams. We are here to support you on your journey, constantly wishing you Tailwinds & Sunshine!
Episodes
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Flying Chickens: Special Guest | Mike Strasser | Part 2
Part two is here, y’all! Mike is an exceptionally talented and fascinating individual. In addition to being an airline pilot, he and his brother Stefan run a cartoon series called Chicken Wings—featuring chickens that fly, though not in the way you'd expect. Mike also operates a retail store...
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Flying Chickens: Special Guest | Mike Strasser | Part 1
Mike and I were sim partners during our upgrade training at SkyWest Airlines. His awesome Austrian accent and diverse background led to many captivating stories during training. Today, sit back and meet Mike as we catch up after training and jump into his aviation journey, beginning with...
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Wait ‘til I get my money right…
In today's episode, I climb back on my soapbox to discuss an important issue: money. Stop wasting your money! While it’s easier said than done, many Americans live far beyond their means in a futile attempt to maintain appearances and project a superficial image of success. Stop! It’s not about...
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From Coffee Spills to Cockpit Thrills: Special Guest | Vanessa Montaño | Grand Finale
Welcome back! This is the grand finale. We close out our conversation talking about non-rev travel, Vanessa’s icks with pilots which turns into a full blown conversations about Crew Resource Management (CRM) Let’s go! ABOUT VANESSA Vanessa is a passionate aviation enthusiast, she shares her…
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Thunder From Down Under | Our Non-Rev Journey to Sydney | Reading your reviews and emails | Keep your seatbelt fastened! Like, really!
Wow! Can I say I performed at the Sydney Opera House? Probably not, huh? Had me a little vacation in Australia and I can’t wait for you to listen to today’s episode. I catch up on some emails and reviews, which by the way, thank you thank you so much. What are you still doing reading this?? Go…
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From Coffee Spills to Cockpit Thrills: Special Guest | Vanessa Montaño | Part 2
Welcome back, nerds! Thank you for joining me today. In this episode, we talk about the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 schools to help you make the best choice for your needs. We also discuss the ethical dilemma of compromising values for career advancement, sharing our perspectives on...
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United Jumpseater Sparks Conflict with SWA, Igniting a Battle for the jumpseat 2024 | Listener in airline training wants advice to manage stress | How to ACE your LOE
I'm thrilled about today's episode! Get ready for an intense showdown between United and SouthWest Airlines in an all-out jumpseat war. I'll dive into the gripping story of a FedEx crew's daring landing of a 767 in Turkey without its nose gear. Plus, a listener seeks advice on navigating the...
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From Coffee Spills to Cockpit Thrills: Special Guest | Vanessa Montaño | Part 1
Welcome to The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast! In today's episode, we explore how minority families can unknowingly impact our aspirations. Vanessa shares insights into the SkyWest Pathway program, offering a unique opportunity for non-pilot employees to ascend into the flight deck. Plus, we…
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FOMO Alert! | Handing Out Advice To Listeners | ERJ FOs upgrading to the CRJ at SkyWest | You missed your interview now what?
Hey there, feeling like life's got you in a rut? Well, let me tell you something – you've got way more power over your life than you give yourself credit for. In today's discussion, I’ll dig into a couple of real-life scenarios that might resonate with you. First up, imagine missing out on that…
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Professional Bag Stacker: Special Guest | Micah Vobora | Part 2
What are some of Micah’s icks? Oh.. he’ll tell you alright. Once again, we talk about the Spirit furloughs and rumors surrounding the news. Which do you like better the 737 or the A320? Apparently I’m old… which is why I think the 737 is a better looking plane. I encourage my friend Victor to...
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Answering Your Questions | Rockie’s Coach as Pilot Monitoring in United 757 | Runway incursion close calls | I refuse to tip the van driver
Hold off on the crucifixions! I tip, I swear, but spare me the Mr. Pink nickname, alright? Today, buckle up for a riveting episode where I dive into the latest news, including hair-raising near-misses at three major airports. I'll arm you with crucial mitigation tactics to keep you off the danger...
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Check Your Ego to Succeed | You just got furloughed, now what? | The declining ethics of our society
In today's episode, I explore the current trend of airlines slowing their hiring processes and discuss why the challenges faced by some carriers won't necessarily impact the entire aviation industry. But if you're facing a furlough, what's your best course of action? Should you rely on…
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Professional Bag Stacker: Special Guest | Micah Vobora | Part 1
I had so much fun talking with my friend Micah. In this first part we catch up, talk about Micah’s student pilot journey and the differences between Part 61 and 141 flight training. We also have a little fun with aviation hot takes provided by one of our listeners! About Micah: Micah, a ramp lead...
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Answering Your Questions | Army Soldier wants to pick the right airline | Favorite Overnights | Manny the Slam-Clicker?
In today’s episode I answer one of my fellow Army Soldier’s questions. He wants to make the right choice for his family so I give him some advice in picking the right airlines for them. Also, I tell you what my favorite mode of descent is in the E175 and finally I share some of my favorite...
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Special Solar Eclipse Episode: My first trip as a Captain | I’m SAD (got in trouble!) | Aviation is your second career, is it worth it?
Welcome to this special Eclipse episode; Manny’s in trouble with the Chief! Join me as I bring you up to speed on my latest adventures and take you backstage on a repo flight. Plus, I offer advice for those contemplating a career switch to aviation, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't...
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Answering Your Questions | Upgrade IOE Debrief, United KEWR Diversion and handling a prickly captain
Welcome to today's podcast episode, where I'll be tackling your questions, including strategies for dealing with a challenging captain. Additionally, I'll be offering an exclusive glimpse into my Upgrade Initial Operating Experience (UIOE) trips. We'll dive into why United Airlines opted to…
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Pushing Tin: Special Guest | Patrick DeWaal | Part 3
Welcome to the grand finale! It's time to delve into the technical aspects and witness Patrick's expertise in air traffic control. He details his use of equipment and tools at TRACON to ensure aircraft safety. We also explore controller training, staying current, and Patrick's role as an…
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Answering Your Questions | New Non-Rev Blueprint and some pilot advice for the future
What an incredible journey it's been! In this episode, I dive into topics that truly ignite my excitement. Overflowing with enthusiasm, I couldn't resist recording this episode using my iPhone. I address listener questions, share encouraging reviews, and invite others to submit their own. For…
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Pushing Tin: Special Guest | Patrick DeWaal | Part 2
In this episode we continue the conversation from part 1. Patrick highlights the importance of perseverance. He also mentions how dynamic hiring and duty station placement is. After all was said and done, Patrick ends up working in the most unlikely place, but falls deeply in love with his new…
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Pushing Tin: Special Guest | Patrick DeWaal | Part 1
Pushing Tin! If you haven’t seen the movie, you gotta go watch it. Patrick never runs out of things to talk about. In this episode we start digging at the surface to get to know how Patrick got to where he is now. You want to find out how to become an air traffic controller? Then stay tuned!…
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From Tower to NY Fashion Week: Special Guest | Rachel Mason | Part 3 of 3
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…
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From Tower to NY Fashion Week: Special Guest | Rachel Mason | Part 2 of 3
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!...
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From Tower to NY Fashion Week: Special Guest | Rachel Mason | Part 1 of 3
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!...
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Humble Pie & A Surprise!
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…
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Manny: Back from the dead
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...
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Unveiling the Turbulent Truth: How Inexperience in Aviation Industry Led to Near-Disasters
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...
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Non-rev Travel: Not for the faint of heart
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,...
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Ep06: Special Guest: Daniel Sims | Part 3 of 3
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...
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Ep06: Special Guest: Daniel Sims | Part 2 of 3
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....
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Ep06: Special Guest: Daniel Sims | Part 1 of 3
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...
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Cheating Death in Texas
In today’s episode you’ll find out what happened at Austin-Bergstrom International airport in Austin Texas! Too soon, folks too soon and too close! I also talk about stabilized approach criteria and what makes pilots “go-around” or go “missed” Want to suggest topics for future episodes, want to…
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Avoiding Disaster at JFK
Deconstructing JFK Runway Incursion Expectation Bias New Procedures at American Breakdown in CRM Pilot Training to prevent incidents (Briefings) Pilot pacing Examples of personal accounts of distractions NTSB and FAA investigating Aggressive Mediocrity Observation at Costco Common theme of the…
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Should I stay or should I go?
History of the regional model Pay scales, experience and the coltan crash in Feb 2009 What’s their purpose and how it’s changed over the years Point to point and mainline for hubs How have the regionals adapted? What’s the future of the regional model? 200 SkyWest orders and the scope clause…
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Episode 2: The one about cancellations
Thank you for all the support and your subscriptions! I really appreciate it. Subscribe, rate, leave feedback and comments on the podcast. The elephant in the room: Southwest Airlines A disaster in the making. Herb Kelleher’s airline is suffering because of profit hungry executives. Southwest IT...
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Genesis
Thank you and welcome aboard The Tailwinds & Sunshine Podcast! In today’s episode I introduce myself and give you a look at the future of this podcast.
About this show
Welcome to an aviation podcast that caters to all aviation enthusiasts, ranging from pilots to airplane spotters. Our show covers a wide range of topics, including private pilot training, airline operations, and the latest aviation news. Our knowledgeable host, an experienced airline pilot with eight years of flying under his belt, is thrilled to share his own experiences and offer valuable advice to help you pursue your aviation dreams. We are here to support you on your journey, constantly wishing you Tailwinds & Sunshine!
Hosted by
Manny Ramirez