E348: Nick Fialka's Unconventional Path and Interview Secrets

E348: Nick Fialka's Unconventional Path and Interview Secrets

Not every pilot's journey starts with dreams of flight—some begin with a challenge and a bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Fialka, captain at a major airline, host of the Ready for Pushback podcast, and interview coach at Spitfire Elite. Nick's path to the cockpit is anything but conventional. From attending The Citadel (not exactly known for churning out pilots) to flying helicopters in the Navy, then leaving it all to build a successful RV park in Florida—Nick thought the airlines weren't in his future.

That changed when a retired Delta captain rolled into his RV park with a $700,000 rig and convinced him over whiskey that he belonged at 35,000 feet.

We dive deep into what it really takes to land a job at a major airline in today's market. Nick pulls back the curtain on the interview process, sharing the mistakes that sink applications before they're even read, the logbook disasters that cost pilots their dream jobs, and why spending $600 on interview prep for a $22 million career is the easiest decision you'll ever make.

We also tackle the reality of aviation's boom-and-bust cycles, what the 2026 hiring landscape looks like, and why even the most senior pilots need to keep one eye on their next move. Whether you're building hours at a regional, prepping for your first major airline interview, or just trying to figure out if this career is right for you—this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable advice.

Plus, Nick shares why leading with empathy beats canned answers every time, and how your attitude might matter more than your flight time.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(367)

E361: Electric Planes, Forest Fires & Vancouver Island: A Canadian Pilot's Unconventional Path

E361: Electric Planes, Forest Fires & Vancouver Island: A Canadian Pilot's Unconventional Path

Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener...

28 Mai 1h 3min

E360: No Pilot's License, No Problem: How Marci Veronie Climbed to the Top of Aviation Without Ever Leaving the Ground

E360: No Pilot's License, No Problem: How Marci Veronie Climbed to the Top of Aviation Without Ever Leaving the Ground

Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener...

19 Mai 53min

E359: The End of Spirit Airlines: What Happened, What's Next, and What It Means for Pilots

E359: The End of Spirit Airlines: What Happened, What's Next, and What It Means for Pilots

Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2 at 3am, and in this episode Justin sits down with Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to unpack what happened an...

7 Mai 51min

E358: Spirit Going Under? United-American Rumors & 2026 Pilot Hiring Forecast — Jim Higgins Returns

E358: Spirit Going Under? United-American Rumors & 2026 Pilot Hiring Forecast — Jim Higgins Returns

🎙️ Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot list...

28 Apr 1h 5min

E357: Evan Davis - How Flying Saved My Life

E357: Evan Davis - How Flying Saved My Life

NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call  (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco...

23 Apr 1h 26min

E356: From SWAT to Corporate Jet Pilot - How Josh Changed Careers and Built a Life in Aviation

E356: From SWAT to Corporate Jet Pilot - How Josh Changed Careers and Built a Life in Aviation

NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call  (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco...

14 Apr 1h 13min

E355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions

E355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions

Most pilots dream of smooth 10,000-foot runways.Tyler Flagg trained to land a 30,000-pound aircraft on a 25-foot dirt strip… in total darkness.After 9/11 changed his life trajectory, Tyler went from z...

3 Mar 1h 9min

Ep. 354: Trent Palmer | FAA Called On Me Twice, Lost My License, and Almost Quit Flying

Ep. 354: Trent Palmer | FAA Called On Me Twice, Lost My License, and Almost Quit Flying

He's the most-requested guest in Pilot to Pilot history — and the wait was worth it. Trent Palmer, recreational bush pilot and one of aviation's most recognized YouTube creators, finally sits down wit...

24 Feb 1h 26min

Populært innen Fritid

rss-spartsklubben
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
interiorradet
mil-etter-mil-en-podcast-om-bil
nerdelandslaget
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
rss-gatebilpodden
jegerpodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
level-backup
rss-avskiltet
0-100-med-broom-mats-og-remi
rss-jegerpodden
hagespiren-podcast
rss-jeg-fikser-vin
klokkepodden
menn-uten-midje-kan-ogsa-lese
grontpodden
fjellsportpodden
rss-hestenes-klan