Captain Denny Flanagan has retired from United, but apparently there are other pilots who have some fun before flights. I listened to a podcast that included a feature on a JetBlue Captain who seems to have a similar style to Captain Denny. This American Life is a radio show and podcast that I’ve been a fan of for a while. Oddly, I started listening regularly after seeing an episode on a flight. Flights are where I consume much of my content, and this was from the short time Showtime produced a TV version of the show.
“It’s a jungle back there.”
I typically listen to podcasts when running and working out. I listen to some travel related podcasts too, including our own Upgrd podcast from back in the day. One travel related episode of This American Life opened with a recording of pre-flight announcements from a JetBlue captain. Having been fortunate to have flown with United Captain Denny Flanagan twice, I couldn’t help but think they might have had the same comedy instructor. Geeky, to be sure, but I quite enjoyed it. Nice to have a crew with character, although certainly is not for everyone.
She uses humor to make nervous flyers more comfortable and to advocate for her airline. Apparently a Southwest captain inspired her to use humor during her announcements, and she even borrowed some material for her routine. Some comments I enjoyed include (mostly) lighthearted jokes about American, her favorite approach to JFK and dealing with O’Hare air traffic controllers.
Hear the Story
Follow this link to the episode.
Besides the prologue with the Captain Anne Aldrich, in this episode other segments feature stories about a speed trap near Cleveland, traffic in China and paratransit in NYC. An seemingly random mix, but very typical for This American Life. I mentioned the Upgrd podcast earlier. Does anyone else think the reporter on the story about the speed trap sounds like our own Mike Cargian?
Mixing up the Travel Routine
Air travel is just another mode of transportation, as often as I fly, it is pretty routine. I often appreciate that routine nature of it, and can get annoyed when people or things disrupt that. Still, although I only very rarely fly JetBlue, it would be fun to start a flight out like this. Just like my flights with Captain Denny, I don’t think any passengers would forget that trip.
Have you flown with Captain Anne, or another notable crew member like her?
