Candid Cockpit Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:56:15 -0500 http://www.candidcockpit.com en-us © 2026 Candid Cockpit yes 9f9661fb-a910-56aa-9ad3-57c7f3cb5fe8 Les Abend/Mike Strauss episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Les Abend/Mike Strauss https://storage.buzzsprout.com/10d5581c2r8cgtrmumbvxryavrdx?.jpg Candid Cockpit http://www.candidcockpit.com Episode 12***Explosives on board***Pilot on call***Deadheading pilots*** Episode 12***Explosives on board***Pilot on call***Deadheading pilots*** Who would bring explosives on board an airplane and what are the consequences?  What's it like being a pilot on-call?  Why are those uniformed pilots sitting in a passenger seat?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Who would bring explosives on board an airplane and what are the consequences?  What's it like being a pilot on-call?  Why are those uniformed pilots sitting in a passenger seat?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12470831 Tue, 21 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1494 1 12 full false EPISODE 11**Close-calls safety trend**Crew Schedule**ATC communication EPISODE 11**Close-calls safety trend**Crew Schedule**ATC communication Are the close-calls and other airplane events in the news reflective of a negative safety trend?  What function does crew schedule have with pilots?  What communication with air traffic controllers is involved on the ground?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Are the close-calls and other airplane events in the news reflective of a negative safety trend?  What function does crew schedule have with pilots?  What communication with air traffic controllers is involved on the ground?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12433348 Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400 2262 1 11 full false Episode 10--Turbulence--Airline family life--Avoiding vertigo Episode 10--Turbulence--Airline family life--Avoiding vertigo Is turbulence dangerous and how do pilots avoid it?  How is family life affected by airline pilot schedules?  How do pilots deal with vertigo when flying in the clouds?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Is turbulence dangerous and how do pilots avoid it?  How is family life affected by airline pilot schedules?  How do pilots deal with vertigo when flying in the clouds?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12363799 Tue, 07 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500 2012 1 10 full false Episode 9//Ballon shoot-outs//On being a Captain//Contrails vs Chem trails Episode 9//Ballon shoot-outs//On being a Captain//Contrails vs Chem trails Are balloons hazardous to airplane safety?  What's it like to be an airline captain?  Are contrails in the sky actually chem trails?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Are balloons hazardous to airplane safety?  What's it like to be an airline captain?  Are contrails in the sky actually chem trails?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12340761 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500 2043 1 9 full false Episode 8/Southwest Airlines Cancellations/Being a copilot/Pilots saving fuel Episode 8/Southwest Airlines Cancellations/Being a copilot/Pilots saving fuel Can the Holiday travel disaster of flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines happen again, or can it be prevented?  What is it like to be an airline copilot?  How do pilots conserve fuel on their flights?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Can the Holiday travel disaster of flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines happen again, or can it be prevented?  What is it like to be an airline copilot?  How do pilots conserve fuel on their flights?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12279575 Tue, 21 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500 2299 1 8 full false Episode 7/In-flight fire/Airport Navigation/Controller language Episode 7/In-flight fire/Airport Navigation/Controller language How dangerous was a laptop fire on board a United Flight that departed San Diego?
How do pilots find their way around an airport?  How difficult is it to understand the language of air traffic controllers?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> How dangerous was a laptop fire on board a United Flight that departed San Diego?
How do pilots find their way around an airport?  How difficult is it to understand the language of air traffic controllers?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12247475 Mon, 13 Feb 2023 22:00:00 -0500 2091 1 7 full false Episode 6/Nepal accident/First flight/Pilot Preflight Prep Episode 6/Nepal accident/First flight/Pilot Preflight Prep Was mountainous terrain to blame for the accident in Nepal?  What was it like to fly the first trip as an airline pilot?  What exactly is involved for airline pilots to prepare for a trip from the time they enter the airport to when they enter the cockpit?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Was mountainous terrain to blame for the accident in Nepal?  What was it like to fly the first trip as an airline pilot?  What exactly is involved for airline pilots to prepare for a trip from the time they enter the airport to when they enter the cockpit?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12201361 Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500 3707 1 6 full false Episode 5/JFK Runway Incursion/Pilot Hiring/Alternate diversions Episode 5/JFK Runway Incursion/Pilot Hiring/Alternate diversions What were the circumstances behind the near-tragedy at JFK?  What qualifications does your pilot have?  What happens in the cockpit during a diversion to an alternate airport?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> What were the circumstances behind the near-tragedy at JFK?  What qualifications does your pilot have?  What happens in the cockpit during a diversion to an alternate airport?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Buzzsprout-12154390 Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0500 5140 1 5 full false Welcome Aboard Intro Episode Welcome Aboard Intro Episode  What is Candid Cockpit all about?  Why would you want to listen before you fly? Who are Mike and Les?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]>  What is Candid Cockpit all about?  Why would you want to listen before you fly? Who are Mike and Les?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12004213 Sun, 15 Jan 2023 18:00:00 -0500 273 1 0 full false Episode 4/Pilot shortage/Licenses & Ratings/Push Back Ops Episode 4/Pilot shortage/Licenses & Ratings/Push Back Ops Is there really a pilot shortage and how is it solved?  What type of licenses do pilots need in their possession.  What's really happening during a push back operation from the gate?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Is there really a pilot shortage and how is it solved?  What type of licenses do pilots need in their possession.  What's really happening during a push back operation from the gate?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12004304 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2986 1 4 full false Episode 3/737 MAX/Civilian or Military Pilots/Training & Currency Episode 3/737 MAX/Civilian or Military Pilots/Training & Currency Is the 737 MAX safe to fly?  Who's the better pilot:  Civilian trained or Military trained?  What's involved with pilot training and pilot currency?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Is the 737 MAX safe to fly?  Who's the better pilot:  Civilian trained or Military trained?  What's involved with pilot training and pilot currency?

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12004278 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2565 1 3 full false Episode 2/Mandatory retirement age change/Early beginnings/Landing a large jet Episode 2/Mandatory retirement age change/Early beginnings/Landing a large jet Would changing the airline pilot mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 create more problems than it helps?  How Les and Mike got their experience.  Humor-filled discussion on how to land a big jet.

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Would changing the airline pilot mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 create more problems than it helps?  How Les and Mike got their experience.  Humor-filled discussion on how to land a big jet.

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12004246 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2653 1 2 full false Episode 1/Delays & Cancellations/Why we fly?/Layovers Episode 1/Delays & Cancellations/Why we fly?/Layovers Reasons for delays & cancellations.  Inspiration for becoming airline pilots.  Crew layover considerations.

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Reasons for delays & cancellations.  Inspiration for becoming airline pilots.  Crew layover considerations.

EMAIL: podcast@candidcockpit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@candidcockpit

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lesabend

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=candid%20cockpit

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/candidcockpit/

Don't get on an airplane unless you've listened to Candid Cockpit!

]]> Les Abend/Mike Strauss Buzzsprout-12004224 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:00:00 -0500 2440 1 1 full false