The Air Up There

Flying can be an exciting adventure, but for many, it comes with an unwelcome companion – stress. Whether it's a fear of flying or the anxiety of navigating busy airports, managing stress is a very real part of air travel.In our latest podcast episode, "Zen Traveler: Tips for Mastering Air Travel Stress," we spoke with Tampa International Airport’s CJ Johnson, who shares helpful tips for navigating stress at the airport. For example, did you know that many airports offer guided tours in advance of a flight to help familiarize travelers with the airport environment to ease stress on the day of travel?Plus, we talked with Kendra Blackett-Dibinga, a world traveler and owner of Bikram Yoga Works yoga and wellness studios who shared practical stretching and breathing exercises that you can even do while seated on an airplane, and how mindfulness can help us all be more conscientious travelers.Tune in for their expert advice on soaring above stress and anxiety during air travel.  With some preparation and yoga-inspired techniques, you too can elevate your travel experience.Inhale, exhale, and meditate on this final episode of Season 5 of "The Air Up There." Don’t forget to share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues to give them new tools for reducing stress on their next flight.  

Watts all this talk about lithium batteries and why are they such a hot topic when it comes to flying? You might be shocked to learn that everyday items you pack in your travel bags contain lithium batteries that can cause cabin fires. Your cell phone, laptop, tablet, and smart watch all have lithium batteries and can be potential fire hazards. On the positive side, you have the power to reduce these risks.Now that we’ve sparked your interest, listen to our latest podcast episode, “Fly Safe With Lithium Batteries” to learn more about these hazards and the steps you can take to protect yourself, fellow passengers, and the aircraft. Robert Ochs, Manager of the Fire Safety Branch at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center, offers insight into what causes lithium batteries to overheat and danger signs to look for when flying with your lithium devices. Then Jay Sorah, FAA Transportation Specialist, provides tips for safely packing lithium battery powered devices and the importance of packing them in your carry-on versus your checked bag when you fly.We charge you to think about safety when it comes to traveling with lithium battery powered devices. Pack safe, know the signs of a battery failure, and take the proper precautions to reduce risks. Be the conduit to sharing this important safety information with your traveling friends, family, and colleagues and visit www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe.  

Your alarm clock just went off and you’re rushing out the door to catch your flight. You check the weather and the flying conditions are perfect where you are – it’s about to be a great day. Yet, you check your airline reservation and… your flight is delayed? Why?Tune into our latest podcast episode, “It’s Sunny. Why is My Flight Delayed?” to discover why your flight might be delayed at your departure airport even when the weather seems fine. Plus, learn what rights you have as an airline consumer when weather is the cause of your flight delay or cancellation. USA Today's weather expert, Doyle Rice, provides tips for what you can do when booking your flight to avoid weather-related flight delays. And Blane Workie, Assistant General Counsel from the Department of Transportation's Office of Consumer Protection, has information about your consumer rights, airline guarantees, when to file a consumer complaint, and how the department uses that information to improve your flying experience.While you can’t control Mother Nature, you can take steps to minimize her potential impact on your travel plans. Remember, stay informed, plan ahead, and know your rights as a consumer. Share this episode with friends, family, and colleagues so they, too, can know what to do when bad weather strikes.  ResourcesFly.faa.gov – Flight information from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center.FAQ on Weather DelaysNational Airspace System Status – View closures, ground stops, and delays.How to File a DOT Consumer ComplaintDOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard

Hello. Bonjour. Hola. Ciao. Nǐ hǎo. Now that you’ve learned how to say hello in multiple languages, you’re ready for international travel!Wait – maybe not just yet. Do you have a passport? How long does it take to get a passport? What are the security and entry requirements for international travel? Do you know about the programs that can make your journey through the airport and into other countries seamless? If you’re up in the air about any of these questions, tune in to this podcast episode! Tune in to hear from experienced world traveler Kristin Stadum, an FAA employee who just returned from South Africa, Andres Rodriguez, the U.S. Department of State, and Caroline Tanner with The Points Guy. They talk PPP – planning, paperwork and packing for international travel. They share their tips about travel programs, what to do in the case of emergencies, and more.After this episode, you’ll be prepared to travel just about anywhere. Be sure to share with your friends, family, and colleagues. So, Bon Voyage, Gute Reise, Arrivederci, and Safe Travels!

Riddle us this! You’re a family of 4 (including a child under 2) planning to travel by plane. How many tickets should you purchase to ensure everyone’s safety? We won’t make you think too hard, the answer is 4. Your lap, though cost-saving, is not the ideal or safest place for your child on an airplane. From hangry children to unexpected clear air turbulence, a number of things can impact the mood and safety of your travel experience with kids. Mary Garton, a mom, flight attendant and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA representative gave us the real on the important safety role of flight attendants, the reasons why parents should consider using a government-approved safety seat or device for a young child, and tips to keep kids occupied, happy and safe.

Making plans to fly with your kids? Do you know what to pack, how to pack it, and how to get through the security line seamlessly? Check in first with the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration by listening to our latest ‘The Air Up There’ podcast episode.TSA – The Suitcase Advisors? Actually, we have a lot in common with TSA’s Emily Bonilla-Pieton and Lisa Farbstein: we’re parents, love air travel, safety and security. They joined us for our “Flying With Kids: Tips From TSA” episode to offer you practical advice for packing your bags and getting through the security line effortlessly.After this episode, you’ll be a pro at finding surprise “no-no” items that your kids sneak into the luggage before you leave the house (and not in the security line), what snacks to pack and the best place to put them, what to do if your child safety seat doesn’t fit in the security scanning machine and more! It’s all in the planning and it starts at home. Walk out your door confidently for your next trip with the kids. Share this episode with other parents to help make their journey through the airport easy-peasy (lemon squeezy).    

Air travel can be challenging, especially when you add your kids in the mix. You can do this!How do you get them through security, navigate the airport and then quickly carry them, your bags AND their car seat down the plane aisle to get to your seats? Do you know the safest way for a child under 2 to fly? How do you prepare your little ones to know what to expect so you can, hopefully, prevent a meltdown on the plane? These are all valid questions, and we’ve got answers.Tune into our latest The Air Up There podcast episode, “Flying With Kids: Tips From An Expert.” This episode’s conversation is with Michelle Pratt, an experienced traveler with kids, founder of Safe in the Seat, and a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Expert. This hilarious, relatable, and informative dialogue about the joys and stresses of flying with kids will have you eager to try out her air travel tips and tricks so your family’s next flight is more enjoyable.Share this episode with your friends and family and start flying with kids like a pro.ResourcesFlying with Children

The average person probably has no idea what the FAA’s Technical Operations, or Tech Ops, employees do or what an adventure the profession can be. And by adventure, we mean wild beasts, volcanoes, and camping in the middle of nowhere!In the latest ‘The Air Up There’ podcast episode, “Adventures in Safety,” we talk about the extreme nature of Tech Ops and the great lengths our technicians go to maintain the airspace infrastructure so  pilots can fly safely and air traffic controllers can communicate with pilots. Warning – the content in this episode may cause wide eyes, a fast heartbeat, and shock. Listen in to hear stories from experienced technicians Jeremy Withrow and Charles Barclay, who have maintained flight navigation equipment in the unique – and extreme – environments of arctic Alaska, Hawaii and California desert. If you’re down for an adventure, you may develop a newfound interest in an exciting Tech Ops career. Nevertheless, you will walk away from this episode with a much higher appreciation for these unsung heroes! If you’re #TeamAdventure and #TeamSafety, visit faa.gov/jobs to learn about the career and check out our job openings to see where you could be an asset to our national airspace system. And if you liked this episode, please share.

Imagine you're a passenger on a small plane and your pilot becomes unconscious. What would you do? That was the reality for Darren Harrison when the pilot on his plane went unconscious mid-flight on May 10. Darren had to quickly transition from a passenger to a pilot with absolutely no flying experience.Take a deep breath as we walk you through that exact experience we've dubbed "Miracle in the Air" in the latest episode of our podcast. It was a team effort to land the plane safely, and we caught up with some of the key players.Tune in to hear from Fort Pierce Tower air traffic controller Chip Flores and supervisor Justin Boyle, who took the initial emergency call from Harrison that day; as well as Palm Beach Air Traffic manager Ryan Warren, Palm Beach controller/Flight Instructor Robert Morgan, and Domestic Event Network manager Joe Heuser, each had a significant role throughout the ordeal.This episode highlights the very important role of an air traffic controller and related safety professionals. Without their experience and quick thinking, the miracle in the air could have ended differently.The FAA is seeking applicants to take on the challenging and highly rewarding job of an air traffic controller. 

Mental Health Awareness Month is almost over, but our care and concern for the emotional, psychological and social well-being of pilots continues. We receive so many comments on our social media platforms regarding pilots' concerns about mental health. We see you, and in the latest episode of our podcast, we clear the air about misconceptions around mental health and flying.The FAA continues to make improvements around policies, testing, treatments and approved medication for pilots. Tune in to hear from Dr. Susan Northrup, FAA's Federal Air Surgeon, and learn more about the transparent process pilots can expect during their individual health assessments. You'll also hear from Ellen Brinks, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Aeromedical Chair, who leads ALPA's Pilot Support Program.It is imperative for pilots to understand that it is okay to ask for help. Seeking help puts them on the right path to getting better so they can continue their passion for flying in the safest way possible.Share this important episode with pilots in your network. In the words of Jerry Crawford, To most people, the sky is the limit. To those in aviation, the sky is home. We want to make sure pilots get the help they need and deserve so that they can always feel at home.