Ever wonder how those wild aviation headlines actually come together, and what’s really going on behind the scenes when travel chaos hits the news? This week, we’re recording *on location* in New York City and flipping the script with someone who usually asks us the questions. We’re joined by consumer travel reporter Zach Wichter, and trust us, this one is packed with insight, laughs, and plenty of “oh wow, that tracks” moments.

We dig into passenger behavior, TikTok “travel hacks,” accessibility issues, and why everything in aviation always comes back to safety. From crazy inflight stories to how travel journalism actually works at USA Today, this conversation hits that sweet spot between informative and wildly relatable. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the seatbelt sign being ignored—or wondered why you can’t just move to an empty seat—this episode is for you.

This episode of the Two Guys on a Plane Podcast was recorded on site at the USA Today Bureau in New York City, NY.

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Episode Highlights:

[0:00] We kick things off with real (and unhinged) aviation headlines that prove we can’t make this stuff up.
[2:18] Zach shares a truly horrifying passenger story involving bare feet, armrests, and lifelong trauma.
[4:00] We dig into how Zach accidentally found his way into aviation and travel journalism.
[6:00] Talking flight anxiety, routines, and why knowing too much can make you a worse passenger.
[8:14] How aviation stories get written—breaking news vs. consumer travel advice.
[10:31] Balancing passenger outrage with airline reality (and why safety is always the subtext).
[16:55] TikTok travel hacks: why we’re not buying them and how they create more chaos than comfort.
[19:15] Hate mail, frequent flyer bragging, and what reader feedback really looks like.
[22:52] A deep dive into flight attendant history and why the role has always been about safety.
[28:11] Accessibility, damaged wheelchairs, and why airlines still aren’t doing enough.
[33:42] Why you can’t just move to an empty seat—and why this story struck a nerve.
[37:35] Disruptive passengers, post-COVID behavior, and why crews act fast now.
[43:36] Zach’s biggest passenger pet peeves (spoiler: seatbelts and headphones).
[45:43] Travel habits that actually make flying easier—no “hacks” required.
[52:05] Flight attendant pet peeves, favorite things crews do, and long-winded an

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This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show!

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Ever think about the firsts that shape a career? In this episode, we’re taking a nostalgic stroll down memory lane and talking about the moments that made us who we are as flight attendants. From first trips and first layovers to the early chaos, nerves, and excitement that come with being brand new, we’re reflecting on why—despite the complaining—we really do love this job.

Along the way, we get real about turbulence, crew bonding, passenger moments that stick with you forever, and those times when flying reminds you just how lucky we are to do what we do. If you’ve ever wondered what flight attendants actually think about their jobs—or you just want a heartfelt, funny look behind the galley curtain—this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights:

[0:21] Taking a stroll down memory lane and why we’re talking about flight attendant “firsts”
[1:00] Catching up on recent flying, vacations, and the irony of jet lag
[3:24] Drew’s very first flight as a flight attendant—and being thrown into the deep end
[5:53] Rich’s IOE chaos and realizing this career might always be a little unhinged
[7:44] First real working trips, baby buses, and why some airplanes feel like home
[10:23] Our first truly scary turbulence stories and why we nag about seatbelts
[15:58] Passenger interactions that remind us we’re part of something bigger
[20:33] First “wow” hotel rooms…and the ones with way too many bunk beds
[22:51] Crew scheduling disasters and saying “no thank you” to a 4 a.m. phone call
[25:57] Using flight benefits to do the impossible—like flying to Japan for lunch
[31:23] The first time we really had to rely on our training
[37:19] The moments that make us think, “God, I love this job”
[39:01] Advice we’d give our first-day flight attendant selves

Thoughts on this episode? Text us!

Support the show

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This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Download StaffTraveler

✈

Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show!

Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story

✈

We love people and we love to travel... no, seriously! Want to join us on one of our upcoming group trips? Check out the link below for current trips!

Travel With Us

✈

We couldn’t do it without you! As independent podcasters, we rely on audience support to keep our show going. Join our community at the link below for exclusive content, early access, behind-the-scenes footage, and more!

Join Us on Patreon

In this episode, we decided to flip the script a bit. You hear us complain about passengers all the time—on the podcast, on the jumpseat, in the galley, everywhere. So today, we handed the mic to you: the passengers. We asked what flight attendants do that drives you nuts, and wow… you did not hold back. From safety announcements you swear are unintelligible, to overhead bin drama, to call bells, credit card pitches, bad perfume, and everything in between—you told us exactly how you feel, and we’re diving right into it.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Two Guys episode if we didn’t get sidetracked ranting about our own recent flights, telling wild stories from the aisle, and laughing at the absolutely unbelievable stuff people do at 35,000 feet. And yes—we even squeeze in a round of galley gossip that may or may not involve a cowboy hat, Stampede Week, and a full-on swan dive in an airport arrivals hall. Buckle up… this one gets chaotic.

Tap here to read the original post on Threads!

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] Opening the conversation: what you hate about flight attendants
[1:22] Drew’s chaotic week: strollers, messes, and aisle-walking mayhem
[4:37] Rich’s “is that the last bag of chips?” galley encounter
[6:00] The guy who straight-up ate Drew’s salad
[7:10] Your complaints begin: announcements no one can understand
[8:54] Half cups of water and why it might be your doing
[10:39] Credit card pitches—love them or hate them
[12:14] Babies in the aisle and why bumps happen
[13:43] Overhead bin accusations: are we lying?
[15:44] Call bells: why we don’t always see them right away
[18:30] Trash collection etiquette and “you missed me!”
[20:03] Peanut allergies and misunderstood “lectures”
[22:01] Handling rude passengers when airlines won’t back us
[23:44] Bag lifting: what we legally can’t do for you
[25:17] Yes, you are interrupting our break in the galley
[27:02] Sweat, perfume, and the reality of polyester at 35,000 feet
[29:41] The gin-and-tonic eyebrow raise—when alcohol becomes a concern
[31:21] Bulkhead bins and why crew bags sometimes go there
[33:27] No photos of the crew—please stop doing that
[34:27] Loud galley talk on night flights: we explain
[35:47] “You ski

Thoughts on this episode? Text us!

Support the show

✈

This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Download StaffTraveler

✈

Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show!

Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story

✈

We love people and we love to travel... no, seriously! Want to join us on one of our upcoming group trips? Check out the link below for current trips!

Travel With Us

✈

We couldn’t do it without you! As independent podcasters, we rely on audience support to keep our show going. Join our community at the link below for exclusive content, early access, behind-the-scenes footage, and more!

Join Us on Patreon