Two Guys on a Plane

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.
Watch this episode on YouTube!
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
Thoughts on this episode? Text us!
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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
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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!
Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story
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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
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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!
✈
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 skipped me!”—how service actually works
[37:47] Galley Gossip: Stampede Week, a cowboy hat
Thoughts on this episode? Text us!
✈
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’re diving headfirst into the chaos, comfort, and absolute craziness of spending the holidays as flight attendants—and we brought two of our favorite people along for the ride. We’re joined by our friends and fellow crew members, Bre ane Caleb, who have somehow managed to turn missed holidays, graveyard-view hotel rooms, and granola-bar “Christmas dinners” into some of the most magical traditions we’ve ever experienced.

Together, we talk about the wild layovers that shaped us, the unexpected friendships that kept us sane, and how creating our own traditions—like our now-annual Christmas market trips—has turned some of the hardest moments of the job into the ones we cherish most. Grab your glühwein, buckle in, and get in the holiday spirit with us.

Want to join us on our next Christmas Market trip!? We’re going to Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in 2026! Tap here to learn more!
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Episode Highlights: 
[2:01] Caleb’s legendary “baby gun” passenger story
 [4:22] Bri’s unforgettable mid-flight wetsuit moment
 [7:54] How we all randomly met (and re-met) in Budapest
 [9:42] Champagne in coach & the accidental birth of a friendship
 [12:18] Caleb & Rich trauma-bond on a truly awful layover
 [13:44] Holiday layovers from graveyards to granola-bar “dinners”
 [15:21] A senior mama turns Fourth of July into pure magic
 [17:12] The Christmas dinner that wasn’t free… until it wasn’t
 [19:16] How Caleb & Bri started their Christmas market tradition
 [20:55] Why slowing down at holiday markets keeps us coming back
 [23:04] The first market trip we crashed—Drew becomes obsessed
 [25:21] Caleb’s bar-fight scar (and why he earned it)
 [26:55] Keeping traditions alive even as seniority shifts
 [28:29] This year’s destination reveal: Innsbruck, Austria
 [29:58] Why small-town Christmas markets feel like instant community
 [31:31] Tips for junior crew spending holidays away from home
 [33:22] Drew’s go-to holiday hack: pack your favorite dish for a galley feast
 [35:40] BIG announcement: Our 2026 group Christmas market trip
 [37:15] Lightning-round cross-check with Caleb & Bri
 [41:05] Final thoughts & where to find more behind-the-scenes chaos
Thoughts on this episode? Text us!
✈
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

Ever wonder what it’s like to fly the skies on a whim, hopscotching from one city (or country!) to another without a confirmed seat in sight? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the wild, wonderful world of non-rev adventures — the ultimate flight attendant perk. From unexpected detours to last-minute jaunts across the globe, we’re sharing our favorite standby travel stories and tips for how to navigate the chaos with humor and heart.
We’re spilling all the tea on the perks (and perils) of standby flying, including how we once jet-set to Paris for a croissant and how an Uber across state lines helped Rich hit his 50th state just in time. Whether you're a seasoned staff traveler or just curious about how flight crews make the most of their benefits, this episode is packed with laughs, travel inspo, and a healthy dose of galley gossip.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Episode Highlights:
[0:21] Why we became flight attendants (hint: free flights)
 [1:09] The chaos of holiday travel and how to survive it
 [2:15] Drew’s uncle gets a rude awakening about buying standby tickets
 [4:48] Rich’s unforgettable birthday flight to San Juan and why crew love crew
 [7:45] The beauty of reciprocal travel agreements among airlines
 [8:39] Drew’s Boston-to-Vegas pivot: why winter weather can't stop a standby trip
 [13:01] Winning the non-rev game: rerouting through Vegas to beat the crowd home
 [14:50] How StaffTraveler saved our Minneapolis concert plans
 [16:21] The breakfast-in-Paris trip that almost derailed our wedding planning
 [18:50] Rich’s epic quest to hit all 50 states — including an Uber across the Dakotas
 [22:46] Our whirlwind 7-country vacation and why Egypt blew us away
 [24:03] Pro tips for newbie non-revs: buffer days, backup plans, and bathroom couches
 [25:00] Galley Gossip: The “cloud” coming from the engine that wasn’t
Thoughts on this episode? Text us!
✈
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