In this compelling episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with aviation leader and soon-to-be bestselling author, Nate Glover, to explore his dynamic career and experiences during one of the industry’s most challenging periods—the COVID-19 pandemic. Nate shares his journey from his beginnings at Continental Airlines and JetBlue, to his time with Norwegian, and finally, his pivotal role at Menzies Aviation in Canada.

Nate details the trials of managing operations during the pandemic, including the heartbreaking task of laying off hundreds of employees, navigating ever-changing airline demands, and rebuilding teams from the ground up. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of ground handling operations, the importance of safety and adaptability, and the leadership lessons he learned during a historic crisis.

Nate also discusses his debut book, Trust the Process: Navigating Leadership Through the Pandemic, which chronicles his experiences and offers actionable insights for leaders in any industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, aviation, or crisis management.

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In this episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass welcomes aviation veteran Sandra Pineau-Boddison to discuss her remarkable career spanning decades in airline catering, onboard services, and customer experience. From her humble beginnings managing a cafeteria at Chelsea Catering to becoming Vice President at Continental Airlines and later leading critical roles through the Continental-United merger, Sandra shares stories of iconic cheeseburgers, evolving passenger expectations, and comfort food in the skies. She highlights the challenges of IROPs, aligning cultures during mergers, and delivering seamless customer experiences across regional and international fleets. Now serving as Chair at Intervine, a company specializing in wine, beverages, and snacks for airlines and cruise lines, Sandra discusses how the pandemic reshaped the industry and how Intervine continues to innovate post-COVID.

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In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with David Hailey, the founder of Countifi, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming inventory management in the airline industry. Drawing on years of experience as an auditor for major airlines like Delta, David shares how he identified inefficiencies in onboard services and turned them into opportunities for improvement. He discusses Countify's innovative approach to counting and analyzing onboard inventory using AI-powered image recognition, which drastically reduces waste and improves accuracy.

David dives deep into the challenges airlines face in balancing cost efficiency with customer satisfaction and how Countify is helping solve these problems. From managing catering waste to optimizing menu planning, the insights shared in this episode highlight the critical role technology plays in modern aviation. Whether you're an industry professional or a curious traveler, this conversation sheds light on the fascinating intersection of logistics, sustainability, and innovation in the skies.

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Simon Soni, a veteran in the world of airline catering, joins the Open Skies Podcast to take us on an in-depth journey behind the scenes of in-flight dining. With over 30 years of experience at iconic airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and WestJet, Simon shares the evolution of airline meals—from basic reheated trays to premium, five-star offerings at 30,000 feet.

In this episode, Simon also touches on the future of in-flight service, including the role of AI, the growing demand for customization, and the challenges hybrid airlines face in balancing costs with quality. Whether it’s ensuring a perfect cottage pie or adapting to the rise of shelf-stable meals, Simon's expertise offers a unique glimpse into this often-overlooked facet of aviation. If you've ever wondered how your favorite airline meal came to be or how airlines aim to surprise and delight their passengers, this episode is a must-listen!

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In this insightful episode of the Jump Seat Podcast, host Chris Glass is joined by Liz Baring from Embross and Ryan Potter from WestJet to explore the rapidly evolving world of airport self-service technology.

The conversation delves into WestJet’s innovative self-serve bag drop, the transition from manual check-ins to mobile-first solutions, and how technologies like AI and biometrics are shaping the future of air travel.

With a focus on improving the customer experience and speeding up airport processes, this episode highlights the partnership between WestJet and Embross and their vision for the future of airports. Tune in to learn how these advancements are setting the standard for the industry.

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Join us for a captivating journey through the skies as we welcome Charles Duncan, a seasoned veteran of the airline industry, to the Open Skies podcast. Charles's career takes off in 1996 at Continental Airlines, where his innovative approach to pricing and revenue management sets the stage for his future successes. His stories from Guam, with Continental Micronesia, offer a glimpse into the vibrant expansion of tourism and aviation in the Pacific. Charles's hands-on experiences, from observing gate agents to fostering tourism, paint a vivid picture of a dynamic industry.

Our conversation soars to Canada as Charles recounts his transformative tenure as President of WestJet Encore. Navigating the vast Canadian geography, building a robust fleet, and engaging with communities across 38 cities, he shares personal anecdotes that highlight the nuances of leading a regional airline. From being recognized for his "American swagger" to pioneering profitability initiatives, these stories underscore the challenges and triumphs of aviation leadership. Learn how a simple post-it note became a tool for innovation as we aimed to enhance fuel efficiency and financial performance.

As we confront the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussion pivots to the resilience of the airline industry. Charles' at WestJet and Norse Atlantic reveal the strategic maneuvering required to sustain operations amidst unprecedented challenges. Reflecting on Canadian aviation policy, we question the competitive landscape, regulatory frameworks, and the need for reform. The legacy of industry leaders like Ben Baldanza serves as a poignant reminder of the influence and inspiration that drive us forward in this ever-evolving sector. Join us for an insightful exploration of aviation's past, present, and future.





Transcript:

Chriss GlassHost

00:00

Hi and welcome to the Open Skies podcast. This is our very first standalone podcast on our own, two feet again, and I am with my guest, charles Duncan. Charles, welcome to the pod.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:13

Chris, thanks for having me. It's great to be here and I love the name Open Skies. Many different meanings and all of them positive. So great to be here. So great to be here.

Chriss GlassHost

00:22

Well, I have fond memories of X1 Get One and moving people around on the old Open Skies platform that we used to use way back in the day. So I have fond memories of the name and that's one of the good reasons why we chose it.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:37

That's awesome.

Chriss GlassHost

00:38

So, charles, you were my absolute first podcast guest on the very first pod that I, the very first version of the pod that we were doing, so I felt it'd be fitting to have you back again for our first standalone on Open Skies.

Charles DuncanGuest

00:54

Well, thank you, I don't think I realized I was your first guest. I mean I remember that very well and I mean, sadly, you had pizza, I think some good Alberta beer. I mean it was an enjoyable evening, I remember it well and anyway. So I'm honored, it's a privilege and I'm excited to see where you take the podcast you know now as an independent Open Skies entity. It's exciting. But thank you, thanks for having me and it's great to join you tonight thank you, thanks for having me and it's great to join you tonight.

Chriss GlassHost

01:30

Well, one of the things we want to do is tell kind of the untold stories behind the industry we love. Right Like you are a lifetime airline guy and you've seen and done it all from low-cost carriers to transatlantic, to a combination between both, so this fits really really well. So I'd

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In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast host Chris Glass takes listeners on location to the Abbotsford Airport, where he sits down with Parm Sidhu, the airport's General Manager. Parm shares his incredible journey from a Zamboni driver to the helm of one of Canada's fastest-growing airports.
The conversation delves into the unique aspects of Abbotsford Airport, including its history, growth, and innovative approach to becoming an ultra low-cost airport. Parm discusses the airport’s early days, the impact of WestJet, and how Abbotsford has adapted to changes in the aviation industry over the years.
Listeners will gain insights into the importance of partnerships, the influence of technology, and how the airport plans to handle future growth without expanding its physical footprint. Join Chris and Parm for a deep dive into the strategies and innovations that are driving Abbotsford Airport's success and learn how this dynamic airport is setting new standards in the aviation industry.

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In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with James Wong, Senior Vice President at Menzies, to discuss his fascinating career in aviation. From his early days in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets to pivotal roles at WestJet and his current position leading Menzies’ operations in Southeast Asia, James shares valuable insights into the industry. They explore the evolution of big data in aviation, the challenges of managing global operations, and the growing opportunities in the Southeast Asian market, particularly in cargo. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of aviation and the lessons James has learned from his diverse experiences around the world.

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